Frequently asked questions

Yes. The Floral Hall & Pavilion is the grounds' favorite wedding and reception space — an indoor-outdoor pavilion with roll-up glass walls that open to the lawn, seating up to 300 guests. Larger receptions can also use the Four Seasons Building. Tell the events office your date and headcount and they reply within one business day with availability and a quote.

The Rates & Fee Schedule page lists illustrative daily and hourly rates for every space, plus deposit and add-on fees. Actual pricing is confirmed by the events office for your specific date and event — share what you're planning and they'll return a straightforward quote within one business day.

Use the Book Venue reservation request form, or call or email the Graham Park events office directly. Tell them the space you're interested in, your preferred dates and your headcount; they confirm availability and pricing within one business day.

Yes — a 25% booking deposit holds your date, with the balance due 30 days before your event, plus a separate refundable damage deposit. Cancel 90+ days out and the rental fee is refunded less a small booking fee; 30–89 days out gets a 50% refund; under 30 days the rental fee isn't refundable, though the damage deposit still is. Full details are on the Rates & Fees page.

Food service must come from a licensed, insured caterer — home-prepared or potluck food isn't permitted in halls seating 100 or more. Alcohol is allowed with a licensed, insured server and proof of liquor liability coverage; BYOB isn't permitted. See the Rules & Policies page for the full requirements.

Open flame candles are fine if fully enclosed in glass; nothing may be nailed, stapled or taped to walls or woodwork; and glitter, confetti and rice aren't allowed indoors. Load-in and load-out need to happen inside your contracted rental block. The Rules & Policies page has the complete list.

Yes — renters carry general liability insurance and provide a Certificate of Insurance naming Olmsted County as an additional insured at least 14 days before the event. The events office can point you to a short-term event-policy option if you don't already carry your own.

Yes. The Open Grounds & Show Rings area offers full-hookup RV sites with power and water throughout, plus primitive sites — minutes from downtown Rochester and Mayo Clinic. RV and oversized-vehicle parking is on the south grounds.

Yes — the Free Fair has been free at the gate since 1867. Parking is paid during the fair and major shows, but there is no admission charge to enter the fair itself.

It depends on the event — each event listing shows its own admission (some are free, some charge a gate price, and a few paid events can sell tickets online). Check the specific event on the Events page for its admission details.

Yes. All buildings and primary routes are wheelchair accessible with paved or hard-packed paths, ramped entrances and accessible restrooms, and accessible parking is marked at each entrance. If you need a specific accommodation, call the office at least 72 hours ahead and staff will arrange it.

Graham Park is at 1403 3rd Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904 — just southeast of downtown Rochester, minutes from Mayo Clinic and US-52. See the Plan Your Visit page for driving directions from US-52, US-14 and I-90, plus parking and transit details.

There are thousands of free parking spaces on non-event days. During the fair and major shows, parking is paid. Accessible parking is located near every building entrance, and RV / oversized-vehicle parking is on the south grounds.

Yes — the Vendors & Exhibitors page lists booth types, illustrative fees and everything we need from you, and it carries an application form. Free Fair booth applications open January 15 and close May 1; year-round events are booked through the individual event's organizer, usually about 90 days out.

Full-hookup sites are $42 a night, water-and-electric $35, and primitive tent sites $20, with weekly and monthly rates on the RV & Camping page. The campground runs mid-April through mid-October. Call (507) 328-6100 or email the office with your dates and rig length; a 25% deposit holds the site. Free Fair week is reservation-only and opens April 1.

Yes. Graham Park has a 125' × 250' Covered Show Ring, an 80' × 150' outdoor warm-up arena, portable stalling for up to 250 head and species-specific barns with wash racks. Stalls run $15 per head per day. Every animal needs a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued within 30 days. Full detail is on the Livestock, 4-H & Equestrian page.

Four annual sponsorship levels run from $1,500 to $25,000, and there are à la carte options like arena banners, program ads and public address reads. The digital marquee boards at the entrances sell slide time at $140 per slide per week, with discounts at 26 and 52 weeks. See the Sponsorship & Advertising page, then call the events office.

Weapons except as Minnesota law allows, cannabis and illegal drugs, outside alcohol, glass containers and hard-sided coolers, drones without written authorization, and pets outside the Open Grounds and livestock areas. Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks in a soft-sided bag are fine. The Guest Services & Safety page has the full list.

Outdoor events run rain or shine, but outdoor programming stops whenever lightning is detected within eight miles and resumes 30 minutes after the last strike inside that radius. The Four Seasons Building and Exhibition Building are the designated severe-weather shelters. The county can cancel an event for public health or safety, and refunds the rental fee in full if it does.

Yes. Registered 501(c)(3) organizations, county youth programs and county-affiliated community groups get 35% off the published daily rate on weekdays and 20% off on weekends, in every space except the Grandstand during Free Fair week. Send your determination letter with your reservation request and the events office applies it to the quote.

Volunteer shifts run through fair week and large events — gates, barns, parking, exhibit halls and cleanup — with a minimum age of 14, or 16 for barn and youth-facing roles. Paid seasonal and year-round positions are posted and hired through Olmsted County Human Resources. Both are covered on the Volunteer & Jobs page.

We don't take new rental requests inside 30 days of the event date. Courtesy holds go on the calendar up to 24 months out and become a confirmed booking with the 25% deposit. If someone else wants a date you're holding, you get five business days to convert it or release it. The Planner Resources page has the full timeline.