Indiana’s Cool North and County Fairs
Posted on March 26, 2022 by Dina Miller
There’s something about that annual county fair that just gets into your heart and soul.
From the early morning sounds of the fair waking up – animals stirring in the stalls, carnival workers checking the rides, and concessionaires heating up their fryers – to the giant boom of fireworks at the end of the evening, it’s an American icon that draws people back year after year. Not only is Indiana the crossroads of the nation, but the heart of the Midwest, where county fairs have meant endless fun and family time for generations.
A number of counties that make up Indiana’s Cool North hosts a county fair with its own special flair. But they all have one thing in common – the ability to draw thousands of people each year for a week or more of pure Americana. You can spend days taking in a huge array of events, from 4-Hers showing their prized animals to local talent shows, thrilling rides, fabulous food, big-name entertainers, rodeos, and tractor pulls, but still not cover everything there is to do.
So mark your calendar, load up the family, touch the Heartland’s roots, and perhaps start a tradition of your own that will carry on in years to come. Welcome to Northern Indiana’s very cool fairs! Here’s what’s in store, with links to complete descriptions of each fair:
Here’s a guide to the county fairs in Indiana’s Cool North this summer:
St. Joseph County 4-H Fair
Where: St. Joseph County Fairgrounds, South Bend
When: July 1-9, 2022
Evenings at the St Joseph County Fair feature daily nights of entertainment with a host of talent, the Fair Queen Contest, and, of course, four nights of the big fireworks show. Don’t miss the three-ring circus and Aussie Kingdom Shows each day.
- For more information
LaPorte County Fair
Where: LaPorte County Fairgrounds, LaPorte
When: July 9-16, 2022
Two big Grandstand shows at the LaPorte County Fair include Parker McCollum and Walker Hayes. The Entertainment Tent brings a host of free performances that range from country to easy listening to soul. The fair is also staging some featured events – the NTPA tractor pull, demolition derbies, Rolling Stone Rodeo, and the County Fair Queen contest. Step back in time at Pioneerland.
- For more information
- For more information on the area, visit MichiganCityLaPorte.com
LaGrange County 4-H Fair
Where: LaGrange County 4-H Fairgrounds, LaGrange
When: July 9-16, 2022
The LaGrange County Fair gets off to a great start with grandstand events. The whole family will love the daily shows. Be prepared for different thrills with rodeo competition, midget auto racing and extreme supercross racing.
- For more information
Porter County Fair
Where: Porter County Expo Center and Fairgrounds, Valparaiso
When: July 21-30, 2022
The yearly lineup of grandstand talent at the Porter County Fair is so impressive that it easily matches some much larger state fairs across the country. And for fairgoers who love to watch exciting action, this year’s fair will feature A-Bar Rodeo Bull Riding for fast-paced competition, the Super Show Tractor Pull, A Tuff Truck Challenge and Demolition Derby.
- For more information
- For more information on the area, visit IndianaDunes.com
Elkhart County 4-H Fair
Where: Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds, Goshen
When: July 22-30, 2022
Naturally, the Elkhart County Fair is filled with non-stop entertainment, including five nights of shows on the Grandstand stage, tractor pull, rodeo and demolition derby round out the 9 days of Grandstand entertainment.
- For more information
- For more information on the area visit VisitElkhartCounty.com
Other Fairs in Indiana's Cool North
Kosciusko County Community Fair
Where: Kosciusko County Fairgrounds, Warsaw
When: July 10-16, 2022
• For more information
Lake County Fair
Where: Lake County Fairgrounds, Crown Point
When: August 5-14, 2022
• For more information
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