EMBARRASS- While you need to wait until the last full weekend in August for the actual Embarrass Region Fair, the fun begins at the fairgrounds the weekend prior, with team penning and ranch sorting starting Friday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. These events are fun for both the riders and spectators, the action is fast-paced, and most of the time the calves get the best of the wannabe cowboys.
In team penning, teams of three riders attempt to sort numbered calves into a corral at the opposite end of the horse arena. Of course, the calves don’t know the rules and chaos often ensues. Each team only has a few minutes to round up as many as three calves with the correct number.
There is no admission charge for these events. Team penning runs Friday, Aug. 18 from 3 p.m. – dusk, and on Saturday, Aug. 19 from 9 a.m. – dusk. Cost is $15 per rider for each run, with buckles and prize money awarded. Sunday, Aug. 20 is ranch sorting from 9 a.m. until done. Cost is $25 per rider for two runs. Buckles and prize money are awarded.
On Saturday, stop by Timber Hall to support the fight against ALS. The 8th Annual Ride, Raffle ‘n Roll for ALS is serving breakfast at Timber Hall from 8 – 10 a.m. The cost is $5.

Fair schedule
The fair itself gets underway on Friday, Aug. 25, with gates open at 2 p.m. There will be crafters and vendors inside and outside of Timber Hall. Wizard’s Kingdom Inflatables and pony rides are available from 4 p.m. – dusk. Live music with Big T and the Growlers, and Swamp Donkey is scheduled from 5 – 10 p.m.
A new event this year is the “Little Miss” Queen Coronation on Friday at 4:30 p.m. Eight area girls, ages eight to 13 have been selling fundraising raffle tickets that help fund fair activities.

Gates reopen at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
Special Saturday events include the Flying Finn 5K Run/Walk, which gets underway at 9:30 a.m. Register on race day at 8:30 a.m. and cost is $25. Find the form at https://www.embarrassrfa.org or call Christina Forsythe 218-750-8831.
Races for all ages are at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Check the website for details. The cornhole tournament starts at 11 a.m. Tricia and the Toonies, a family fun show, is on tap at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Amazing Charles Magic Show will be held at noon and 3 p.m. There will be magic, comedy, and balloon animals. There is live music hosted by Saturday Night Country…Live from 4 – 10 p.m.
The Tony Morsching Memorial Mud Run starts at 12:30 p.m. There is a separate admission for this event.
A special event this year is an All-School Reunion, being organized by the Embarrass Class of 1970, the last class to graduate from the Embarrass School. They will have school memorabilia and yearbooks on display, and on Saturday, Aug. 26 at 3:30 p.m., the graduates will be part of a group photo in front of Timber Hall. The Class of 1970 will also be presenting the fair association with a check for $2,000, money left over from their reunion fundraising.

Sunday events
Gates reopen at 7 a.m. on Sunday.
The Embarrass Fair Horse Show starts at 9 a.m. The Classic Car and Truck show runs from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., with awards at 2 p.m. The demolition derby begins at 12:30 p.m. and there is a separate admission fee for this event.
The Amazing Charles Magic Show will again be performed at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. The karaoke contest begins at noon. The dog show gets underway at 1 p.m. (see website for entry info).
The fair ends with a parade at 4 p.m. and the fairgrounds close at 6 p.m.

Activities both days
The softball tournament, Wizards Kingdom Inflatables, pony rides, animal barn and exhibit entries are available both Saturday and Sunday and breakfast is served in Timber Hall both days as well. Food vendors will be outdoors during fair hours Friday through Sunday.
This year, the animal barn will feature farm animals from a single farm, and no judging will take place.
New food vendors include Frozen Tundra with boba tea, cotton candy, and snow cones; and Aunt Edmoe’s Cookies with fried cookie dough and cheesecake on a stick. Buns-to-Go will be set up at the Mud Run and Demo Derby serving pulled pork and other sandwiches
“We have 13 food vendors this year,” said Sue Beaton who is one of the fair organizers. “We actually had to turn a few away.”
The Timber Hall kitchen will be serving breakfast each morning and walking tacos for lunch.
Also new this year will be Tae Kwon Do demonstrations. This booth will also feature a variety of free family-style games for both young children and teenagers. ATV Minnesota will be raffling off a new ATV. Northland Lawn and Sport will have equipment on display.
Bingo runs from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, and on Sunday from noon– 4 p.m.
Bring your quarters.

Odds and ends
The Timber Hall and Fairgrounds are located at 4855 Hwy. 21, in Embarrass. Four-wheelers are welcome on the grounds, but dirt bikes are prohibited. There is no charge for parking on the fairgrounds and all handicap-accessible spots are best accessed through the north gate.

Hours
Friday from 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm (north gate only)
Saturday from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday from 7:00 am – 3:00 pm

Gate Prices
Weekend wristbands $12 (sold on Friday only)
Admission $5/day with children 10 and under free with a paid adult

Events With Additional Fees
• Wizard’s Kingdom Inflatables and More
All weekend, $3 per ticket, 4 tickets for $10, 9 tickets for $20
• Pony Rides all weekend, $6 per ride
• Mud Run Saturday 12:30 p.m., spectator admission is $10/person, children 10 and under are FREE with a paid adult. Bleacher seating is available.
• Demolition Derby Sunday 12:30 p.m., spectator admission: $5/person, children 10 and under are FREE with a paid adult, seating is limited, so plan to sit on the ground or bring a lawn chair.