July 23-29 Dubuque County Fairgrounds ( 14569 Old Highway Rd )

Story by Bryce Parks Photos by Ron Tigges , DigitalDubuque . com

Some traditions are as old as time , and you ’ d have to be a pretty old-timer at this point to remember a time before the Dubuque County Fair . In a day when social media and video games command eyeballs and hours of time , it seems there is still a yearning for simpler times and classic entertainment as the everpopular Dubuque County Fair comes around for the 71 st time to entertain the Tri-State area with music , food , rides , displays , animals , and so much more .

“ It ’ s about 4-H , it ’ s about FFA , it ’ s about friends , and it ’ s about having fun ,” says Dubuque County Fair Manager Kevin Kotz . “ So to kick it off , we ’ re going to start off Tuesday with our Free Admission Day .” Also , like last year , the fair is hosting a free concert that first night with a tribute concert celebrating Patsy Cline , Johnny Cash , and June Carter Cash .

A free day makes the fair truly accessible to everyone . All you have to be able to do is get to the fairgrounds . And it ’ s a wonderful opportunity to introduce county living and traditions to the more urban lifestyle in Dubuque , so much as Dubuque is considered urban .

It ’ s the Dubuque County Fair . It ’ s really county-focused ; it ’ s not the “ City of Dubuque ” Fair . But that ’ s the whole idea . If it was a city fair , they ’ d be downtown , and they ’ d be doing city stuff . But it ’ s not . It ’ s out in the county . And the idea is to focus on things that are important to the entire county .

“ The original goal of the fair , their mission statement at the time ,” explains Kotz , “ was to bring the agricultural community and the city together and celebrate our heritage , because none of us are going to make it without the farmers doing their job . And by having a lot of big agricultural focus here and having the kids from 4-H and FFA , these young kids are going to be the ones feeding us for the next 60 to 70 years . So it ’ s nice to celebrate that .”

Also intrinsically tied to the image of the fair is that oval racetrack and all of the

action that it brings to the venue during the fair and beyond . Wednesday night brings racing to the fairgrounds in multiple auto classes . That day also celebrates kids special activities and prizes all day .

A second free concert comes to the grandstands for country night at 7:30 p . m . as rising stars Alexandra Kay with Haley Mae Campbell take the stage . That ’ s right : No cost for a great country show . You just pay fair gate admission .

Generating millions of plays weekly on her videos , Alexandra Kay commands the attention of country music fans . With a voice reminiscent of Dolly Parton , Alison Kraus , and Leanne Womack , Alexandra Kay is bringing country music back to its roots . Since taking social media by storm , she has collaborated with some of the most iconic names in the music industry such as Randy Travis , Tim McGraw , Jo Dee Messina , Gary LeVox , Tracy Lawrence , and Scott Stapp of Creed . Alexandra made her Grand Ole Opry debut on Nov . 19 , 2022 , followed by her second and third times on June 5 this year with Jelly Roll , Cody Johnson , Warren Zeiders , and more .

With a big heartbreaking rainout last year , everyone is hoping for a great night to host a re-do on last year ’ s huge rock concert night on Friday , July 26 . Hard rockers Skillet and Theory of a Deadman return for a 7:30 p . m . show . Tickets range from $ 25 to $ 50 and , of course , you can sit on the hillsides for free . Tickets can be purchased at the fair office by calling 563-588-1999 or at DBQfair . com . Skillet is a Christian rock band consisting of husband and wife duo John and Korey Cooper . The multi Grammy-nominated group has seven albums including the Platinum and double-Platinum albums Comatose and Awake with 10 songs selling Gold or better , four of which (“ Monster ,” “ Hero ,” “ Awake and Alive ,” and “ Feel Invincible ”) were multi-Platinum selling .

Theory of a Deadman includes traits of music styles such as country and acoustic in addition to their post-grunge and alternative rock foundation when they were the first band signed to Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger ’ s 604 Records . Nine of their singles have entered the Top 10 of the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart including four songs that peaked a No . 1 : “ Bad Girlfriend ,” “ Lowlife ,” “ Rx ( Medicate ),” and “ History of Violence .”

Saturday brings a different kind of track competition with the return of the ECIPA / Badger State Tractor Pull .

And what would Sunday afternoon at the fair be without the demolition derby ? Less awesome , that ’ s what . Fortunately , they are bringing the awesome ! And if you stick around , the evening concludes with more great track action at 6:30 p . m . as Julien Dubuque Classic Stock Car Racing takes over the oval . Enjoy IMCA late models , modifieds , sport modifieds , hobby stocks , stock cars , and open 4 cylinders . The fair also always puts AG center stage . The kids , of course , have the dairy , the beef , the chickens , the goats , the sheep , the ducks , and all that . So it really gives everyone a chance to learn .

“ We really encourage you to walk through the animal barns ,” encourages Kotz , “ not around the barns , to get into the fair or when you leave to take time to stop and appreciate the animals . Have your kids ever met a calf or a sheep up close ? Here ’ s your chance .”

There are no carry-ins , and leave anything like a weapon at home . Just come out and have fun . It ’ s a family-oriented event , and there ’ ll be all kinds of new things to keep the youngsters busy all day .

“ Come out , enjoy it , and make new memories . That ’ s what we ’ re all about here !” adds Kotz .

View the schedule adjacent to this story for daily details . For tickets and more information , visit DBQfair . com . •