July 28 - Aug 2, 2026

Days
Hours
Minutes

Children's Activities

Blue Ribbon Kids Club

Our Blue Ribbon Kids’, the Fair’s special club for ages 12 and under, allows children to experience the Fair from a unique perspective. Blue Ribbon Kids’ members will get a rare glimpse at the heart of the Dubuque County Fair and become part of the action during special kids’ club activities. Blue Ribbon Kids’ Club members not only get a hands-on Fair experience but will receive a birthday card and invites to all kinds of other year-round happenings; like our special and amazing events we have planned!

Stay tuned to see what we have in store for 2026!

Tiny Town

Tiny Town is located in the Kids Zone, near the Ground Acts and along side the main gate’s fence line – it has all sorts of unique play area space for those little ones looking to keep busy at the fair, too! Whether it be the construction zone area, farmer’s market stand, the farm barn zone, large corn pit, and a few other little things in between, it is a unique, hands on experience with sensory toys, imaginative sparking and engaging toys to play with, and a great space to take a break, cool off in the shade, and let those wiggles out! We are always looking at adding things to this area or getting creative – this came to life thanks to some very special people in 2025 and we hope to keep it flourishing for years to come!

Would you like to be involved in Tiny Town? We are always looking for kind, dedicated partnerships and sponsors to keep this passion project growing!

Cupcake Decorating

Tuesday, July 28th, 2026 is a super-SWEET treat of an experience for children, and adults- to learn all about cupcake decorating and all things bakery and confections with Amy from Sprinkled Confections – Holy Cross, Iowa! This will be a class in the Creative Arts Building (attached to the 4-H Building) on Tuesday of the Fair, from 1pm and will last about an hour to an hour and a half or so! We are so excited to see what Amy will be ‘whipping’ up! 🙂

Old McDonald's Farm

Brought to you by quite a handful of our lovely community members, we will have a little walk thru barn experience with animals of all kinds – chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, bunnies, and a few others for the kids to take a walk through and see some animals they may not get to see too often- up close! This barn experience is open from approx. 8am – 8pm each night of the fair.

Children's Contests

Coloring Contest

Contest Closes July 25 Winners Announced Tuesday, July 28th, 2026 Contest Link

Kid's Pedal Tractor Pull

Wednesday, July 29 | 1:30 PM Festival Garden

Famous Frog Jump Contest

Wednesday, July 29 | 4:00 PM Festival Garden

Eating Contest

Thursday, July 30 | 12:00 PM Grand Ballroom

Tiny Prince & Princess Contest

Thursday, July 30 | 3:00 PM Festival Garden

Lego Contest

Thursday, July 30 | 1:30 PM Creative Arts Building

Kiddie Car Show

Friday, July 31 | 2:00 PM Grandstands

Bacon Buddies (4-H Event)

Thursday, July 30 | 2:30 PM Swine Barn

Clover Kids (4-H Event)

Thursday, July 30 | 2:30 PM Show Barn

Chicken Clucking Contest

Friday, July 31 | 4:00 PM Saturday, August 1 | 4:00 PM Sunday, August 2 | 4:00 PM Grand Ballroom