Content
The 2026 Dawes County Fair will be held July 23rd-August 1st.
If you have any questions about the Fair Book or are in need of assistance with required paperwork, please contact the Extension Office at (308) 432-3373.
Dawes County Fair Schedule of Events
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22
8:30 AM – 4-H Cat Show (Check-in 7:30–8:00 AM)
Location: Vetter Building
1:00 PM – 4-H Dog Show (Check-in 12:00–12:30 PM)
Location: Vetter Building
THURSDAY, JULY 23
8:30–9:30 AM – 4-H Clothing/Sewing Check-in
Location: Chadron High School
9:00–9:30 AM – 4-H Modeling Practice (Judging begins at 9:30 AM)
Location: Chadron High School
9:00 AM–1:00 PM – 4-H Construction Judging
Location: Chadron High School
10:00–11:00 AM – 4-H FCS Life Challenge Contest
Location: Chadron High School
7:00 PM – 4-H Fashion Show (Public Welcome!)
Location: Chadron High School
FRIDAY, JULY 24
9:00 AM–1:00 PM – Open Class Check-in (Judging at 2:00 PM)
Location: Dixie Eaton / Henkens Roberts
2:00 PM – Closed for Judging
Location: Dixie Eaton / Henkens Roberts
SATURDAY, JULY 25
7:00 AM – Breakfast (Horse show participants, families, and spectators only)
Sponsor: Security First Bank Chadron
Location: Arena
7:30 AM – All Horse Check-in
Location: Arena
8:00 AM – 4-H Working Ranch & Performance Horse Show
Location: Arena
Events include: Working Ranch Horse, Dummy Roping, Breakaway Roping, Trail, Halter, Showmanship, Green Broke, Pleasure, Horsemanship, Reining, Poles, Barrels
8:00 AM–1:00 PM – 4-H Hippology Challenge Contest
Location: Arena
6:00 PM – Dawes County Fairboard Hog Wrestling & Pig Wrangler Auction
Chairmen: Casey Schumacher (308-430-4346), Kris Pyle (308-430-1602), Christa Katen (308-430-4165)
Limited teams – check Facebook and www.dawescountyfair.com
SUNDAY, JULY 26
2:00 PM – Dawes County Hall of Fame
Century Farm and Ranch Family Good Neighbor Award
Chairman: Con Marshall
Location: Grandstand
3:00 PM – Tractor Weigh-in
Location: Grandstand
3:00 PM – Lawn Mower Association Races
Chairman: Roger Eaton and Team
Location: North 40 Track
4:00 PM – Antique Tractor Pull
Hosted by Highway 20 Antique Tractor Association
Chairmen: MaryAnn Schleicher (308-432-3140), Neal Soester (308-672-8675)
Location: Grandstand
4:00 PM – Hall of Fame Awards Reception
Served by 4-H Clubs
Location: 4-H Dining Hall
MONDAY, JULY 27
8:30 AM – Doors Open for 4-H Exhibit Check-in
Location: 4-H Building
9:00 AM–1:00 PM – 4-H Static Exhibit Interview Judging
Location: 4-H Building
2:00–4:00 PM – 4-H Decorated Cakes Judged
Location: 4-H Building
2:30–4:00 PM – Stick Horse Races (Ages 6 & Under – No Fee)
Location: Arena & Grandstand
4:30–7:00 PM – Rabbit/Poultry Check-in
Location: New Building
5:00 PM – Youth Rodeo (Gymkhana) (Ages 7–10, 11–13, 14–18)
Location: Arena
Must pre-register by July 20 at www.dawescountyfair.com
Chairmen: Charlee Ebmeier (308-430-4298), Casey Schumacher (308-430-4346), Brooke Keim (308-430-3163)
5:00–7:00 PM – 4-H Creative Chefs Silent Auction
Location: 4-H Building
5:30 PM – 4-H Live Cake & Pie Auction
Location: Grandstand
5:30 PM – Free Popsicles (Nebraska Bank)
Location: Grandstand
5:30 PM – 3-D Archery Shoot (Open to all ages)
Location: East End Racetrack
Contact: Roger Eaton (308-432-4040)
TUESDAY, JULY 28
8:00 AM – 4-H Static Exhibits Open
Location: 4-H Building
8:00 AM – 4-H Static Exhibit Silent Auction Opens
Location: 4-H Building
8:30 AM – 4-H Rabbit Show
Followed by 4-H Poultry Show
Lunch break immediately following poultry show
12:30 PM – 4-H Companion & Exotic Check-in
1:00 PM – 4-H Companion Animal & Exotic Show
Location: Vetter Building
12:00–2:30 PM – 4-H Swine Weigh-in & Check-in
Location: North Side Vetter
2:30–4:00 PM – 4-H Goat & Sheep Weigh-in & Check-in
Location: North Side Vetter
4:00–5:30 PM – Beef Weigh-in & Check-in
Location: North Side Vetter
6:00 PM – FFA Hay Auction (Sponsored by FNBO)
Location: Grandstand
6:00 PM – Ranch Rodeo Contestant Check-in
Location: Stage by Arena
6:30 PM – Ranch Rodeo Cowboy Auction
Location: Grandstand
7:00 PM – Ranch Rodeo & Bronc Match
Location: Grandstand
Pre-register by July 23 at www.dawescountyfair.com
Chairmen: Crystal Brunsch (605-454-1034), Casey Schumacher (308-430-4346)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
8:30 AM – 4-H Dairy Goat Show (followed by Meat Goat Show)
Location: Vetter Building
1:00–3:00 PM – 4-H Bottle Lamb Interviews
Location: Show Barn
3:00 PM – 4-H Swine Show
Location: Vetter Building
5:30 PM – Tough Truck Registration (Closes at 6:45 PM)
Location: Stage
5:30 PM – Free Root Beer Floats (Security First Bank Chadron)
Location: Grandstand
6:30 PM – Drivers Meeting
Location: Arena
7:00 PM – Tough Truck
Location: Grandstand/Arena
Chairmen: Joel Wasserburger (605-786-5489), Kevin Keim (308-430-1434), Brooke Keim (308-430-3163), Neal Soester (308-672-8675)
THURSDAY, JULY 30
7:00 AM – Free Breakfast (FNBO)
Location: Open Air Shelter
8:00–10:00 AM – 4-H Bucket Calf Interviews
Location: Vetter Building
8:30 AM – All Animal Livestock Sale Photos
8:30 AM – 4-H Sheep Show
Followed by Bottle Lamb Awards
11:00 AM – 4-H Dairy Cattle Show
Followed by Beef Showmanship
Lunch break following showmanship
Followed by: Bucket Calf Awards, Breeding Beef, Stocker Feeders, Market Beef Show, and Livestock Sale Photos
4:30 PM – Static Award Photos (Champion & State Fair)
Location: 4-H Building
5:00 PM – 4-H Youth Pizza Night
Location: Vetter Building
6:00 PM – Rubber Check Race & Team Auction
Location: Grandstand
Pre-register by July 28
7:00–10:00 PM – Free Fair Dance
Location: Open Air Building
FRIDAY, JULY 31
9:00 AM–12:00 PM – Open Class Check-out
Location: Dixie Eaton / Henkens Roberts
9:00 AM – Small Animal Round Robin
Location: Vetter Building
11:00 AM – Large Animal Round Robin
Location: Vetter Building
3:00 PM – Best Dressed Contest
Location: Vetter Building
5:00–6:00 PM – Livestock Buyers Social
Location: Vetter Building
5:45 PM – Clover Kids Parade
Location: Vetter Building
6:00 PM – 4-H Foundation Market Livestock Sale
Location: Vetter Building
6:00 PM – 4-H Static Exhibit Silent Auction Closes
Location: 4-H Building
6:00 PM – 4-H Small Animals Check-out
Location: New Building
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
8:00–10:00 AM – 4-H Exhibit Check-out / Animal Projects Released
Location: 4-H Building
Fairgrounds/Stall Cleanup – Everyone is encouraged to help!