The 118th annual Stearns County Fair kicks off in Sauk Centre on Wednesday, July 31. With a free gate, the Stearns County Fair has numerous grandstand events and other entertainment options for people of all ages.

On the first night (Wednesday), the feature event is the Ranch Rodeo at the outdoor arena at 7 p.m. The midway opens at 5 p.m., with a wristband special going from 5 to 10 p.m.

The Thursday night grandstand event at 7:30 p.m. is the first Demo Derby of the fair. Earlier, a Senior Citizens recognition program will be held on the Heritage Stage from 1 to 3 p.m. Gig Noonan performs at 7 p.m. at the Herald Bandshell.

On Friday, August 2, the grandstand event is a second Demo Derby at 7:30 p.m. Earlier, at the outdoor arena at 6:30 p.m., and Antique Tractor and Draft Horse Parade will be held followed by a Draft Horse show. The Stearns County 4-H groups have numerous activities going on all day, and the Amazing Hoopsters of Hutchinson will perform from 2 to 3 p.m. and then from 9:30 to 10:15 p.m. at the Heritage Stage. The Midway wristband hours are 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

On Saturday, August 3, a third Demo Derby will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the grandstand. The Midway wristband hours are 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sherwin Linton and "The Cotton Kings" 50s 60s Rock and Roll show will be at the Heritage Band Shell at 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Another Antique Tractor and Draft Horse parade and Draft Horse show will take place at 6:30 p.m.

The fair wraps up on Sunday, August 4, a day that begins with a 10 a.m. Catholic Mass at the 4-H stage (all faiths welcome). The Midway opens at noon, and the Century Farms Awards will be announced at the Heritage Stage at 12 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., the 4-H Arts-In performance will be held at the 4-H stage. The final grandstand event of the Stearns County Fair is a Pickup and Tractor Pulling contest (open to stock and out-of-field tractors) at 7 p.m. plus an antique tractor pull (no steel wheels)...the rules and regulations can be found online at http://www.stearnscountyfair.com.

A Bonanza Valley Voice photo gallery from the Stearns County Fair in 2017 can be found at https://bit.ly/2GnVtDq.