Byleigh Mcbride, Student Journalist
The 2025 North Dakota State Fair kicked off with a bang this past weekend, delivering unforgettable memories across two action-packed days of carnival fun, mouthwatering food, and high-energy performances, despite a little rain trying to get in the way.
From sunrise to well past sundown, fairgoers of all ages flooded the fairgrounds to ride the dizzying, delightful lineup of rides. Crowd favorites like the Ring of Fire, Sky Trip, and Downdraft were back and better than ever, with lines wrapping around the midway.
For thrill-seekers, rides like Air Maxx tested nerves and stomachs alike, while the littlest visitors delighted in gentle spins on the Carousel, Dragon Wagon, and Bear Affair. With rides costing just a few credits each, the midway stayed bustling from morning until night.
It wouldn’t be the state fair without the iconic food and the vendors delivered. From the very first fried Oreo to the final sip of fresh-squeezed lemonade, the options were endless and indulgent.
Fair staples like funnel cakes, turkey legs, corn dogs, and deep-fried pickles drew big lines and bigger smiles. Adventurous eaters hunted down spicy barbecue, loaded nachos, and artisan bratwursts, while others cooled off with slushies, shaved ice, or fruit smoothies.
Friday night brought the first Grandstand headliner: Bailey Zimmerman, who took the stage with a roar from the crowd. Opening with hits like Religiously and Rock and a Hard Place, Zimmerman’s gritty vocals and lively performance set the tone for what’s shaping up to be one of the Fair’s best musical lineups yet.
Fans sang along word-for-word, and his energy kept the audience on their feet for the entire set. It was the perfect kickoff for the nine-night concert series.
Saturday night looked like another clear win, until the clouds rolled in halfway through Ian Munsick’s set. But even as raindrops began to fall, spirits stayed sky-high.
Munsick, ever the showman, pushed through the drizzle with charm and determination. His Wyoming-born country western sound, mixing fiddle-fueled ballads with modern cowboy swagger, rang out loud and clear.
From Long Live Cowgirls to emotional tracks of White Buffalo, the performance became something special. Not just a concert, but a shared experience. Soaked fans danced under the sun, singing along in a moment that will live long past the small rain puddles.
The North Dakota State Fair runs for 9 action packed days. There will be more concerts, more rides, and more deep-fried everything through Saturday, promising small-town fun on a state-sized scale.
