What To Know About Minnesota’s 2025 ‘Old School State Fair’

The Minnesota State Fair has its roots deeply planted in the world of agriculture. Whether it be the animals in the barns or the food and beverages made from crops raised in the state, it continues to be a showcase of the state.

Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly love the Minnesota State Fair. There's a reason it continues to be named one of the best in the country. That said, there is another major fair-like event I like to think of as Minnesota's "Old School State Fair".

Have you heard of this event before?

NOTE: First, I live in the Duluth area and want to acknowledge an event like this one in my area. The Lakehead Harvest Show in Esko is a smaller-scale event like the one I am writing about, happening August 22-24 this year. A little later in the month is a much larger event, which is also a bit more of a drive away for me, but very worth the trip! I've been there several times. Here's what to know about it. 

Happening over a portion of the same timeframe as the Minnesota State Fair is an event called the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion (WMSTR), or simply "Rollag" for those in the know.

This year's event (just like in years past) is being held over Labor Day Weekend. It is Friday, August 29, through Monday, September 1, 2025.

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The name Rollag comes from the name of the small Western Minnesota town that hosts this huge farm event each year, which really focuses on the history of agriculture in the region.

How huge is it? The event is hosted on a roughly 300-acre complex that is set up almost like a small town. Here's what is at Rollag.

What's at the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion?

So much! Food, things to see, and activities for the entire family! Here's a look.

At the center of this event is a lot of interesting and historical farm equipment like old tractors and threshing machines, brought in by people from across the region. From steam-powered tractors and antique gas-powered machinery to unique small-engine creations and even horse-drawn farm equipment, there's a lot of cool farm history on display each year.

Each year, there is a theme of sorts for some of the displays. For 2025, the theme is "Horsepower", with literal horse-powered equipment being the centerpiece. The gas engine feature for this year will be oil field engines and related items, but there will (as always) be a variety of things to see from throughout farming history.

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Along with the farm equipment, there are a lot of other attractions! There are buildings full of miniature and model engines, a working sawmill, a blacksmith & foundry with demonstrations, food & other vendors, an old merry-go-round you can ride on,d and even "Main Street" with a general store, mercantile, old post office, and other elements of an old town.

During your visit, you can enjoy live music, grab some food from a vendor, jump aboard the working steam-powered train that goes around the grounds, watch the old construction equipment at work in "The Sandbox," or watch one of the parades of old tractors and equipment, or catch a tractor pull.

There really is a lot to see and do! You can see a map of all of the things to do around the expansive grounds here.

Whether you're someone with deep ties to farming or someone who's just interested in history, equipment and engineering, animals, and other farm things, this is an event well worth visiting. 

Rollag is just one of the several awesome antique tractor and steam threshing shows around Minnesota. Here are some of the great ones around the state to check out!