WEST FARGO, N.D. (RRVF) – The Red River Valley Fair (RRVF) is proud to announce a major milestone in its continued growth and commitment to year-round entertainment: Dakota Magic Casino has officially signed on as the Official Stage Sponsor of the Fair’s new permanent, professional-grade grandstand stage.
This transformational project is made possible through a combination of state support and private partnership. The North Dakota Department of Commerce has awarded the Red River Valley Fair $616,697 through its Destination Development Grant Program—part of a larger $15 million investment across 23 projects statewide aimed at boosting tourism and strengthening community infrastructure.
Notably, the Red River Valley Fair Project is one of only two grants awarded in the Fargo-Moorhead area.
Dakota Magic Casino is providing the critical matching funds needed to bring this project to life, solidifying a powerful new partnership focused on long-term regional impact. The new stage—set to be the largest in the region—will feature a permanent, professional-grade grandstand and upgraded support facilities, positioning the Fairgrounds to host larger
national acts, expanded programming, and enhanced guest experiences year-round.
“This is an exciting new partnership for us. We’ve truly loved working with Dakota Magic Casino and their team. They have big goals just like we do, and we’re incredibly excited to see our relationship continue to grow while bringing something this impactful to our community.” said Cody Cashman, CEO. These enhancements will expand year-round programming, attract larger acts, and strengthen the region’s cultural and entertainment profile—further establishing the Red River Valley Fairgrounds as a premier destination in the Upper Midwest. Construction is expected to begin soon, with groundbreaking planned in the coming weeks and completion scheduled before June 1, 2026—just in time for a full summer of events.
The new stage will debut ahead of two major seasonal highlights: The Red River Valley Speedway kicks off racing on May 22, 2026. The Red River Valley Fair returns for the “10 Best Days of Summer” from July 3–12, 2026.
With this investment, the Fairgrounds continue to evolve as a hub for entertainment, agriculture, and community connection—delivering experiences that drive economic impact and create lasting memories for generations to come.
The Red River Valley Fair is also proud to unveil the highly anticipated 2026 Grandstand Entertainment lineup, bringing an exciting and diverse mix of events to the Dakota Magic Casino Stage at the All Finish Concrete Grandstand during the 10 Best Days of Summer, July 3–12, 2026.
This year’s lineup delivers something for everyone—from high-octane racing and fan-favorite derby events to chart-topping artists and genre-spanning performances.
The Grandstand schedule includes:
Friday, July 3 – Fair Race
Saturday, July 4 – Combine Demo Derby & Demolition Derby
Sunday, July 5 – Demolition Derby
Tuesday, July 7 – Hairball (Free with Gate Admission)
Wednesday, July 8 – BlackHawk (Free with Gate Admission)
Thursday, July 9 – Stone Temple Pilots, Candlebox & Pop Evil
Friday, July 10 – Jason Derulo & Bobby V
Saturday, July 11 – Trace Adkins, Chase Matthew & Uncle Kracker
“We are incredibly excited about the diversity of this year’s grandstand lineup,” said Cody Cashman, CEO. “From our dirt series kicking things off over the first weekend, to fan-favorite shows like Hairball and Blackhawk, to new festival-style concert nights for both rock and country—this lineup truly has something for everyone.”
The opening weekend brings the return of adrenaline-pumping dirt events, including races and demolition derbies that have become a staple of the Fair experience. Midweek, attendees can enjoy live music included with gate admission, while Thursday and Saturday introduce a new festival-style format, featuring multiple artists and a full night of entertainment for both rock and country fans.
All grandstand events take place at the Dakota Magic Casino Stage at the All-Finish Concrete Grandstand, the Fair’s premier destination for live entertainment. Concert tickets and additional details will be available at redrivervalleyfair.com
Select shows are included with gate admission, while others require reserved seating. Blue Ribbon Pit Passes go on sale Wednesday 3/25 at 10am .This exclusive pass includes pit access to every grandstand concert plus general admission for all 10 days of the fair, putting you right in the middle of the action all summer long. Tickets go on sale Thursday, March 26 at 10am CT. Ticketed events include gate admission for a limited time. Get ready to experience unforgettable nights of entertainment, community, and summer tradition at the 2026 Red River Valley Fair.