Dakota County Fair to Offer Free Weddings

For the first time ever, a few lucky couples will be able to get married for free at the Dakota County Fair this summer.

The fair, held at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington, runs from Aug. 5-11.

“Love will be in the air at the Dakota County Fair,” reads a flyer promoting the opportunity to marry before a judge at the Bandstand Pavilion on the evenings of Aug. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10. Couples must register in advance by contacting the court administration at [email protected].

“We decided to offer free weddings as a way to give back to the community,” said Maria King, Dakota County Court Administrator, adding that weddings after courthouse hours can cost between $150 and $350, depending on the location.

King said county officials got the idea from Hennepin County courts, which have performed free weddings on Valentine’s Day in recent years. Ramsey County offered Valentine’s Day weddings last year for the first time.

Goodhue and McLeod counties also plan to offer a limited number of couples the opportunity to marry this year, King said, with McLeod planning weddings Aug. 16 and 17 and Goodhue Aug. 7 and 8. Email [email protected] or call 320-864-1285 for McLeod County. Email Vanessa Jeske at [email protected] for Goodhue County.