Everything you need to know about the 2023 Monroe County Fair

Maya Gray, The Herald-Times
·4 min read

If you’re looking for things to do around Bloomington, mark your calendars for July 1-9. The Monroe County Fair will officially begin July 3 with some activities beginning Saturday, July 1, and ending July 9. Each day brings musical performances, main attractions and carnival deals.

Tickets for those 13 or older will be $3 per person or $10 for a weekly pass. Kids 6-12 get in for $2 or $5 for a weekly pass, and youth under age 5 can enter for free. Parking is free, too.

Here are the top stops to make at the county fair.

Day One: Fair Queen and Princess

This year is the 72nd anniversary of the Monroe County Fair Queen and Princess Pageant. On Saturday, July 1 at 7 p.m. in the fairgrounds auditorium, you can support your favorite contestants. They are evaluated by interviews with the judges, prepared speeches, activity wear and formal wear. Adults can attend for $10, kids 6-12 for $5, and anyone under 5 is free.

Monroe County Fair Queen 2017 Bethany Stanger organizes trophies and ribbons for her court to distribute to winners in a dairy show. This year's contest will be the fair's 72nd.
Monroe County Fair Queen 2017 Bethany Stanger organizes trophies and ribbons for her court to distribute to winners in a dairy show. This year's contest will be the fair's 72nd.

Main attractions in the Grandstand Arena

On July 3, Supercross will be the first event in the Grandstand for this year's fair. Dirt bike and quad racers can head to the arena Monday night. Gates open at 4 p.m., practice starts at 6 and the event will begin at 7 p.m. Entry fees for racers range from $30 to $50.

At 7 on Tuesday, July 4, you can come to the second annual Huntley Hussle, a go-kart race hosted in memory of Kevin "The Pup" Huntley. The Bloomington native and renowned sprint car racer passed away in January 2022. Racers 16 years and older can enter the race.

Kids can attend Touch a Truck from noon to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5. Later that night, also in the Grandstand, is a mini excavator and tractor rodeo at 7.

Want to get rowdy? Look no further than the Three Bar J Rodeo. At 7 p.m. Thursday, July 6, professional bull riders and rodeo clowns will entertain the crowd in the Grandstand. From now until 6 p.m. July 2, locals can sign up to join the event. Adults get in for $10, and entry for kids younger than age 12 will be $5.

Head over to the Grandstand on Friday night at 7 for ATV and motorcycle racing.

The annual demolition derby will smash through the arena Saturday, July 8. Tickets are expected to cost $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under on the day of the event. The show starts at 7 p.m.

Aaron Crane inspects what's left of his 1976 Chrysler Cordoba after the engine caught fire during the 2022 Monroe County Fair Demolition Derby.
Aaron Crane inspects what's left of his 1976 Chrysler Cordoba after the engine caught fire during the 2022 Monroe County Fair Demolition Derby.

Live music at the Monroe County Fair Monday-Friday

Every weeknight, musicians will play at 8 p.m. at the Farm Bureau music stage on the fairgrounds' south lawn.

Monday, July 3, will bring Ma Upchurch, a seven-piece band playing classic country music and western swing, to the stage. All Access Band will play Tuesday. Indiana University alum and country musician Hank Ruff is scheduled for Wednesday night. On Thursday, you can see Bedford native Cody Ikerd and the Sidewinders. And, keeping it country, a Garth Brooks tribute band called No Fences will perform Friday evening.

Family-friendly, every day

During the fair, there will be a free petting zoo all day, every day, on the north lawn. You also can pay to ride ponies. From 5-9 each night, join laser tag provided by Tactical Force Mobile Laser Tag. The fee is included in fair admission.

Games, rides and colorful lights

Beginning July 4 and ending on July 9, attendees can have fun and chase a thrill at the fair carnival. You can buy armbands or ride tickets, and prices vary each night.

  • July 4: $30 unlimited rides, carnival opens at 6 p.m.

  • July 5: Two armbands for $30, carnival opens at 2 p.m.

  • July 6: All rides, one ticket ($2 for one ticket, 12 for $20), carnival opens at 6 p.m.

  • July 7: Carnival opens at 5 p.m.

  • July 8: $30 unlimited rides, carnival opens at 2 p.m.

  • July 9: All rides, one ticket ($2 for one ticket, 12 for $20), carnival open 1-5 p.m.

Check the carnival page on the Monroe County Fairgrounds website for more about the carnival rides.

Oh, and one more thing ... other than the fair on July 4

Don't have plans for the Fourth of July? Find a spot along the route the morning of July 4 to watch the Bloomington Fourth of July parade. The Bloomington Community Band will play on the courthouse square at 9 a.m., and the parade begins at 10. The route starts at the corner of 10th Street and College Avenue. It'll travel down College Avenue, turn onto Kirkwood Avenue, head along Walnut Street and end back at 10th and College.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Racing, rodeos, live music at the Monroe County Fair July 1-9