Editor's note: Find the fair schedule below this story.

This weekend people from the greater Carlton County area will gather in Barnum to celebrate the 131st Carlton County fair. Last year saw a record 40,000 people attend the fair after Covid-19 shut down the annual gathering in 2020.

The Carlton County event continues to be one of the largest county fairs in the region. Fair manager Lindsey Larson said phone inquiries are up and she anticipates the number of entries for needlework, canning, baked goods, art, a wide range of farm livestock and 4-H projects will have a strong showing.

Numerous musicians are on the schedule to play at the Pavilion during the four days, including the Chmielewski Funtime Band, Shane Martin, The Reckoning and Holy Hootenanners.

Family-friendly shows are booked: a ventriloquist, a caricatures artist, a balloon artist, a petting zoo, and a magic show. For the rides on the Midway, the young can buy $20 wristbands good for the day Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Katie Siltanen is the new Carlton County Minnesota Extension 4-H organizer. Thursday and Friday are all about the dairy, goat, rabbit, swine, beef and sheep shows, leading up to Friday's demonstration day presentations in the 4-H building and on the small stage.

The campground around the fairgrounds was expanded last year and it is expected to fill up quickly on a first come, first served basis. There are no new buildings at the complex but a lot of painting makes many of the wooden buildings shine new.

The grandstand is busy every day, with spectator space filling up early. Admission is $10, and $5 for kids. Thursday evening starts with the tractor pull, oval races on Friday night, demolition derby on Saturday night and Figure 8 on Sunday night, coupled with a new event, bus races.

The Carlton County Historical Society has more than one building to visit. This year the society is celebrating the history of potato farming in the area. Vintage machines from a plow to a manure wagon to a potato planter to a potato hiller to a potato picker lead fairgoers to the Historical Society exhibit area where, of course, there is a basket of potatoes.

Additionally this year, the Pine Knot News and the Carlton County Historical Society are teaming up in a sort of "history now and then" partnership. Check out some of the "History Mystery" items, explore the exhibits, take a photo with the Mills Trophy as a Pine Knot supporter or pick up a free newspaper.

"I think it is important for fair attendees to visit the demonstrations and the 4-H shows at the fair," said county commissioner Mark Thell, a member of the fair board. "The work and pride these young people do with their 4-H projects create well-rounded young adults and strong families. I encourage people to attend the fair and support these young people."

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Carlton County Fair

Aug. 18- 21

Admission: $9/adult, $4/ages 6-11, free for 5 and under

FREE PARKING

Thursday, Aug. 18

Gates open 11 a.m.

8:30 a.m. 4-H dairy goat show

11:30 a.m. The Sonny Side, Pavilion

12:30 p.m. 4-H rabbit show

1:30 p.m. 4-H swine show

3, 4 p.m. Ventriloquist Jeremy Lepak, Pavilion

3 p.m. 4-H beef show

4:30 p.m. Little Scrappers pedal pull, ages 4-11

(register at 4 p.m. by the Red School House)

6 p.m. Midway opens

6 p.m. TRACTOR PULL, Grandstand

7 p.m. Teen dance, Pavilion

Friday, Aug. 19

Gates open 8 a.m.

MIDWAY WRISTBANDS 12-4 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. $20

7 a.m. 4-H horse training judging

8 a.m. 4-H dairy show

9 a.m. 4-H rabbit judging contest

9 a.m. 4-H lamb lead, 4-H sheep show after

9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 4-H demonstration day, 4-H building

9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. 4-H demonstrations, small stage

11 a.m. Chmielewski Funtime Band

12 p.m. OUTSTANDING SENIOR CITIZEN and CENTURY FARM awards, Pavilion

12 p.m. 4-H poultry show

12:30 p.m. 4-H market goat show

1 p.m. Bingo, Gold Building

1 p.m. FDLTCC demonstrations, small stage

3, 4 p.m. Ventriloquist Jeremy Lepak, Pavilion

6 p.m. OVAL RACES, Grandstand

6 p.m. Shane Martin, Pavilion

Saturday, Aug. 20

Gates open 7 a.m.

Military Day

MIDWAY WRISTBANDS 12-4 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. $20

7 a.m. 4-H horse training judging

7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 4-H horse and pony show, arena

8-10 a.m. Farmers breakfast, Centennial Building

9 a.m. Flag raising

11 a.m. Caricatures by Jennifer, small stage

12 p.m. Doctor Street magic show, Pavilion

1 p.m. Bingo, Gold Building

1:30 p.m. 130th ANNUAL HORSE RACES, Grandstand

3:30 p.m. Doctor Street Magic Show, Pavilion

6 p.m. The Reckoning, Pavilion

9 p.m. Blackhoof, Aanerud Building

6:30 p.m. DEMOLITION DERBY, Grandstand

Sunday, August 21

Gates open 9 a.m.

MIDWAY WRISTBANDS 2-4 p.m. $20

9:30 a.m. Nondenominational worship, Pavilion

11 a.m. Holy Hootenanners, Pavilion

11 a.m. Mutton Bustin’ - register at 10 am

11 a.m. Caricatures by Jennifer, small stage

12 p.m. DRAFT HORSE EXHIBITION, arena

1 p.m. Bingo, Gold Building

Dave Harwig

1-3:30 p.m. 4-H General exhibit Blue Ribbon silent auction

1:30, 3:30 p.m. Doctor Street magic show, Pavilion

1:30 p.m. 130th ANNUAL HORSE RACES, Grandstand

4 p.m. Registration begins for 4-H Blue Ribbon livestock auction

4:30 p.m. The Most Wanted Band, Pavilion

6 p.m. FIGURE 8 and BUS RACES, Grandstand

8 p.m. Exhibits released, premium checks distributed

Find the latest updates at carltoncountyfairmn.com