The 2023 Linn County Fair, “where great memories are made,” kicks off Wednesday, June 28, through Sunday, July 2, at the Linn County Fairgrounds in Central City. Fairgoers will have the opportunity to take in the sights of carnival rides, fair food, 4H/FFA livestock shows, live music, truck and tractor pulls and more.
Ryan Sieck, a member of the Fair Board, said the board has been diligently preparing the fairgrounds for the past few weeks in anticipation of opening day and to prepare for the headliners, Jo Dee Messina with special guest Drew Parker and Niko Moon with Adam Doleac.
Moon will perform Thursday, June 29 at 7:30 p.m. Moon is a country-pop singer with the two-time Platinum number one single “GOOD TIME.” Moon has also co-written songs for Dierks Bentley, Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts and Morgan Wallen.
Sieck said Moon’s name may not be familiar, but his music is all over social media, and attendees will recognize it once they hear it.
“Everyone has heard his songs and I guarantee it either through TikTok or any social media. It is all over,” said Sieck. “It is one of those acts that is going to surprise people.”
Messina will take the grandstand Friday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m. Messina is known for her “Head Carolina, Tails California” hit, launching her career in 1996. She went on to have other top hits, including “Bring on the Rain,” “Bye, Bye,” “I’m Alright,” “Lesson in Leavin’,” “My Give a Damn’s Busted,” “Stand Beside Me” and “That’s the Way.” Messina has been nominated for two Grammy Awards and honored by the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
Tickets are still available, including Friday night’s VIP ticket option for $100, including dinner, a few drinks, your ticket to the show, private port-o-potties, and a special viewing area for the concert.
Other grandstand entertainment includes the Draft Horse Fun Show Saturday, July 1, at 9:30 a.m., the East Central Iowa Pullers Association Truck and Tractor Pull Saturday, July 1, at 6 p.m., and three free events of Outlaw Garden Tractor Pulling Series July 1 at 1 p.m., Donkey races at Noon Sunday, July 2 and Tough Trucks at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 2.
Other activities, include the Ag Games, stroller races, cookie stacking contest, Slurpin’ for Worms, pie eating, Kiddie calf show and more. Free events are available, including Bob Bohm’s Family Entertainment, Old West Camp, face painting and Playing with Giants.
A newer event that is also returning is the Bacon Buddies. Sieck said after a successful event last year, the Bacon Buddies are back for a second year Saturday, July 1, at 1 p.m. This event is for intellectual and/or developmental disabled children from sixth to 12 grade to give them an opportunity to show a pig with two youth mentors. Registration starts at 11 a.m., lunch at noon and the show at 1 p.m. in the Swine Arena.
“The kids love the event,” said Sieck. “They really bond with the animal, and it is just really neat.”
Another returning event is the Stephen Martin Memorial Tractor Ride, Saturday, July 1, at 10 a.m. in front of the Lynn Dunn Memorial Building. Martin, who was on the Board of Directors and part of the Linn County Fair Association since 1973, passed away in a farm accident in 2022.
This year, the annual carnival rides will be available from Wednesday, June 28 until Saturday, July 1. On Saturday, the carnival will be dismantled and replaced with a variety of bouncy houses that will be available all day Sunday.
Overall, Sieck said he is looking forward to the people attending.
“It is rewarding to see the number of people who have come and how it’s grown over the last few years,” said Sieck. “Between food, the different events and animals, we are so close to Cedar Rapids, some (people) don’t get that opportunity, but we give them that opportunity to come out and see things that they don’t typically see and maybe learn something.”
General Admission to the fair is $5 a day, with the exception of Wednesday’s free admission day. Kids under 10 get in free. Veterans and active military members have free admission Sunday, July 2, for Military Appreciation Day. Admission can be purchased online.
Sieck said the fair is always looking for volunteers to help during fair week and can contact the fair at [email protected].
For more information or to stay up to date with the full schedule of events, visit https://www.thelinncountyfair.com/.
Annual Linn County Fair kicks off June 28
Laura Drummy
[email protected]
June 22, 2023
Laura Drummy • Staff Photo
The annual Linn County Fair starts Wednesday, June 28 through Sunday, July 2. The fairgrounds in Central City will be packed with exciting activities such as carnival rides, delicious fair food, 4H/FFA livestock shows, live music and truck and tractor pulls.