MN’s Largest Free County Fair
From Itineraries Midwest Summer 2010 Issue.
Enjoy Minnesota’s Largest FREE County Fair in Owatonna, The Steele County FREE Fair August 17-22, 2010
DAY ONE – Tuesday, August 17
3 – 4:00 PM
Arrive and check into one of the group friendly hotels in Owatonna then take the Shuttle Bus to the Steele Country Free Fair (SCFF)– Minnesota’s largest FREE County Fair!
4 – 5:00 PM
Take in the sights and sounds of the animals on exhibit on Leisure Lane of the SCFF. Catch the Pig Races and a camel ride on your way down to Market Street for some supper!
5 – 6:00 PM
“Boy do those cheese curds, mini donuts, corn dogs, and gyros smell good!” Sample foods from around the world on Market Street at the SCFF. With over 100 food and drink stands you’re bound to find something to satisfy just about any appetite!
6 – 7:30 PM
Let your stomach settle before going down the Midway for the 96¢ ride special on over 30 carnival rides! Head into the Four Seasons Centre to see what’s on display and for sale from over 300 vendors from 25 states and Canada -offering a wide range of goods, from crystals to quilts, art to furniture, potato peelers to RV’s!
7:30 – 8:30 PM
Check out the Colgate Country Showdown on the KRFO Stage – Owatonna’s own Country version of American Idol!!! Or head over to Fair Square for an outdoor concert tribute to Johnny Cash! Don’t forget all the entertainment on the grounds is FREE!!!
8:30 – 12:00 AM
Head to the Beer Gardens for the band Hairball, the world’s ultimate “80′s Rock” impersonation act, recreating the good-time party atmosphere of the decadent decade with unmatched authenticity – the most exciting re-creation of this great era in rock history!
DAY TWO – Wednesday, August 18
8 – 9:00 AM
Enjoy continental breakfast at your hotel before boarding the coach for a tour of Owatonna and another day of fun at the Steele County Free Fair!
9 – 11:00 AM
Leading the way with a variety of famous historical sites, Owatonna features the Minnesota State School and Orphanage Museum, the largest school of its kind ever operated in Minnesota from 1886-1945. Relive history through pictures, artifacts and personal stories by the orphans who were raised at the Orphanage.
11 – 12:00 PM
See the National Historic Landmark, commemorated on a US postage stamp in 1981, the National Farmers’/Louis Sullivan designed Bank. Highlights of this architectural marvel include stained glass windows, gold leaf arches, chandeliers weighing 2.25 tons each, and murals by Oskar Gross.
12 – 1:00 PM
Enjoy lunch at the Aurora Lutheran Church Food Standat the SCFF– sit down to a home cooked meal with homemade pies like the church ladies used to make! ( and still do at SCFF)
1 – 2:00 PM
Wander through the SCFF on your own to see the Exotic Petting Zoo, Lumberjack Show, Niagara Cave Mining Company, Puppet Shows, Yo-Yo Man, Galaxy Girl, Livestock Hall of Fame, Draft Horse Show, and much more!
2 – 3:30 PM
Experience life in Owatonna at the turn of the 20th Century at the Village of Yesteryear. To see the pioneer village and reenactments of times past!
For more information or to customize this sample itinerary for your group contact the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism at 1-800-423-6466 or go to www.visitowatonna.org.
