The Midway Carnival has packed up and left town, the record-breaking crowds have scattered and the smell of greasy fair foods has dissipated.  All that is left of the 2026 Dunn County Fair “Denim Jeans and Country Dreams” are photographs, memories and colorful ribbons adorning the wall of 4-H’ers and Open Class participants across the county.

The Dunn County Fair was packed full of exciting entertainment, thrilling rides and delicious foods this year.  But tucked inside the Fanetti Ice Arena and surrounding barns are the real unsung heroes of the fair; 2,422 projects that had been carefully curated by 324 different exhibitors of Dunn County.  Whether that project was carried, rolled or walked in, there were many interesting things to see around every corner.

The Dunn County Dog Project kicked off the fair events as their scent work judging was held during the blistering heat the week before the fair gates opened.  Exhibitors filled the Fanetti Ice Arena on Tuesday with nervous anticipation as they presented their non-animal exhibits amongst the competition.  Animals filed into their stalls Wednesday morningand the fair officially kicked off by that afternoon.  Livestock shows filled arenas across the fairgrounds the remainder of the week. The energy in those arenas was electrifying!

Congratulations to all of the exhibitors, ages 2-99, who submitted entries at this year’s Dunn County Fair.  (Yes, there was a two-year-old who exhibited a steer with his dad in the Beef Summer Showdown show!). Those exhibitors belong to one of our 11 county 4-H clubs, six project clubs, the open class (an all-inclusive group who doesn’t belong to one of the 17 aforementioned groups) or the Senior Citizen class  (62 years young or older!).  It wouldn’t have been a fair without them.

Even though these pictures highlight Awards of Excellence, Judges’ Choice and livestock winners, accolades go out to all exhibitors for bringing their best to the fair all week long. Their creativity, craftsmanship, and showmanship were inspiring to everyone who took the time to watch.

There is always room for more so plan on joining in on the fun next year!  For more information on Dunn County 4-H, please reach out to Zachary Rozmiarek, 4-H Educator for Dunn County.  Any person looking to exhibit at the Dunn County Fair who isn’t a member of 4-H or a Project Club is invited to enter under the Open Class.  Details and instructions on how to exhibit can be found online on the Dunn County website.

We’ll see your exhibit at next year’s fair!

Leslie Schmidt is an MHS Special Educator, General Co-Leader of Willing Workers 4-H Club  and a Dunn County Fair Enthusiast.