EXHIBIT · MINNESOTA STATE FAIR
Rabbits
Hundreds of rabbits hop into the Poultry Barn each year, ranging from 2-pound Netherland Dwarfs to Flemish Giants that can top 15 pounds. ARBA-licensed judges evaluate each rabbit against the American Rabbit Breeders Association "Standard of Perfection," checking body type, fur, and condition, while 4-H youth also compete in showmanship to prove how well they handle and know their animals. Stop by to see fancy show breeds, fluffy wool breeds, and meat breeds all sharing the same barn.
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?
16 breeds are shown here: Netherland Dwarf, Holland Lop, Mini Rex, Mini Lop, Flemish Giant, New Zealand, Californian, Dutch, English Lop, French Lop, Rex, Lionhead, Jersey Wooly, Angora, Dwarf Hotot, Polish.
When is the judging?
- 4-H Market Rabbit Show — Fri 28 Aug
- 4-H Breeding Rabbit Show — Sat 29 Aug
- Open Class Rabbit Show (ARBA) — Sat 5 Sep
When are the animals actually in the barn?
4-H rabbits in the Sheep & Poultry Barn the first four days of the fair. Open class rabbits along with FFA rabbits are back in the Poultry Barn the last four days. Open class rabbit arrival Friday, Sept. 4, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed to public until noon); departure Monday, Sept. 7, noon to 4 p.m.
Worth knowing
- A rabbit's teeth never stop growing, so they gnaw on hay and chew toys to keep them worn down.
- Flemish Giants can weigh more than 15 pounds, while a Netherland Dwarf weighs only about 2 pounds, both shown in the same barn.
- Rabbits can see almost all the way around their heads without turning, which helps them watch for danger.
- When a rabbit is happy it does a twisting jump in the air called a binky.
- Judges score meat breeds mostly on their muscular hindquarters and fur breeds mostly on the quality of their coat.
Open this in MN Fair Guide
Find it on the map, get walking directions, and keep it all offline once you're inside the gates.
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.