Fair free and ready to rock
Carnival rides stand assembled along the midway on Tuesday, preceding the start of the Brown County Free Fair.(Photo by Amy Zents)
Final prep work continues near food concession stands and the Ferris wheel on the fair grounds. (Photo by Amy Zents)
The newly assembled outdoor stage awaits the first daily free performances by the Ninja Experience stunt show. Photo by Amy Zents
The new covered beer garden tent offers a shaded venue for daily live music. (Photo by Amy Zents)
Carnival rides stand assembled along the midway on Tuesday, preceding the start of the Brown County Free Fair.(Photo by Amy Zents)
Final prep work continues near food concession stands and the Ferris wheel on the fair grounds. (Photo by Amy Zents)
The newly assembled outdoor stage awaits the first daily free performances by the Ninja Experience stunt show. Photo by Amy Zents
The new covered beer garden tent offers a shaded venue for daily live music. (Photo by Amy Zents)
Trending
NEW ULM -- The Brown County Free Fair opens this week with a new live Ninja stunt show, an expanded outdoor beer garden tent, and a Friday night classic rock grandstand performance.
Board Secretary Candice Stadick said the board focused on expanding shaded spaces and keeping family entertainment accessible.
"We just look forward to providing a quality fair for families to enjoy for free," Stadick said. "Many fairs charge for parking or admission. You can come here and just look around and take in some great entertainment completely free."
A main addition to this year's grounds is the Ninja Experience, a free live-action outdoor stunt show held daily between the fair office and the new beer garden.
The board also installed a tent over the beer garden to allow daily live music performances to continue rain or shine.
"The board decided that people enjoy coming out here for some music and beer and needed more shade," Stadick said. "Just in case of rain, we want to make sure things can keep happening."
In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the United States, the fair is honoring five local veterans.
Their stories are on display in the Civic Center and will be highlighted before grandstand events.
Local veterans who pre-register at the fair office receive free admission to a grandstand event of their choice, including the truck and tractor pull, the demolition derby, or the Friday night concert.
Friday's grandstand show features the return of classic rock tribute bands Leather and Lace and Snake Oil. Stadick said the bands performed at last year's fair and were brought back after a popular response.
The performers are traveling directly from a Las Vegas residency at the Hard Rock. Leather and Lace opens with 1970s classic rock hits, followed by Snake Oil performing 1980s rock while portraying characters from bands such as Heart, KISS, and Van Halen.
"In Vegas it's $75 per person," Stadick said. "It's a very inexpensive concert experience."
Tickets for the Friday grandstand concert in New Ulm are $20.
Fair activities also include Senior Citizen Day on Thursday, Kid's Day on Friday, livestock shows, FFA exhibits, and the DockDogs competition running Friday through Sunday.
"All information can be found on our website, browncountyfreefair.com," Stadick said. "And then also on social media, we’re on Facebook and Instagram. Every event is posted, and every schedule is posted daily for the day."