Participants in the Beef Show at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Aitkin County hosted its county fair July 9-12, 2025, complete with animals, rides, live music, stock car races and so much more.
AITKIN — Aitkin County hosted its 134th annual county fair, showcasing agriculture, animals, food and fun for area residents and visitors.
The fair ran July 9-12, featuring a foam zone for children, a fashion show and a rodeo, along with classes and activities open to anyone as well as art by county residents. First responders had their own attractions at the fair, including the fire department's beer garden and the police department's dunk tank.
The fair also included a wide array of shows and contests for kids and adults, from livestock to quilts to decorating a tree. Judges awarded ribbons to the best sauces, breads and pickles.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
Kirk Peysar, Aitkin County Fair lifetime member and fair volunteer for 58 years, at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
A goat at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
Upside down riders in The Fireball ride at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
Raiji Guston shows Veda in the Open Class Beef show at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
Kids play in bubbles from the Foam Zone at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
Hang for 100 seconds, win $100. The Hangtime Challenge at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
Kamiann Dosh and her daughter Oakley Dosh, age 8, play the ring toss game at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
1 of 18 — Huck Novotny at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.jpg
Huck Novotny at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
2 of 18 — Young kids visit goat kids at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.jpg
Young kids visit goat kids at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
3 of 18 — The cotton candy booth at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.jpg
The cotton candy booth at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
4 of 18 — A calf named Stitch at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.jpg
A calf named Stitch at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
5 of 18 — A Grand Champion chicken at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.jpg
A Grand Champion chicken at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
6 of 18 — 02 The cotton candy booth at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.jpg
The cotton candy booth at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
7 of 18 — Ribbons hang in the Goat Building at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.jpg
Ribbons hang in the Goat Building at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
8 of 18 — The open class swine show at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.jpg
The Open Class Swine Show at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
9 of 18 — The Open Class Beef show at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.jpg
The Open Class Beef show at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
10 of 18 — Young kids pet goat kids at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.jpg
Young kids pet goat kids at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
11 of 18 — Cows and calfs from the Nicko Farmstead at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.jpg
Cows and calfs from the Nicko Farmstead at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
12 of 18 — Henry Nicko with calf, Jeffrey and cow, Burger at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.jpg
Henry Nicko with calf, Jeffrey, and cow, Burger, at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
13 of 18 — Aitkin County Fair sign in Aitkin, Minnesota.jpg
Aitkin County Fair sign in Aitkin, Minnesota.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
14 of 18 — 02 Kids in the Foam Zone at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.jpg
Kids in the Foam Zone at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
15 of 18 — Jace Novotny participates in the Open Class Beef show at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.jpg
Jace Novotny participates in the Open Class Beef show at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
16 of 18 — Ty Novotny, age 7, prepares to show his calf at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.jpg
Ty Novotny, age 7, prepares to show his calf at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
17 of 18 — A Minnesota State Beef Ambassador belt buckle worn by Raiji Guston at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.jpg
A Minnesota State Beef Ambassador belt buckle worn by Raiji Guston at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
18 of 18 — Delylah Voller with her calf, Stitch who won a blue ribbon, at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.jpg
Delylah Voller with her calf, Stitch who won a blue ribbon, at the Aitkin County Fair in Aitkin on July 11, 2025.
The YMCA will sublease one of its classrooms in the Itasca Resource Center in Grand Rapids, and Early EDge will use the space to teach and care for 3-year-olds.
About 235 employees will be laid off as a result, starting Sept. 25, 2025, and Super One will offer employees an opportunity to interview for positions, according to DEED.
This project will resurface the highway, improve drainage, replace sidewalks, and improve pedestrian crossings, with all work expected to be completed by this fall.
St. Louis County deputies responded to a scene northeast of Duluth, MN, after a volunteer firefighter and township police officer were reportedly fired upon.
NWS has forecast multiple rounds of showers and storms Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in north-central and northeastern MN, with rainfall potential through 7 a.m. Wednesday.
Mitchell has pleaded not guilty to first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools. If convicted, Mitchell faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The center welcomed its first patient on Monday, July 14, 2025. The stated goal of the center is to provide rural Minnesotans cancer treatment with a shorter drive.
Heavy ground-level smoke from wildfires in central Canada moved into Minnesota behind a line of thunderstorms on Friday, July 11, 2025, prompting an air quality alert.
Lorie Shaull has dedicated countless hours behind the scenes to bringing the stories of our news, KAXE Morning Show and music departments to life with her beautiful and compelling images.