Fair, Court Sports partner to offer exclusive fair swag

The 2026 Steele County Free Fair is fast approaching and now fairgoers can buy officially branded fair swag through a partnership between the fair and Court Sports and More in Owatonna. Court Sports has been announced as the official provider of SCFF FairWear.

Amy Behne, who with her husband Ben, is co-owner of Courts Sports, said that the store is the official provider for fair branded merchandise. She said an online store is now officially open. Items can be pre-ordered online at the Court Sports website through July 24. There is also a link to the site on the fair website, she said. The website for the fair items

is https://stores.inksoft.steele_county_free_fair/shop/home.

She said one of the favorite things they do is getting to be a part of the events and traditions in the community and the fair is one of those traditions.

“Year after year, it brings together families, friends, exhibitors, volunteers, and neighbors from across the area,” said Amy Behne.

She said they worked directly with an apparel designer to come up with the designs for the exclusive line of clothing. A variety of designs have been worked up, she said, and then presented to fair officials for approval. Assistant Fair Director Zach Rhinehart is taking the lead in the marketing of the fair, she said.

The store went live the end of June with two designs available, “A Timeless Tradition” and “Minnesota Fair Days.” Two additional designs were soon added, “Barnyard Crew” and “Hit Hard.” Additional designs will be added to the store each week through July 24.

After ordering and paying for the clothing online, the items can be picked up at Court Sports until the fair opens.

During fair week, she said, items can be purchased at the Court Sports stand on the fairgrounds. Online ordering will not be available during fair week, she said, although fair visitors are invited to stop by the Court Sports stand which will be on site to purchase items.