EXHIBIT · MINNESOTA STATE FAIR
Pigeons & Doves
Tucked among the rows of wire show cages in the Sheep & Poultry Barn, the fancy pigeon and dove exhibit is one of the fair's most surprising stops, full of birds that look almost too fancy to be real. You'll spot puffed-up Pouters that inflate their chests like balloons, frizzy-feathered Frillbacks, and tumbling Rollers, all bred over centuries for their wild colors, shapes, and feathered "boots." Both 4-H youth and open-class adult fanciers bring their best birds to be judged against breed standards.
The 2026 Minnesota State Fair ended on Monday, September 7, 2026. Everything below describes the 2026 fair, which is the most recent one I hold — stands, buildings and rides carry over year to year, but dates, prices and schedules do not. I update it when the fair publishes for 2027. The 2027 fair runs August 26 – September 6, 2027 — 293 days away.
- Building
- Rabbit & Poultry Exhibits
Which breeds are in the barn?
15 breeds are shown here: Fantail, Pouter, Jacobin, Frillback, English Trumpeter, Modena, King, Roller (Birmingham Roller), Homing Pigeon (Racing Homer), Old German Owl, Nun, Tumbler, Archangel, Ringneck Dove, Diamond Dove.
When is the judging?
- Open Class Pigeon Judging — Tue 1 Sep
When are the animals actually in the barn?
4-H poultry: first four days. Open class poultry & pigeons arrival Monday, Aug. 31, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (closed to public until noon); departure Thursday, Sept. 3, noon to 4 p.m. FFA poultry arrival Friday, Sept. 4, 4 a.m. to 1 p.m.; departure Monday, Sept. 7, noon to 4 p.m. 2026 Poultry Barn hours: Aug. 27-29 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; Aug. 30 8 a.m.–noon; Aug. 31 noon–8 p.m. (late open, livestock arrival); Sept. 1-2 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sept. 3 8 a.m.–noon; Sept. 4 noon–8 p.m. (late open); Sept. 5-6 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sept. 7 8 a.m.–noon.
Worth knowing
- Some pigeons, called Homing Pigeons, can find their way back home from hundreds of miles away, even from places they have never been before.
- The Jacobin pigeon has a giant hood of feathers around its head that looks just like a fluffy hooded sweatshirt, sometimes hiding its face completely.
- Pouter pigeons can puff up their chests with air like a balloon to show off, making them look much bigger than they really are.
- Fantail pigeons can spread their tails into a fan of 30 to 40 feathers, almost like a tiny peacock.
- All fancy pigeon breeds, from tiny tumblers to big Kings, descend from the same wild rock pigeon you see in city parks.
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Last verified against the fair's own listing. Anything I cannot source I leave blank rather than estimate.
Compiled and checked by Keith Gulbro, who has been going to this fair for thirty-odd years and builds MN Fair Guide on his own — why he does it. Spotted something wrong? Tell him and it gets fixed.
MN Fair Guide is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Minnesota State Fair. Browse the whole fair in the guide, read about the app, or send a correction.