Record Crowds, Record Fun: McKenzie County Fair
M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer
With the 2026 McKenzie County Fair officially concluded, by all accounts, it was a massive success that drew visitors from across the region. Chris Kubal, Director of the McKenzie County Ag Expo, gave The Farmer a recap of this year’s event.
The first indicator of its success was the great turnout. Attendance numbers climbed by 1,000 people compared to previous years, nearly 14,000 attendees passed through the gates throughout the week to enjoy the festivities. While a rainy Thursday caused a slight dip in turnout for that day, the rest of the week saw packed crowds, including a sold-out Friday night featuring over 2,500 seats sold for the derby.
Kubal attributed the high level of community engagement to the fair’s ability to offer a high-quality, diverse experience at an accessible price. Attendees were treated to a wide range of free activities, including magicians, hypnotists, stilt walkers, and a variety of family-friendly entertainment like bounce houses, bubble machines, and character artists, all alongside a high-quality livestock show held in air-conditioned comfort. With over 20 food options and a carnival that ranks as one of the largest in Western North Dakota, the fair provided something for everyone without breaking the bank.
The consistent volume of visitors kept the parking lots full, a challenge the fair committee is already addressing through a second phase of expansion to add more lighted and paved parking. To manage the influx this year, the committee implemented successful shuttle services to transport visitors to and from town. The high turnout proved so significant that some food vendors had to shut down early after running out of supplies to serve the crowds. Livestock shows also remained a major draw, boasting full bleachers throughout the week.
Behind the scenes, the Fairboard worked together like a “well-oiled machine,” navigating the complexities of such a large-scale event through advanced planning and strong team collaboration. While the board is already working to rectify challenges regarding ticket logistics for next year, the overall sentiment is one of pride in the fair’s growing reputation. Visitors traveled from all over North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana to attend what is being hailed as the “Best Show in the West” for a county fair. As for what is in store for next year, organizers are keeping their plans under wraps for now, promising that they are already booking new entertainment to keep the momentum going.