Tippy the cow
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2023 Free Shows and Attractions

Free? That's right! All of the events below are free with gate admission, including Wednesday through Saturday grandstand events!

Date Event Location Start Time   End Time
Wed 8/9 Free Games for All Ages
Visit webpage for more information
Carver County Historical Society Log Building 10:00 am 8:00 pm
Wed 8/9 Live Entomology Show presented by the U of M Insect Ambassadors
Showcasing the wonders of insects!
4-H Building 10:00 am
Wed 8/9 Exotic Zoo Exotic Zoo 12:00 pm 9:00 pm
Wed 8/9 Story Time with Tippy Agriculture Building 2:00 pm
Wed 8/9 Pig Races Shady Oak Ridge 3:30 pm
Wed 8/9 Up South
Country music band from Carver County. In addition to playing country music's greatest hits, Up South also composes and performs their own songs. Their lead single, "Far Too Long" and its follow-up "Paradise" can be heard on multiple radio stations throughout the upper Midwest.
Entertainment Center 4:00 pm 7:30 pm
Wed 8/9 Story Time with Tippy Agriculture Building 4:30 pm
Wed 8/9 Tiger Encounter
An education, conservation and preservation animal show
Visit webpage for more information
Tippy's Pasture 5:00 pm
Wed 8/9 Pig Races Shady Oak Ridge 5:30 pm
Wed 8/9 Story Time with Tippy Agriculture Building 6:00 pm
Wed 8/9 Clear Blue
Traditional country music band focusing on the Bakersfield style Honky Tonk sound
Patio 6:30 pm 10:30 pm
Wed 8/9 Mutton Bustin’
Sheep riding competition for kids ages 6-8.
Participant information
West Arena 6:30 pm
Wed 8/9 Side-by-Side UTV Races
FREE with gate admission!
Practice laps from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

More info, rules and entry form
Grandstand 7:00 pm
Wed 8/9 Tiger Encounter
An education, conservation and preservation animal show
Visit webpage for more information
Tippy's Pasture 7:00 pm
Wed 8/9 Pig Races Shady Oak Ridge 7:30 pm
Wed 8/9 Johnny Holm Band
Classic rock, modern rock, pop and country
Must be 21+ years of age and have state-issued picture ID

Photos and more info
Entertainment Center 8:30 pm 12:00 am
        
Thu 8/10 500 Card Tournament
Registration 9:30–10:00 a.m.
Program and prizes follow
Entertainment Center 10:00 am
Thu 8/10 Bubbles & Chalk
Supplies provided
Bingo Tent 10:00 am 2:00 pm
Thu 8/10 Exotic Zoo Exotic Zoo 10:00 am 9:00 pm
Thu 8/10 Free Games for All Ages
Visit webpage for more information
Carver County Historical Society Log Building 10:00 am 8:00 pm
Thu 8/10 Carver County Senior Citizen of the Year Program
Visit webpage for more information
Entertainment Center 1:00 pm
Thu 8/10 Carver County Century Farms Program
Presented by Farm Bureau
(following Senior Citizen of the Year Program)
Visit webpage for more information
Entertainment Center 1:15 pm 2:00 pm
Thu 8/10 4-H Public Presentations Patio 2:00 pm 3:00 pm
Thu 8/10 Story Time with Tippy Agriculture Building 2:00 pm
Thu 8/10 Tiger Encounter
An education, conservation and preservation animal show
Visit webpage for more information
Tippy's Pasture 2:00 pm
Thu 8/10 4-H Arts-In Performances Patio 3:00 pm
Thu 8/10 Mitchell Hall and The Tennessee Trio
World-class tribute to Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash
Entertainment Center 3:30 pm 7:30 pm
Thu 8/10 Pig Races Shady Oak Ridge 4:00 pm
Thu 8/10 Story Time with Tippy Agriculture Building 4:00 pm
Thu 8/10 Pig Races Shady Oak Ridge 6:00 pm
Thu 8/10 Story Time with Tippy Agriculture Building 6:00 pm
Thu 8/10 Tiger Encounter
An education, conservation and preservation animal show
Visit webpage for more information
Tippy's Pasture 6:00 pm
Thu 8/10 Kris and the Riverbend Dutchmen
Old time music; blending an up-tempo beat with the traditional dutchmen style made famous by so many of the great dutchmen bands from Minnesota and Wisconsin
Patio 6:30 pm 10:30 pm
Thu 8/10 Motokazie
FREE with gate admission!
Gates open and practice begins 1 hour prior to the start of the event.

More info and invitation to local riders
Grandstand 7:00 pm
Thu 8/10 Pig Races Shady Oak Ridge 7:30 pm
Thu 8/10 Ragtown
An acoustic based band from the Twin Cities with a wide range of music that gives everyone something to enjoy
Must be 21+ years of age and have state-issued picture ID

Photos, videos & more
Entertainment Center 8:00 pm 11:00 pm
        
Fri 8/11 Bubbles & Chalk
Supplies provided
Bingo Tent 10:00 am 2:00 pm
Fri 8/11 Exotic Zoo Exotic Zoo 10:00 am 9:00 pm
Fri 8/11 Free Games for All Ages
Visit webpage for more information
Carver County Historical Society Log Building 10:00 am 8:00 pm
Fri 8/11 Sheepshead Card Tournament
Registration 9:30–10:00 a.m.
Program and prizes follow
Entertainment Center 10:00 am
Fri 8/11 Carver County Parks Activities
Make s'mores and play a disc golf putting game at the Carver County Parks booth!
Carver County Commons 11:00 am 4:00 pm
Fri 8/11 4-H Fashion Revue Patio 2:00 pm 3:00 pm
Fri 8/11 Military Service Recognition March
March starts at Bayview Elementary and travels down Walnut Street to the Fairgrounds Gate #1 (main gate).
Participant information
2:00 pm
Fri 8/11 Story Time with Tippy Agriculture Building 2:00 pm
Fri 8/11 Veterans Program
Featured speaker: Steve Walker, Veterans Services Officer, Carver County Veteran Services
Entertainment Center 2:30 pm
Fri 8/11 4-H Arts-In Performances Patio 3:00 pm
Fri 8/11 KCHK Bean Bag Game for Kids Corner across from 4-H Building 3:00 pm
Fri 8/11 Mollie B & SqueezeBox with Ted Lange
Internationally-known, award-winning polka band
Entertainment Center 3:00 pm 7:00 pm
Fri 8/11 Tiger Encounter
An education, conservation and preservation animal show
Visit webpage for more information
Tippy's Pasture 3:00 pm
Fri 8/11 Pig Races Shady Oak Ridge 3:30 pm
Fri 8/11 Flower Arranging Contest
More info
Tent between Commercial Building & Entertainment Center 4:00 pm
Fri 8/11 KCHK Bean Bag Game for Kids Corner across from 4-H Building 4:00 pm
Fri 8/11 Story Time with Tippy Agriculture Building 4:00 pm
Fri 8/11 KCHK Bean Bag Game for Kids Corner across from 4-H Building 5:00 pm
Fri 8/11 Story Time with Tippy Agriculture Building 6:00 pm
Fri 8/11 NTPA Tractor Pull
FREE with gate admission!
Gates open 1 hour prior to the start of the event.

More info
Grandstand 6:30 pm
Fri 8/11 Pig Races Shady Oak Ridge 6:30 pm
Fri 8/11 Chopper – World's Nuttiest DJ
The best party/dance tunes from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, to present day, country, and more!FREE! All ages
Show Tent 7:00 pm 11:00 pm
Fri 8/11 The Jason Paulson Band
An Americana group from Waconia
Patio 7:00 pm 11:00 pm
Fri 8/11 Tiger Encounter
An education, conservation and preservation animal show
Visit webpage for more information
Tippy's Pasture 7:00 pm
Fri 8/11 Human Tractor Pull
During NTPA Tractor Pull (start time is approximate)
More info
Grandstand 7:30 pm
Fri 8/11 Jacuzzi Puma
Playing a bunch of songs you didn't know you loved... David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Talking Heads, Prince, Rush, The Who, The Band, Joe Walsh, Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, Elton John, and many more
Must be 21+ years of age and have state-issued picture ID

Photos, video & more
Entertainment Center 8:30 pm 12:00 am
Fri 8/11 Pig Races Shady Oak Ridge 8:30 pm
        
Sat 8/12 Be A Dairy Ambassador!
Boys and girls ages 10 to 12
Dairy & Beef Barn/Judges' Square 10:00 am
Sat 8/12 Bubbles & Chalk
Supplies provided
Bingo Tent 10:00 am 2:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Exotic Zoo Exotic Zoo 10:00 am 9:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Free Games for All Ages
Visit webpage for more information
Carver County Historical Society Log Building 10:00 am 8:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Dairy Fun and Games for Kids with Dairy Princesses and Ambassadors Dairy & Beef Barn 11:00 am 3:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Kids' Pedal Tractor Pull
Registration at 10:30 a.m.; Ages 4 to 11
Entertainment Center 11:00 am
Sat 8/12 Comedian DonB!
Comedy, unicycling, juggling and the art of illusion
More info
Throughout Fairgrounds 12:00 pm 3:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Story Time with Tippy Agriculture Building 12:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Diaper Derby
Registration at 1:00 p.m.
Entertainment Center 1:30 pm 2:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Tiger Encounter
An education, conservation and preservation animal show
Visit webpage for more information
Tippy's Pasture 1:30 pm
Sat 8/12 4-H Share the Fun Patio 2:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Country Fried Grubers
Music from Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings to Lynyrd Skynyrd and John Mellencamp. And let's not forget the ladies... Hwy 101, Tiffany, Patsy Cline and more!
Entertainment Center 2:00 pm 4:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Story Time with Tippy Agriculture Building 2:00 pm
Sat 8/12 4-H Arts-In Performances
Following Kids’ Prize Give-Away Drawing
Patio 3:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Kids' Prize Give-Away Drawing
Ages 12 & under; Sign up from 11:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Must be present to win.
Patio 3:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Pig Races Shady Oak Ridge 4:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Story Time with Tippy Agriculture Building 4:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Tiger Encounter
An education, conservation and preservation animal show
Visit webpage for more information
Tippy's Pasture 4:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Bill Litzau and Open Highway
Songs from Waylon, Merle, Cash, Hank, Zac Brown and originals by Bill Litzau
Entertainment Center 4:30 pm 8:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Out-of-Field Tractors, Semis and Pick-ups Pull
The locals are back! FREE with gate admission!
Gates open 1 hour prior to the start of the event.

More info, rules and entry form
Grandstand 5:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Pig Races Shady Oak Ridge 6:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Story Time with Tippy Agriculture Building 6:00 pm
Sat 8/12 The Bingos
Rock 'n roll music from Waconia specializing in fun and danceable classic rock music. Lots of 60s, 70s, to current, along with some popular country too.
Patio 7:00 pm 11:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Tiger Encounter
An education, conservation and preservation animal show
Visit webpage for more information
Tippy's Pasture 7:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Pig Races Shady Oak Ridge 8:00 pm
Sat 8/12 Eli Alger and The Faster Horses Band
Both kinds of music... country and western!
Must be 21+ years of age and have state-issued picture ID

Photos, video & more
Entertainment Center 8:30 pm 12:00 am
        
Sun 8/13 Church at the Fair: Reverend Howie Krienke with music by Jolly Ramblers Entertainment Center 10:00 am 11:00 am
Sun 8/13 Exotic Zoo Exotic Zoo 10:00 am 9:00 pm
Sun 8/13 Free Games for All Ages
Visit webpage for more information
Carver County Historical Society Log Building 10:00 am 6:00 pm
Sun 8/13 Pig Races Shady Oak Ridge 12:00 pm
Sun 8/13 Story Time with Tippy Agriculture Building 12:00 pm
Sun 8/13 Amateur Talent Contest
Visit webpage for more info, rules and entry form
Entertainment Center 1:00 pm
Sun 8/13 Jolly Ramblers
Wide variety of musical styles from German/Czech old-time to modern and swing to 50s, country, and country-rock
Patio 1:00 pm 3:00 pm
Sun 8/13 Tiger Encounter
An education, conservation and preservation animal show
Visit webpage for more information
Tippy's Pasture 1:30 pm
Sun 8/13 Story Time with Tippy Agriculture Building 2:00 pm
Sun 8/13 Pig Races Shady Oak Ridge 3:00 pm
Sun 8/13 4-H Arts-In Performances Patio 3:30 pm
Sun 8/13 Tiger Encounter
An education, conservation and preservation animal show
Visit webpage for more information
Tippy's Pasture 4:00 pm
Sun 8/13 Story Time with Tippy Agriculture Building 4:30 pm
Sun 8/13 Pig Races Shady Oak Ridge 5:00 pm
Sun 8/13 Sparrow Road
A group of local Waconia kids playing classic rock, Americana, country, 90s-modern day alternative music
Patio 5:30 pm 8:30 pm
Sun 8/13 Shaw Band
Southern Minnesota's premier rock 'n roll band
All ages

Photos and more info
Entertainment Center 6:00 pm 8:00 pm
Sun 8/13 Tiger Encounter
An education, conservation and preservation animal show
Visit webpage for more information
Tippy's Pasture 7:00 pm
Sun 8/13 Shaw Brothers
A premier Minnesota band performing classic rock, country and pop music
All ages

Photos and more info
Entertainment Center 8:00 pm 10:00 pm
kid riding a sheep during Mutton Bustin event
a girl feeds grain to a deer at the Carver County Fair exotic zoo
pigs racing at the Carver County Fair
Motokazie racers go around a corner in the Carver County Fair Grandstand
a boy pedaling a miniature tractor in the Kids' Pedal Tractor Pull at the Carver County Fair
Chopper World's Nuttiest DJ promo photo
Bill Litzau and Open Highway band performing live
Kris and the Riverbend Dutchmen promo photo
Up South band promo photo
Mitchell Hall and the Tennessee Trio performing live
Mollie B performing live
Storytime with Tippy the cow
The Bingos band
Felicia Frisco poses with two white tigers after the Tiger Encounter show
Carver County Fair amateur talent contest awards ceremony