Pine County Fair

Pine County Fair
An early Pine County Fair.
Genre	County fair
Date(s)	First Weekend in August
Frequency	annual
Location(s)	Pine City, Minnesota
Years active	126
Inaugurated	1892
Attendance	40,000 (2017) [1]
Website	pinecountyfair.com

The Pine County Fair is an annual event held at the Pine County Fairgrounds in Pine City, Minnesota. With a rich tradition spanning over a century, the fair attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. It features a variety of attractions, including amusement rides, live entertainment, agricultural exhibits, and displays of food, flowers, and crafts. In keeping with Minnesota's agricultural heritage, youth participants from organizations like 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) showcase their animals, collections, and projects.

Demolition derby

One of the fair’s biggest draws is the Demolition Derby, renowned as the "hardest-hitting demolition derby in the Midwest." ^[2] The event consistently draws around 100 participants and sells thousands of tickets, generating a significant portion of the fair’s revenue—approximately one-third of the total spending each year. ^{[3] [4]} Held on the first weekend of August, the derby has become a highlight for fairgoers, cementing its place as a key tradition.

Cars lined up prior to the Pine County Fair demolition derby.

History

• 1872–1888: The Pine County Fair was held jointly with Chisago County during this time. ^[5]
• 1911: Minnesota Governor Adolph Olson Eberhart spoke at the fair, a sign of the event's growing importance in the region. This visit underscores the fair's recognition at the state level.
• 1917–1918: No fair was held due to World War I, reflecting the broader impacts of global events on local traditions.
• 1939: Local radio personalities Cedric Adams and Clellan Card served as Master of Ceremonies at the grandstand, marking the fair’s entry into the realm of broadcast media and bringing wider attention to the event.
• 1942–1945: The fair was suspended during World War II, mirroring the struggles of the era, but was revived afterward to help restore local community spirit.
• 1978: The fairgrounds hosted the first International Polkafest, a now-famous event that outgrew the space and went on to become an iconic Minnesota celebration. This helped the fairgrounds gain recognition as a key cultural hub in the region. ^[6]
• 1996: A fire tragically destroyed the fairgrounds' grandstand, but the local Pine City Lions Club played a pivotal role in rebuilding, demonstrating the community’s resilience and commitment to preserving the fair’s legacy. ^[7]
• 2014: The documentary "Derby Fever" premiered at the Highway 61 Film Festival, focusing on the fair’s legendary demolition derby and showcasing its unique appeal. The film cemented the derby’s place in the broader cultural landscape of the Midwest. ^[8]
• 2017: A study commissioned by the University of Minnesota highlighted the fair's $927,000 economic impact on Pine City, further solidifying its role as an economic and social cornerstone in the region. ^[9]
• 2018: A new beer garden and event center were introduced, modernizing the fairgrounds and drawing in a wider audience while retaining the event's beloved agricultural roots. ^[10]
• 2019: Governor Tim Walz visited the fair alongside Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, highlighting the fair's importance to the state's agricultural community and its ongoing relationship with state leadership. ^[11]
• 2020: The fair was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a rare disruption in its long history and reflecting the challenges faced by public events during the global health crisis. ^[12]
• 2021: In an innovative response to the pandemic, fairgoers were offered $100 to get vaccinated at the event, further emphasizing the fair’s role as a community hub and its adaptability during times of crisis. ^[13]
• 2023: Jeremiah Mohr, a demolition derby driver, was injured in a methanol fire during the event, drawing media attention to the high-risk nature of the derby and the dedication of the drivers. ^[14]

References

1. "Pine County Fair: Attendee and participant assessment and economic value" (PDF). University of Minnesota.
2. "Derby Fever: The Movie". Twin Cities PBS. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
3. "Pine County Fair: Attendee and participant assessment and economic value" (PDF). pinecitychamber.com.
4. [e-mail], Terry Salmela (May 11, 2018). "Study: Pine County Fair brings in $927k". pinecitymn.com.
5. "Looking Back at The Pine County Fair" (PDF). Pine City Area History Association.
6. Tyssen, Linda (9 April 2018). "Famed Polkafest enters 40th year". Mesabi Daily News. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
7. Mike Gainor (19 August 2016). "Pine City Lions celebrate half-century of service". Pinecitymn.com. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
8. Gainor, Mike (25 July 2014). "Pine County's 'Derby Fever' captured in new movie". Press Publications. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
9. "WCMP | East Central MN News, Sports, Music". www.wcmpradio.com. Archived from the original on 2018-12-20.
10. Mike Gainor (August 2017). "New beer garden makes debut at 125th Pine County Fair". Pinecitymn.com. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
11. "Governor Walz takes a tour of the Pine County Fair". 9 August 2019.
12. "At least 20 Minnesota counties have canceled their 2020 fair". 21 May 2020.
13. "At Pine County Fair, $100 for COVID-19 shot is working". 6 August 2021.
14. "Methanol fire 'cooked me a little bit,' says Minnesota demolition derby driver - Bring Me The News". Archived from the original on 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2025-08-14.

External links

• Official website