Fair week is here: 2026 Midland County Fair gets underway

Six-year-old Khloe Winter rides a camel during the Midland County Fair on Monday, Aug. 17. The barns are full, the food stands are firing up, and the midway is preparing to come alive as another week of the Midland County Fair gets underway. For fairgoers arriving Monday, there was already plenty to see well before the rides began turning at 4 p.m. Families wandered through livestock barns, watched 4-H exhibitors in the show ring, and started making their way through the fair’s many food vendors. Fairgoers like Frank Mudrow plan to return for the concert and new entertainment tent. “We’re here now for the 4-H events, but we’ll be back later for the concert tonight and again to check out the new tent,” Mudrow said. Erin Winter and her family arrived early to watch 4-H showmanship and explore the animal barns. Dorothy Miller attends daily during the fair, enjoying the community and activities. The Midland County Fair Board President, Clark Gerstacker, highlights efforts to attract visitors with new entertainment and agricultural education. The fair introduced a livestock auction on Sunday night, drawing between 400 and 500 attendees. A new entertainment tent opens Tuesday with DJs and live bands, aiming to draw more visitors. Gerstacker emphasizes the fair’s mission to promote agriculture and horticulture through 4-H exhibits and community engagement. Fair food options include barbecue, Mexican food, steak-tip dinners, and classic treats like deep-fried Oreos. The livestock area features reorganized barns by species and vendors selling farm equipment, new cars, and trucks. Gerstacker assures visitors there’s something for everyone, promising a week filled with shows, rides, music, fair food, and agricultural exhibits.