2025 DAKOTA~THURSTON COUNTY FAIR SCHEDULE
SUNDAY, JULY 27TH
4-H Cat Show..............................................................................Location: Thurston Community Hall, Thurston, NE ....1:30PM
4-H Household Pets/Small Animals Show.......................Location: Thurston Community Hall, Thurston, NE ....3:30PM
4-H Dog Show............................................................................Location: Thurston Community Hall, Thurston, NE ....5:00PM
MONDAY, JULY 28TH
4-H Clothing Judging................................................................1:00PM
TUESDAY, JULY 29TH
Rabbit Check-in.........................................................................8:00AM - 9:30AM
Rabbit Showmanship Starts..................................................10:00AM
Rabbit Show ..................................................10:30AM
WEDNESDAY JULY 30TH
Little Prince/Princess Contest..............................................7:00PM
THURSDAY, JULY 31ST
Swine Show...............................................................................8:00AM
Poultry Show............................................................................11:00AM
Parade - Dakota Ave ............................................................6:00
PM Knights of Columbus "Nut Fry"................................7:00PM - 8:00PM
"Tri-State Shoot Out" Tractor Pull*................................7:00PM (Beer Garden and Gates open at 5PM)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1ST
Free Community Breakfast..............................................7:30AM - 9:30AM
Beef Show.............................................................................8:30AM
Bucket Calf Show.............................................................2:30PM
Sheep Show.......................................................................4:00PM
Kid’s Day Activities ($10 wrist band)........................6:00PM - 8:30PM
Figure 8 Racing*..............................................................7:00PM (Beer Garden and Gates open at 5PM)
SATURDAY AUGUST 2ND
Saturday, August 2 Goat Show.........................................................................8:00AM
4-H Horse Show............................................................10:00AM
Expo Center Hours - Open to public ...........................................................9:00AM - 9:00PM
Cornhole Tournament................................................10:00AM
Kid's Pedal Tractor Pull ...............................................10:30AM
Kid's Day Carnival Games.................................1:00 - 3:00PM
Kid’s Day Activities.............................................1:00 - 5:00PM ($10 wrist band covers both Kid's Day carnival and activities)
Open Jackpot Cattle Show...............show starts at 2:30PM
Coffee & Dessert Social hosted by SSC Chamberettes - Expo Center stage area ...............2:00PM
Noah's Hope Animal Rescue.........................1:00 - 5:00 PM
Big River Band (inside Expo building)...2:00PM - 4:00PM
Bull Rider - Meet & Greet............................5:00PM - 6:00PM
Mutton Bustin'............................................Sign-Up at 5:00PM *** Ride at 6:00PM
*** Extreme Bull Riding*.......................................7:30PM (Beer Garden and Gates open at 5PM)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 3RD
Open Horse Show...........................................................9:00AM
4-H Family Livestock Judging Contest........................................(.9:45 AM check-in) 10:00AM
"Jaripeo y Baile...................................................2:00 - 10:00PM Mexican-style Rodeo and Dancing | Gate Fee will be required
Free Movie..........................................................................1:00PM
Round Robin Showmanship.........................................1:00PM
Awards Ceremony for Static Exhibits - Expo Center..................................................................4:00PM
Bonus Auction..................................................................4:00PM
Release of Static Exhibits* .................................................................3:00PM
Release of Livestock Exhibits* - No trailers inside fence prior to Bonus Auction.......................................5:30PM or immediately following the Bonus Auction
* Premiums will be forfeited by the individual if exhibits (static & livestock ) are removed prior to stated time.
STATE FAIR ENTRIES
STATE FAIR ENTRY PORTAL IS OPEN!
Livestock Entry Limits
4-H have different entry limits for each species.
- Beef: A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting up to 5 beef
- Swine: A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting up to 6 hogs
- Sheep: A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting up to 4 sheep
- Meat Goat: A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting up to 4 goats
- Rabbit: A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting up to 6 rabbits
- Poultry: A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting 6 live bird entries (egg production trios are considered one entry).
- Egg entries are not considered in the live bird limit. Egg entries are limited to one dozen per exhibitor.
Step By Step Entry Instructions
- It is recommended to download the Step by Step Instructions prior to signing in to the entry site. Note: Even if the youth exhibited at the 2024 State Fair, please click “I am a new exhibitor or have yet to register this year”
- Browser: It is recommended to use Chrome as the web browser.
Entry Prices and Optional Livestock Purchase Items
Note: All Beef, Swine, Sheep, Goat, Rabbit and Poultry 4-H/FFA exhibitors will automatically receive an 11-day admission wristband at no cost. Exhibitors will not have to select a wristband as it will automatically be provided with the livestock, rabbit, and/or poultry entry. 4-H Dog Exhibitors and other non-livestock in-person entries (4-H Contests, Fashion Show, and the Robotics Showcase) will receive a free daily gate pass. All purchase items will be in the exhibitor packet when the exhibitor checks in at the Livestock Check-In Trailer.
SUMMER CAMPS
Face Flies
Face flies can carry pinkeye and eyeworms, and cause millions of dollars of economic damage every year. Learn more about controlling face flies at https://beef.unl.edu/beefwatch/2023/face-flies-pastured-cattle/.
Ranch Drought Website
The new Managing Drought Risk on the Ranch website provides land managers with a variety of resources to monitor drought, manage the ranch before and during drought, learn about assistance programs, and more. Check it out at https://ranchdrought.unl.edu/.
Cattle THI Chart
Using the Cattle Temperature Humidity Index (THI) is a good way to determine when heat conditions have reached the point in which you need to implement strategies to reduce cattle heat stress. Visit https://beef.unl.edu/beefwatch/2023/resources-helping-cattle-deal-heat-stress/ for more resources on helping cattle cope with summer heat.
Food Safety
Smoked Meat Safety
On July Fourth, the aroma of barbecue will fill the air as the festivities bring together family and friends to celebrate with food that is grilled or smoked. Food is the biggest staple when it comes to celebrating Independence Day, aside from the fireworks. Whether you’re sizzling burgers on the grill or slow-cooking ribs in the smoker, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service is urging everyone to take food safety precautions during food preparations. https://go.unl.edu/smokersafety #UNLFoodSafety
Five Summer Party Tips
Don’t forget about food safety when having parties and gatherings that involve food. Nothing would dampen the celebration like making people sick. Whether you’re preparing all the food yourself, or doing it pot-luck style, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk of foodborne illness at your event. https://go.unl.edu/summer-party-food-safe #UNLFoodSafety
Gillling 101
Grilling is a popular cooking method during the summer. It's well known for no-fuss clean-up and that smoky, grilled flavor no other cooking method can mimic. If you're not an expert griller, don't worry! Follow the easy steps from the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner website for tasty and safe grilling tips. https://go.unl.edu/grilling #UNLFoodSafety
Food Safety When Fishing
Proper handling of fish from the time you catch them until you get them to the table will help maintain optimum eating quality and food safety. Keep the following fish handling tips in mind: https://go.unl.edu/fish #UNLFoodSafety
Haskell Happenings
Haskell Happenings Newsletter
Stay up to date with what's happening at the Haskell Ag Lab by subscribing to our e-newsletter!
Find our latest edition here: https://hal.unl.edu/haskell-happenings-newsletter/
