Dakota County Fair adds accessibility services, new events and emergency plans, fair president says

Pete Storley, president of the Dakota County Agricultural Society, told the Dakota County Board of Commissioners on July 29 that the Dakota County Fair has expanded its programming, accessibility services and emergency-preparedness work ahead of the 2025 fair.

Storley said new and returning events this year include Mopar in the Park (a large automotive gathering he said drew “probably over 40,000 people” on the day it ran), a five-year agreement to host Viking Fest the first two weekends in October, and an expanded lineup of free family activities during the fair. “We are still free admission,” Storley said, adding that the fair offers more than 50 free family events, from live music and demonstrations to children’s agricultural programming.

The fair organization has also pursued accessibility and sensory supports. Storley described a partnership to bring a Momentum Refresh mobile restroom — “a fully accessible ADA compliant mobile restroom” with a lift and hoist — and a Joy Mobile sensory van with quiet/sensory space for visitors who need a break. He said both units can serve as nursing rooms and help visitors in wheelchairs or with mobility challenges.

Storley described work the Agricultural Society has done on grounds and infrastructure: rebuilding the horse arena footing, upgrading nearly all building LED lighting (about 98% complete for buildings and roughly 50% of outdoor lighting), removing “about 300 plus dead ash trees” and planting roughly 50 new trees, and updating ramps and railings at several buildings.

On safety and incident planning, Storley said fair staff have met with county emergency management, the sheriff’s office and local police and fire departments to run scenarios covering severe weather, lost children and other incidents. “One thing’s emergency preparedness is something tragic like what happened in New York yesterday, but it’s also just severe weather,” he said, adding that staff train for smaller events as well — including past unusual animal incidents — and that the fair contracts private security and coordinates with the sheriff’s department to pursue family-friendly safety.

Storley invited commissioners and the public to an open house before the fair: “We’re doing an open house on Monday from 11 to noon before the fair officially starts, just to have tours, talk to the group, and see what it’s about.” He also highlighted volunteer and community partnerships, the fair’s low-cost approach compared with the state fair, and fund-raising partnerships such as raffle proceeds benefiting Folds of Honor Minnesota.

Commissioner Joe Atkins (Commissioner, Dakota County Board of Commissioners) thanked Storley for the presentation and praised the fair’s affordability and accessibility programs. The board did not take formal action on the presentation; the item was listed as informational on the agenda.

The fair runs in late summer; Storley encouraged residents to follow the fair on social media for event details and noted that the Agricultural Society seeks volunteers and community support.