While the Pembina County Fair takes the cake for the longest running fair in North Dakota, over half of the counties in North Dakota hold annual fairs, offering residents a chance to exhibit their livestock, crops, and garden produce and showcase their blue-ribbon homemade goods such as jellies and jams, embroidery, and woodwork. Here, in Walsh County, this event takes place every October, as the Indian Summer is drawing to a close.

The story begins over 100 years ago, in 1914, when an agricultural seminar was held. Two years later, the event became known as the Mid-Winter Fair, a place for nearby farmers to display their grains and corn. Also featured were women’s exhibits, which included an array of entries ranging from breads, doughnuts, and pastries to jars of peaches, pears, and pickles to sewing projects galore, all vying for the coveted “best in show” ribbon. The small fair was held in the basement of the ‘Old Main’ building of the Walsh County Agricultural School, though it would soon outgrow the space. In 1927, a large, dome-like structure was built. It served as a gymnasium for the school and was a great asset to the growth of the fair. By 1932, with the extra space, there was an opportunity to add the State Potato Show to the existing Fair. It continued to grow by leaps and bounds until World War II. Though, like many other events during that time, it was discontinued in 1943. The Walsh County Fair and State Potato Show was reorganized in 1946 and has been active ever since.

By 1951, the fair had grown to include livestock and poultry, as well as a large wildlife exhibit. It was evident that a permanent structure, in lieu of large chautauqua tents, was needed. With the help of donations from the folks of Walsh County, the fair building was constructed, and has been used ever since. For the past sixty years, countless volunteers have helped to build a firm foundation for the continuation and growth of this great community event.

Today, as the leaves fall from the trees, Walsh County celebrates the end of the season at the Fair. While things look a little different than they did in 1914, the Fair still represents a passion for agriculture, art, and homemaking, through organizations like 4-H and FFA. The young and young-at-heart enjoy their time at the fair, whether they are competing in a tractor pull contest, hanging on for dear life during Mutton Bustin’, or trying their hand at potato picking.