MINOT, N.D. (KWAD)— Country artist Zach Top has been announced as the first headline act for the 2026 North Dakota State Fair, joining the Grandstand lineup on Thursday, July 23, 2026. The State Fair will run from July 17 to July 25, 2026.

The announcement comes on the heels of record-breaking attendance at the 2025 Fair, which welcomed 356,552 visitors, marking the highest turnout in fair history. Top’s inclusion as the first big act for next year signals a strong start to the entertainment roster, joining previous headliners including Jelly Roll, Limp Bizkit, Luke Bryan, and Sawyer Brown in recent years.

Fair officials confirmed the news following a social media post shared via the fair’s Facebook page, which teased the 2026 lineup and confirmed the July 23 date  MinotVoice also reported on the announcement, confirming both the performer and the date, noting, “country musician Zach Top was announced as the first 2026 performer via the fair’s Facebook page. The date announced is July 23, 2026.”

Zach Top has gained momentum following his 2025 “Cold Beer & Country Music Tour” and the upcoming release of his album Ain’t In It For My Health later this year. He’s building a reputation in the neo‑traditional country genre, known for songs like “I Never Lie.”

No additional headliners have been revealed at this time, but fair organizers have indicated more entertainment announcements will follow.