Dakota County Fair / Special Days

See Event Calendar for all events during fair week.

Community Day - Monday, August 10, 2026

Help fight hunger by donating brown paper grocery bags to support local food shelves. 360 Communities, operating the largest food shelf network in Dakota County, needs 10,000 bags annually—and they often run short.

How to Donate:
Drop off your paper bags in the bright yellow tubs at the admission gates or the main Fair office (inside Ahlberg Hall Museum).

For more information about 360 Communities and its network of food shelves, visit 360Communities.org.

Senior Day - Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Join us for donuts, cookies, and coffee/lemonade social at the museum in Ahlberg Hall starting at 9 a.m. to celebrate the kick-off to Senior Day, and meet our dedicated Senior Day sponsors. At noon, enjoy live music (to be announced) on the Craft Beer Garden Stage!

See the Senior Day Event Schedule.

Download our printable PDF to share with your Senior friends. Thank you for helping us invite the community!

Thank you to our 2025 Senior Day Sponsors

American Family Care
Legacy of Farmington
Cassia Senior Living
Crosstown Insurance

Hero Appreciation Day - Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Join us in honoring and thanking our local Dakota County servicemen and women, for their dedication and sacrifice. Our heroes include veterans, active-duty military, police, fire, and first-responders.

Hero Appreciation Day Schedule of Events

8 a.m. - Flag Raising Ceremony
Location: Ahlberg Hall Museum flag post (outdoors)
8 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Hero Appreciation Day Reception
Location: Ahlberg Hall Museum (indoors)
Coffee and donuts (while supplies last). Visit with fellow heroes and local vendors that support our servicemen and women and first responders. Plus, enjoy Louie Rutten on guitar!
12:30 p.m. - Trolley Ride
Location: Dakota Village (meet at the Drugstore building)
Heroes are invited to board the Dakota Village trolley to be honored in the 1 p.m. tractor parade through Dakota Village.

Kids' Day - Thursday, August 13, 2026

Free fun, education, and entertainment throughout the day. See the Events Calendar for all Kids' Day activities.

Children's Barnyard Tours
Barnyard tours will start at 10:00 a.m. and go every 30 minutes until 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2026. Great for daycares and summer camps.
Please submit a Tour Request to reserve your timeslot.

Public Safety Day - Saturday, August 15, 2026

Saturday: Public Safety Day at Dakota County Fair

Fire & EMS Demonstrations | 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Meet local firefighters and paramedics while exploring the latest in emergency response:

See a new ladder truck
Learn how to use a fire extinguisher
Watch a live kitchen fire demo & learn fire safety tips
Discover CPR innovations that can save lives

Law Enforcement & S.W.A.T. | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (North of the Dakota County Government Building)
Meet Dakota County Peace Officers and explore law enforcement gear:

Check out squad cars, drones, and an airboat
Purchase a Pink Patch to support breast cancer awareness
Enjoy a meet & greet with local officers

Come experience the latest in public safety and connect with those who serve our community!