Who doesn’t love a visit to the fair, filled with crazy rides, scrumptiously fried food, and amazing exhibits from the local community? The Door County Fair has been a lively and fun local tradition for over 150 years, and you get to see a more communal and intimate side of Door County! From talent shows to fair rides to live music to even a demolition derby, check out how much fun you and your family can have at the fair!
What to Do
There are so many things to do at the fair that’s fun for the whole family! The Midway is where all the action is, with exciting carnival rides, food vendors selling tasty treats, and activities for people of all ages to participate in. Your entry to the fair provides access to all of the rides and attractions on the Midway, so you don’t have to worry about any additional costs!
On the Midway, you can ride the Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, and a small rollercoaster as a family. There are rides for smaller children and young teens as well, so the whole family can feel the adrenaline! There are fun games near the rides as well, where you can try to win a massive stuffed animal or a small goldfish in a bowl. Try your luck and do your best!
Near the rides and games is the children’s festival stage, where kids of all ages can take part in some fun and educational activities. Events range from a spelling bee to juggling to magic to even hypnosis! These activities take place every day of the fair, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on anything for your young ones.
While your children play at the carnival or the festival stage, you can peruse the wide variety of local vendors selling their goods. Pick up a pack of fresh cupcakes, homemade soaps and lotions, or crafts made by local artisans. Take a piece of Door County home with you that you won’t find anywhere else!
A fair isn’t complete without farm animals, and there are plenty of shows to check out! Take your children to see the pig and duck races, or watch teams from around the state compete in the stock horse drill competition. One of the most exciting and cutest show events is the DockDogs races, where trained dogs run and jump as far as they can into a pool of water after a toy. Dogs from near and far compete in the Door County Fair’s race, and you can’t help but cheer for every single one of them!
What to See
To relax after all of the exhilarating events, slow down and walk through the exhibitor centers commemorating the hard work of children, bakers, and farmers from the local community. There are exhibits around art, baked goods, agricultural feats, knitting and crocheting, and so much more! See the incredible work that each participant put in their field of expertise, as well as the work of several passionate hopefuls whose artistic journey is just beginning.
If you’re looking for something that’ll get your blood pumping, look no further than the grandstand events. There’s a new event each day, from stock car races to motorcycle races to a demolition derby on Sunday! These are popular events, so make sure to stake your seat early so you can see all the action!
What to Eat
One of the best things about a county fair is all of the incredibly savory and sweet food you get to eat—and none of the guilt!
Local vendors often serve freshly grilled burgers, brats, hot dogs, and chicken sandwiches, all of the best foods of summer. Order a plate of nachos piled high with hot cheese, black olives, jalapeños, onions, tomatoes, and all of your favorite fixings! From the Midway, enjoy a slice of pizza or a plate of BBQ, a bucket of French fries with an assortment of toppings, and so much more!
Of course, there’s always room for dessert, and the Door County Fair has plenty! The fresh, homemade cheesecake gets more delicious bite after bite, and it pairs perfectly with an ice cream shake or sundae. For something more traditional at the fair, treat yourself to funnel cake or other fried goodies at the Midway!
Where to Stay
The Door County Fair is just five days long, so you don’t want to miss out on all the fun! Arrive to Door County early on Wednesday for the first day of the fair, and stay through the weekend so you can partake in all of the fun activities and see all of the wondrous entertainment. At the Landmark Resort, we can accommodate you and your family with our one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites, either overlooking the sparkling blue water of Green Bay or nestled in the quiet woods. Located in the heart of the peninsula, you don’t have to travel far to check out the fair before exploring the rest of Door County! Book your stay today to finish off your summer vacation at the Landmark Resort in Door County.