Carlton County fair kicks off today

After being canceled last year due to Covid-19, the Carlton County fair is back, running Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 19-22. There are many different activities and sights for locals to enjoy, including the various animal shows, different types of auto racing, horseracing, live performances and so much more.

The gate fee is $8, ages 6-11 get in for $3, and children age 5 and under enter for free. Saturday is military day. Any military veteran and spouse get in for free.

"It's exciting to have the fair back this year. I think people are happy and ready to get out and get back to normal this year," fair manager Lindsey Larson said.

Fair workers have been working hard to get everything ready, painting buildings and setting up the arena for its many shows.

Larson shared some highlights of the fair this weekend.

"We are doing laser tag all four days and we are having reptiles all four days, we have 4-H in the barns and open class as well," she said.

The fair has a lot of new entertainment. Street Talk will perform Friday at the pavilion. They are also bringing back the teen dance Saturday night at the pavilion. Whiskey Trail is the featured band on Sunday night.

As for Covid-19 precautions, fair officials have added more hand washing stations and hand sanitizer around the fairgrounds. Almost everything has a hands-free option.

As he was touching up the paint on the Old Schoolhouse, board member James Calhoun said how excited and relieved he was for the fair to come back this year.

"It's great to have it back, I think the people need this and they want to get back to normal the best they can," he said.

Want to know more? Check out the fair schedule on Page 4 of this week's Pine Knot News or visit carltoncountyfairmn.com.