Your Complete Guide to the 71st Annual Dubuque County Fair

The 71st Annual Dubuque County Fair gets underway on Tuesday, July 23th and runs through the 38th. Since moving to Dubuque, I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Fair in back-to-back years. Last year, I had a blast seeing old and new faces, and hanging with Ken Peiffer at the 103.3 WJOD tent for multiple days in a row.

Every year, the tireless Dubuque County Fairgrounds staff helps put together a jam-packed week of fun events, great food, and of course, musical acts. I've decided to break down the major happenings for each day of the fair. Scroll for the full schedule!

Tuesday, July 23rd (Free Day):

The first day of the Dubuque County Fair is "Free Day," thanks to sponsor TH Media. Here is a break down of the day's events:

• 8am: Grounds open
• 8am - 7pm: Country Store open
• 9am: 4-H/FFA Horse and Pony Show - Horse Arena
• 9am: 4-H/FFA Sheep Show - Swine Barn
• 9am: 4-H/FFA Dairy Goat - Show Barn
• 9:30am: 9am: 4-H/FFA Dairy Cattle Show - Show Barn
• 10am - 8pm: Creative Arts Building/Kids Corner
• 10am - 8pm: 4-H Building Exhibits Open to the Public
• 11am - 8pm: Exhibit Hall Open
• 123pm: 4-H/FFA Meat Goat Show - Swine Barn
• 12:30pm: 4-H/FFA Dairy Cow Show - Livestock Arena
• 1pm - 5pm: Bingo - Across from the Grandstands
• 1pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 1:30pm: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 2pm - 8pm: Axe Throwing - Exhibit Grounds
• 2pm: Sea Lion Splash - Exhibit Grounds
• 3pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 3:30pm: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 4pm: North American Midway Rides Open
• 4pm: Dubuque Dance - Blain's Stage in the Festival Garden
• 4:30pm: Balloon Stunt/Stilt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 6pm: Opening Ceremony - Mainstage
• 6pm: Sea Lion Splash - Exhibit Grounds
• 6:30pm: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 7pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 7pm: Free Concert: Patsy Cline Tribute - Mainstage
• 7:30pm: Johnny Cash Tribute - Mainstage
• 8pm: Ken Peiffer, DJ - Blain's Stage in the Festival Garden
• 8:30pm: June Carter Cash Tribute - Mainstage

Wednesday, July 24th (Kids Day/Race Day):

Wednesday is "Kids Day" at the Dubuque County Fair, thanks to sponsor The Donovan Family, as well as "Race Day:"

• 8am: Grounds open
• 8am - 7pm: Country Store open
• 8:30am: 4-H/FFA Swine Weigh-in & Carcass Scan
• 9am: 4-H/FFA Beef Show - Show Barn
• 9am: 4-H/FFA Poultry Show - Poultry Barn
• 10am - 8pm: Creative Arts Building/Kids Corner open
• 10am - 8pm: 4-H Building Exhibits Open to the Public
• 10am: Kid's Day Activities - Top of the Grandstands
• 11am - 8pm: Exhibit Hall open
• 1pm - 11pm: North American Midway Ride Bracelets $30
• 1pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 1:30pm: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 1:30pm: Kids Pedal Tractor Pull - Festival Area
• 2pm - 8pm: Axe Throwing - Exhibit Grounds
• 2pm: Sea Lion Splash - Exhibit Grounds
• 3pm: Kid's Day Prize Give-Away - Top of Grandstands (must be present to win)
• 3pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 3:30pm: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 3pm: Release of Poultry, Breeding Heifers, Milking Animals
• 4pm: Frog Jump - Festival Area
• 4pm: The Road Less Traveled Community Theater - Big Top
• 4pm: Dubuque Dance - Blain's Stage in the Festival Garden
• 4:30pm: Balloon Stunt/Stilt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 5:30pm: 4-H Awards Ceremony - Big Top
• 6pm: Sea Lion Splash - Exhibit Grounds
• 6:30pm: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 6:30pm: Pro Late Model Series - On the Track
• 7pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 8pm: Ken Peiffer, DJ - Blain's Stage in the Festival Garden

Thursday, July 25th (Country Day):

Thursday is "Country Day" at the Dubuque County Fair, underscored by a free concert (with gate admission) featuring Alexandra Kay and special guest Haley Mae Campbell!

• 8am: Grounds open
• 8am - 7pm: Country Store open
• 9am: 4-H/FFA Swine Show - Swine Barn
• 10am - 8pm: Creative Arts Building/Kids Corner Open
• 10am - 8pm: 4-H Building Exhibits Open to the Public
• 11am - 8pm: Exhibit Hall Open
• 12pm: Eating Contest - Exhibit Grounds
• 1pm - 11pm: North American Midway Ride Bracelets $30
• 1pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 1:30pm: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 1:30pm: LEGO Contest - Creative Arts Building
• 2pm: Entry of Clover Kids Pets - Show Barn
• 2pm - 8pm: Axe Throwing - Exhibit Grounds
• 2pm: Sea Lion Splash - Exhibit Grounds
• 2:30pm - Clover Kids Pet Show - Show Barn
• 3pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 3:30pm: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 3:30pm: Kids Planting Marigolds with Judy Selcher from Steve's Ace Hardware - Creative Arts Building
• 3:30pm: Entry of All 4-H Pets - Show Barn
• 4pm: Release of 4-H/FFA Livestock Not Being Sold
• 4pm: Tiny Prince & Princess Judging - Big Top
• 4pm: Dubuque Dance - Blain's Stage in the Festival Garden
• 4:30pm: 4-H/FFA Pet Show - Show Barn
• 4:30pm: Balloon Stunt/Stilt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 6pm: The Road Less Traveled Community Theater - Big Top
• 6pm: Sea Lion Splash - Exhibit Grounds
• 6:30pm: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 7pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 7:30pm: Alexandra Kay with Haley Mae Campbell - Main Stage
• 7:30pm: Schmidt Brothers - Blain's Stage/Festival Garden

Friday, July 26th (Rock Day):

Friday is "Rock Day," living up to its name with a concert featuring Skillet and Theory of a Deadman!

• 8am: Grounds open
• 8am - 7pm: Country Store open
• 9am: 4-H/FFA Auction - Swine, Sheep & Meat Goat
• 10am - 7pm: Creative Arts Building/Kids Corner open
• 10am - 7pm: 4-H Building Exhibits Open to the Public
• 11am - 8pm: Exhibit Hall open
• 12:30pm: 4-H/FFA Dairy & Beef Auction - Show Barn
• 1pm - 5pm: Bingo - Across from the Grandstands
• 1pm - 11pm: North American Midway Ride Bracelets $30
• 1pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 1:30pm: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 2pm: Sea Lion Splash - Exhibit Grounds
• 3pm - 10pm - Axe Throwing - Exhibit Grounds
• 3pm: The Road Less Traveled Community Theater - Big Top
• 3pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 3:30pm: Meet Rock the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 4pm: Release of all Remaining 4-H/FFA Livestock
• 4pm: Chicken Chucking Contest - Exhibit Grounds
• 4:30pm: Balloon Stunt/Stilt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 6pm: Sea Lion Splash - Exhibit Grounds
• 6:30pm: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 7pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 7:30pm: Skillet and Theory of a Deadman - Main Stage
• 8pm: Corey Farley - Blain's Stage/Festival Garden

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Saturday, July 27th (Tractor Pull & Family Day):

Saturday is "Tractor Pull & Family Day," courtesy of Theisen's and Midwest Concrete Inc, respectively.

• 7:30am: Entry of 4-H/FFA Rabbit - Swine Barn
• 8am: Grounds open
• 8am - 7pm: Country Store open
• 8am: BBQ Ribs Cook-Off Check In - Exhibit Grounds
• 9am: Open Class Horse Show - Horse Arena
• 9am: Clover Kids Rabbit Show - Swine Barn
• 10am - 7pm: Creative Arts Building/Kids Corner open
• 10am - 7pm: 4-H Building Exhibits Open to the Public
• 10am: 4-H/FFA Rabbit Show
• 10am: Mutton Bustin Rodeo - Festival Garden
• 11am - 8pm: Exhibit Hall open
• 11am: Beer Olympics sponsored by 7G - Festival Garden
• 11:30am: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 12pm - 11pm: North American Midway Ride Bracelet $30
• 12pm: Kiddie Calf Show - Show Barn
• 1pm - 5pm: Bingo - Across from the Grandstands
• 1pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 1:30pm: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 2pm: Sea Lion Splash - Exhibit Grounds
• 2pm: BBQ Ribs Cook-Off Turn-In
• 2pm: Mutton Bustin Rodeo - Festival Garden
• 2pm - 6pm: Ozzy and Bon JoeB - Blain's Stage/Festival Garden
• 3pm: Open Class Dairy Animals Released after Show
• 3pm - 10pm: Axe Throwing - Exhibit Grounds
• 3pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 3:30pm: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 4pm: Mutton Bustin Rodeo - Festival Garden
• 4pm: Chicken Chucking Contest - Exhibit Grounds
• 4pm: Dubuque Dance - Blain's Stage in the Festival Garden
• 4:30pm: Balloon Stunt/Stilt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 6pm: Sea Lion Splash - Exhibit Grounds
• 6:30pm: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 6:30pm: ECIPA/Badger State Tractor Pull - On the Track
• 7pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 8pm: Back Booth Alley - Blain's Stage/Festival Garden

Sunday, July 28th (Race Day):

Sunday is the final day of the Dubuque County Fair. It's also "Race Day," with a Demo Derby and stock car races to cap off the festivities.

• 8am: Grounds open
• 8am - 7pm: Country Store open
• 9:30am - 11:30am: Open Class Beef Check/Weigh In - Show Barn
• 10am - 7pm: Creative Arts Building/Kids Corner open
• 11am - 7pm: Exhibit Hall open
• 11am: Sea Lion Splash - Exhibit Grounds
• 11:30am: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 12pm - 7pm: 4-H Building Exhibits Open to the Public
• 12pm - 8pm: North American Midway Ride Bracelet $30
• 12pm - 6pm: Axe Throwing - Exhibit Grounds
• 12pm: Demolition Derby - On the Track
• 1pm - 5pm: Bingo - Across from the Grandstands
• 1pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 1:30pm: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 1:30pm: Open Class beef Showmanship Begins
• 2pm: Sea Lion Splash - Exhibit Grounds
• 2pm: Open Class Beef Show - Livestock Arena
• 2pm - 5pm: 3 On A Tree - Blain's Stage/Festival Garden
• 3pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 3:30pm: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 4pm: Race Car Driver Autographs - Exhibit Grounds
• 4pm: Chicken Chucking Contest Finals - Exhibit Grounds
• 4:30pm: Balloon Stunt/Stilt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 6pm: Sea Lion Splash - Exhibit Grounds
• 6:30pm: Julien Dubuque Classic Stock Car Racing
• 6:30pm: Meet Rocky the T-Rex - Exhibit Grounds
• 7pm: Balloon Stunt Show - Exhibit Grounds
• 8pm: Music - Blain's Stage/Festival Garden

Admission to the Fair (Wednesday - Sunday) for 12 and older is $10, while children age 11 and under are FREE. For more details, visit the Dubuque County Fair's website and Facebook page!