MONROE, Wis., — The Green County Fair returns July 15-19 with five days of livestock shows, carnival rides, grandstand events, live music and traditional county fair food at the Green County Fairgrounds in Monroe.

For New Glarus-area families, the fair is one of the biggest Green County events of the summer, the kind of mid-July tradition where the smell of the midway, the sound of tractors and trucks in the grandstand, and the steady rhythm of families moving between barns, food stands and rides all come together in one place.

It is part agricultural showcase, part community homecoming and part summer night out. The fair blends 4-H and FFA projects, dairy and livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, midway rides, evening entertainment and the kind of food that makes county fair week feel like county fair week. For some, that means watching young exhibitors lead animals into the show ring after months of work. For others, it means grandstand dust, carnival lights, live music in the entertainment tent or one more stop for fair food before heading home.

This year’s theme is Mardi Gras at the Green County Fair. The fairgrounds are located at 2600 10th St. in Monroe.