The 155th Goodhue County Fair opens today in Zumbrota.

In 1859, a few pioneers decided the county needed a place to show off their agricultural and homemaking abilities. The first seven fairs were held in and around the county seat of Red Wing. The Minnesota State Fair was held in conjunction with the Goodhue County Fair in 1864.

The county fair then moved to a more central location in the county, Hader, for three years. Then the fair moved to Zumbrota and initially started as a street fair.

In 1892, the fair moved just northwest of Zumbrota where the city's industrial park is located. It was there for a decade and then moved back into town as a street fair.

In 1915, the present fairgrounds site of 16.37 acres north of Zumbrota was purchased for $3,270.

The old Belvidere School is believed to be the oldest country schoolhouse in the county and is located on the current fairgrounds. The wall maps, stove, desks and glove are all original and were there when the school closed in 1959. In 2006, after 40 years in Zumbrota's Covered Bridge Park, the schoolhouse was moved to the fairgrounds.

Goodhue County has the third-largest 4-H program in the state, which is awesome when you consider the latest U.S. Census figures list Goodhue County's population the 20th-largest in Minnesota.

The Goodhue County Fair incorporated as a stock organization in 1961 and is directed by a board of 15 volunteer county citizens. Goodhue County's fair also has a Junior Fair Board composed of active 4-H youth volunteers and is a model for the entire state.

Jerry and I stopped by Monday afternoon and the grounds were bustling with activity.

Merriam's Midway was setting up their carnival rides. Carnival hours will be 6-10PM today, 1-11PM Wednesday through Saturday and 1-6PM Sunday.

Carnival Ride Specials include "Buck Fifty Nite" tonight from 6-10PM with all rides $1.50 per ride. Wednesday through Sunday it's "Pay One Price" wristbands from 1-6PM. All the rides you can go on during those hours for $18.

We hope to see you at the Goodhue County Fair in Zumbrota this week.

Merriams Midway at Goodhue County Fair in Zumbrota
Merriam's Midway at Goodhue County Fair in Zumbrota
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