This weekender features fair food, rides, and more at the Benton County Fairgrounds. If you're looking for a great magic show, Illusionist Dan Sperry is is town for one night only. There's also more music for everyone's taste this weekend including a show by Dennis Warner and the D's, a concert by local rock musicians, and a Bluegrass Festival.

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    Benton County Fair

    Benton Country Fairgrounds - Sauk Rapids

    It's the Benton County Fair this week, and if you haven't made it out to fair yet, you have to do so this weekend. The Grandstand is full of events including a Truck & Tractor Pull, Demolition Derby, and the Mighty Mower Races. At the Beer Garden Stage you can catch Tripwire, Rockin' Rolliewoods, Coyote Wild, White Keys, Shalo Lee, and The Red Letter Band in concert. The Benton County Fair Talent Show also starts tonight at 7:00 p.m., with shows at the same time on Friday and Saturday as well. And of course who can forget all of the fun rides at the Midway. Armbands are once again available this year.

    Also the Benton County Fair will be hosting "The Wall That Heals" this year. It's a 250 foot traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The wall is open to the public during the fair. There will be a closing ceremony at The Wall on Sunday, August 8th at 4:00 p.m. Below is a video of "The Wall That Heals" being set up. 

    The Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts' Mobile Hot Shop will also be doing narrated demonstrations through Saturday.

    Click all of the above links for times and dates of all the events, or CLICK HERE to visit the fair website.

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    Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival

    El Rancho Mañana - Richmond
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    The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival is this weekend, and there's an incredible line-up featuring the reunion of the iconic Hot Rize. Their alter egos Red Knuckles & The Trailblazers will also be making an appearance. You can catch their show on Saturday. Other bands hitting the stage this weekend include Balsam Range, Eddie & Martha Adcock with Tom Gray, Red Molly, Jump Steady Boys, The Bucking Mules, The Bootlickers, Wild Goose Chase Cloggers, Bernie King & The Guilty Pleasures, The Good Intentions, Borderstone, Ivory Bridge, The High 48s, Tin Can Gin, Dead Pigeons, Barton's Hollow, The Fish Heads, The Dumpy Jug Bumpers, and The Wailing Loons.

    Along with the 18 main stage acts, nightly dances will be held at the Showcase Tent; music, games, contests, and crafts in the Family Area; hands on workshops; and more music at The Underground and Ranch House Live.

    Check out the video below from the 2013 Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival.

    CLICK HERE for a full schedule and times.

    • Thursday, August 6th - Sunday August 9th
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    Music in the Gardens

    Munsinger Clemens Gardens - St. Cloud
    Dennis Warner and The D's
    (Photo Courtesy: warnersongs.com)
    Dennis Warner and The D's
    (Photo Courtesy: warnersongs.com)
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    The Music in the Gardens series is coming close to the end. This is the second to last concert this year. On Sunday Dennis Warner & the D's will be taking the stage. Joining Warner on stage will be Dan Neale, Derrick Raiter, and Dennis "DK" Kennedy. Warner has over 10 CD's to his name, is a three-time Kerrville Folk Fest "New Folk" Finalist, and author of Beads on One String. You can catch the music starting at 3:00 p.m. near the Gazebo in Munsinger Gardens. This is a free event.

    There is one concert left in the series. Monday Night Jazz will take the stage on August 23rd. In case you missed the Memorial Release of the Butterflies, that video is below.

    CLICK HERE for more information.

    • Sunday, August 9th, 3:00 p.m.
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    Shock Illusionist Dan Sperry

    Paramount Theater - St. Cloud

    His career began when he was only four years old, and his first paid show was at the age of eleven, by seventeen he was internationally recognized illusionist. Get a preview of his work HERE. Shock Illusionist Dan Sperry is fresh off his world tour. He was the star of the #1 best selling magic show in Broadway history. Sperry was awarded as "Most Original Magician" and was voted twice as "Most Cutting Edge Magic". He's made appearances on NBC, iTV, RTL, FOX, TLC, ABC FOX, TLC, Masters of Illusion, and America's Got Talent. You can now catch this awarded winning magician live at the Paramount Theater for one night only. Ticket for the show are $18.

    CLICK HERE for ticket information.

    • Saturday, August 8th, 7:30 p.m.
    Getty Images
    Getty Images
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    School of Rock Concert

    Paramount Theater - St. Cloud

    The Wirth Center for the Performing Arts presents the School of Rock Concert. This concert features 65 local teen rock musicians showing their stuff with professional sound, lighting, and special effects. This is the eleventh concert that's been performed. The rockers are grouped into 10 bands, choose their music, and rehearse on guitars, bass guitars, drums, keyboards and vocals for two weeks under the direction of central Minnesota's top rock artists. Tickets for the show are $7. Be sure to catch these rockers on stage tonight.

    CLICK HERE for ticket information.

    • Thursday, August 6th, 7:00 p.m.
    Photo by Keri Raiber
    Photo by Keri Raiber
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