Carnival workers were busy setting up rides.

The towering Fire Ball ride slowly rose high in the air at the north end of the midway.

Fair board members Kathy Covington and Amber Swing were among the volunteers sorting fine arts entries in the New Ulm Civic Center.

“Entries are up. We’ve got lots of fine arts and photography entries, especially for age 16 and under,” said Covington.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Fire Ball ride rises above the Brown County Fairground midway Tuesday as carnival workers set up for Wednesday’s opening events.

“I’ve judged 10 county fairs. We’ve got more open class entries, 1,800; than any of them. I think we’ll have more than 2,000 by Wednesday,” she added.

The 155th Brown County Free Fair will feature a few new wrinkles this year with strong man demonstrations, radio controlled car racing and Country Western musicans Ricochet, Josh Gracin and Raelynn. Bands begin performing at 7 p.m. Friday.

Strong man appearances on the midway are set for noon, 2 and 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1 3, 5 and 6 p.m. Saturday.

The RC race track, open daily at noon, is located under a tent next to the grandstand.

Carnival rides open at 5 p.m. Wednesday. A truck/tractor pull starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The first of two demolition derbies begins at 7 p.m. Thursday.

The senior day program begins at 10 a.m. Thursday on the Civic Center stage. A free magician-variety show starts at 10:30 a.m. Friday on the Civic Center stage.

A kid’s tractor pedal pull begins at 3p.m. Friday outside the Civic Center.

The Saturday demolition derby starts at 6 p.m.

The Minnesota Gladiolus Society State Show is noon to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Civic Center.

The dockdogs, considered the world’s premier canine aquatics competition take place at 11 a.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday. The big air finals begin at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Other daily attractions include FFA and 4-H exhibits, The Zoo Man (Brent Mielke of Sleepy Eye) Friday and Saturday.

For more information and advance tickets, visit www.browncountyfreefair.com