Dawes County Fair
Sponsored by the Dawes County Agricultural Society, the Dawes County Fair has been the place for friends and family to have fun for over 130 years. Each summer, the fair offers free events for visitors, including 4-H exhibits and judging, special events and activities for children, great food, and display of local arts and crafts.
2024 Schedule
July 25-Aug. 3, 2024
2023 Full Schedule
THURSDAY, JULY 27 (all events at Chadron High School)
8:30 a.m. – 4-H Clothing Check-in, followed by Modeling Practice at 9 a.m.
9 a.m.-1 p.m. 4-H Construction Judging
10-11 a.m. 4-H FCS Life Challenge Contest
7 p.m. 4-H Fashion Show
FRIDAY, JULY 28
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Open Class Check-in (JUDGING AT 2 PM), Dixie Eaton/Henkens Roberts Buildings
8:30 a.m. 4-H Cat Show (CHECK-IN 7:30 a.m.), Vetter Building
1 p.m. 4-H Dog Show (CHECK-IN 12 PM), Vetter Building
SATURDAY, JULY 29
7 a.m. Breakfast- Security First Bank Chadron, ARENA
(Horse show participants, families, and spectators only)
7:30 AM 4-H Working Ranch & Performance Horse Show, ARENA
(CHECK-IN; SHOW TO BEGIN AT 8 AM)
Working Ranch Horse, Dummy Roping, Breakaway Roping, Trail, Halter, Showmanship, Green Broke, Pleasure, Horsemanship, Reining, Poles, Barrels.
8 a.m. -1 p.m. 4-H Hippology Challenge Contest, Stage Area
5:30 p.m. Free Watermelon courtesy Homestead Bank, Grandstand
6:30 p.m. Ranch Rodeo Cowboy Auction & FFA Hay Auction, Grandstand
7 p.m. Ranch Rodeo & Bronc Match (Check-in at 6 p.m.), Arena
SUNDAY, JULY 30
2 p.m. Dawes County Hall of Fame, Grandstand
Century Farm and Ranch Family AKSARBEN Good Neighbor Award
3 p.m. Tractor Weigh-in, Grandstand
3 p.m. Lawn Mower Association Races, North 40 Track
4 p.m. Antique Tractor Pull, Grandstand
Highway 20 Antique Tractor Association
4 p.m. Hall of Fame Awards Reception, 4-H Dining Hall
MONDAY, JULY 31
8:30 a.m. 4-H Static Exhibit Check-in, 4-H Building
9 a.m.-1 p.m. 4-H Static Exhibit Interview Judging, 4-H Building
2 – 4 p.m. 4-H Decorated Cakes Judging, 4-H Building
2:30-4 p.m. Stick Horse Races Ages 6 & Under-No Fee, Arena & Grandstand
5 p.m. Youth Rodeo (GYMKHANA) Ages 7-10, 11-13, 14-18, Arena
5-7 p.m. 4-H Creative Chefs Silent Auction, 4-H Building
5:30 p.m. 4-H Live Cake & Pie Auction, Grandstand
5:30 p.m. Free Popsicles courtesy of Nebraska Bank, Grandstand
5:30 p.m. 3-D Archery Shoot Open to ANY AGE, East End Racetrack
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1
8 a.m. 4-H Static Exhibits Open, 4-H Building
8 a.m. 4-H Static Exhibit Silent Auction Open, 4-H Building
8:30 a.m. 4-H Companion Animal Show, Vetter Building (Check-in at 8 a.m.)
Followed by: 4-H Exotic Animal Show, Vetter Building
Followed by: 4-H Rabbit Show, Vetter Building
11:00 a.m. 4-H Poultry Check-in, Vetter Building
LUNCH BREAK IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING 4-H RABBIT SHOW
Followed by: 4-H Poultry Show, Vetter Building
1:30-3:30 p.m. 4-H Swine Weigh-in & Check-in, North Side Vetter Building
3:30-5 p.m. 4-H Goat & Sheep Weigh-in & Check-in, North Side Vetter Building
4:30 p.m. 4-H Static Award Photos (Champions & State Fair), 4-H Building
5-6 p.m. 4-H Beef Weigh-in & Check-in, North Side Vetter Building
5:30 p.m.Free Snow Cones courtesy Chadron Federal Credit Union, Grandstand
6 p.m. Dawes County Fair Board Hog Wrestling & Pig Wrangler Auction, West of Arena
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2
8:30 a.m. 4-H Dairy Goat Show, Vetter Building
10 a.m. 4-H Meat Goat Show, Vetter Building
1-3 p.m. 4-H Bottle Lamb Interviews, Show Barn
3 p.m. 4-H Swine Show, Vetter Building
5:30 PM Tough Truck Registration, entries close at 6:45, Stage
5:30 p.m. Free Root Beer Floats courtesy of Security First Bank Chadron, Grandstand
6:30 p.m. Drivers’ Meeting, Stage
7 p.m. Tough Truck Competition, Arena/Grandstand
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3
7 a.m. Free Breakfast courtesy FNBO, Open Air Shelter
8-10 a.m. 4-H Bucket Calf Interviews, Vetter Building
8:30 a.m. 4-H Sheep Show, Vetter Building
Followed by: 4-H Bottle Lamb Awards, Vetter Building
Followed by: Livestock Sale Photos, Vetter Building
11 a.m. 4-H Dairy Cattle, Vetter Building
Followed by: 4-H Beef Showmanship, Vetter Building
LUNCH BREAK FOLLOWING BEEF SHOWMANSHIP
Followed by: Bucket Calf Awards, Breeding Beef, Stocker-Feeders
Followed by: 4-H Market Beef Show, Vetter Building
Followed by: Livestock Sale Photos for Beef, Vetter Building
5 p.m. 4-H Youth Pizza Night, Vetter Building
5:30 p.m. Free Snow Cones courtesy Platte Valley Bank, Grandstand
6 p.m. Rubber Check Race & Team Auction, Grandstand/Arena
8-10 p.m. Free Fair Dance, Open Air Shelter
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Open Class Check-out
9 a.m. Small Animal Round Robin, Vetter Building
11 a.m. Large Animal Round Robin, Vetter Building
4 p.m. Adult Showmanship Contest, Vetter Building
5-6 p.m. Livestock Buyers’ Social, Vetter Building
5:45 p.m. Clover Kids’ Parade, Vetter Building
6 p.m. 4-H Foundation Market Livestock Sale, Vetter Building
6 p.m. 4-H Static Exhibit Silent Auction Closes, 4-H Building
6 p.m. 4-H Small Animal Check-out
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5
8 a.m.-10 a.m. 4-H Exhibit Check-out/Animal Projects Released/Fairgrounds Clean-up
2023 4-H Schedule
THURSDAY, JULY 27 (all events at Chadron High School)
8:30 a.m. – 4-H Clothing Check-in, followed by Modeling Practice at 9 a.m.
9 a.m.-1 p.m. 4-H Construction Judging
10-11 a.m. 4-H FCS Life Challenge Contest
7 p.m. 4-H Fashion Show
FRIDAY, JULY 28
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Open Class Check-in (JUDGING AT 2 PM), Dixie Eaton/Henkens Roberts Buildings
8:30 a.m. 4-H Cat Show (CHECK-IN 7:30 a.m.), Vetter Building
1 p.m. 4-H Dog Show (CHECK-IN 12 PM), Vetter Building
SATURDAY, JULY 29
7 a.m. Breakfast- Security First Bank Chadron, ARENA
(Horse show participants, families, and spectators only)
7:30 AM 4-H Working Ranch & Performance Horse Show, ARENA
(CHECK-IN; SHOW TO BEGIN AT 8 AM)
Working Ranch Horse, Dummy Roping, Breakaway Roping, Trail, Halter, Showmanship, Green Broke, Pleasure, Horsemanship, Reining, Poles, Barrels.
8 a.m. -1 p.m. 4-H Hippology Challenge Contest, Stage Area
MONDAY, JULY 31
8:30 a.m. 4-H Static Exhibit Check-in, 4-H Building
9 a.m.-1 p.m. 4-H Static Exhibit Interview Judging, 4-H Building
2 – 4 p.m. 4-H Decorated Cakes Judging, 4-H Building
5-7 p.m. 4-H Creative Chefs Silent Auction, 4-H Building
5:30 p.m. 4-H Live Cake & Pie Auction, Grandstand
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1
8 a.m. 4-H Static Exhibits Open, 4-H Building
8 a.m. 4-H Static Exhibit Silent Auction Open, 4-H Building
8:30 a.m. 4-H Companion Animal Show, Vetter Building (Check-in at 8 a.m.)
Followed by: 4-H Exotic Animal Show, Vetter Building
Followed by: 4-H Rabbit Show, Vetter Building
11:00 a.m. 4-H Poultry Check-in, Vetter Building
LUNCH BREAK IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING 4-H RABBIT SHOW
Followed by: 4-H Poultry Show, Vetter Building
1:30-3:30 p.m. 4-H Swine Weigh-in & Check-in, North Side Vetter Building
3:30-5 p.m. 4-H Goat & Sheep Weigh-in & Check-in, North Side Vetter Building
4:30 p.m. 4-H Static Award Photos (Champions & State Fair), 4-H Building
5-6 p.m. 4-H Beef Weigh-in & Check-in, North Side Vetter Building
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2
8:30 a.m. 4-H Dairy Goat Show, Vetter Building
10 a.m. 4-H Meat Goat Show, Vetter Building
1-3 p.m. 4-H Bottle Lamb Interviews, Show Barn
3 p.m. 4-H Swine Show, Vetter Building
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3
8-10 a.m. 4-H Bucket Calf Interviews, Vetter Building
8:30 a.m. 4-H Sheep Show, Vetter Building
Followed by: 4-H Bottle Lamb Awards, Vetter Building
Followed by: Livestock Sale Photos, Vetter Building
11 a.m. 4-H Dairy Cattle, Vetter Building
Followed by: 4-H Beef Showmanship, Vetter Building
LUNCH BREAK FOLLOWING BEEF SHOWMANSHIP
Followed by: Bucket Calf Awards, Breeding Beef, Stocker-Feeders
Followed by: 4-H Market Beef Show, Vetter Building
Followed by: Livestock Sale Photos for Beef, Vetter Building
5 p.m. 4-H Youth Pizza Night, Vetter Building
8-10 p.m. Free Fair Dance, Open Air Shelter
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Open Class Check-out
9 a.m. Small Animal Round Robin, Vetter Building
11 a.m. Large Animal Round Robin, Vetter Building
4 p.m. Adult Showmanship Contest, Vetter Building
5-6 p.m. Livestock Buyers’ Social, Vetter Building
5:45 p.m. Clover Kids’ Parade, Vetter Building
6 p.m. 4-H Foundation Market Livestock Sale, Vetter Building
6 p.m. 4-H Static Exhibit Silent Auction Closes, 4-H Building
6 p.m. 4-H Small Animal Check-out
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5
8 a.m.-10 a.m. 4-H Exhibit Check-out/Animal Projects Released/Fairgrounds Clean-up
2023 Entertainment Schedule
SATURDAY, JULY 29
5:30 p.m. Free Watermelon courtesy Homestead Bank, Grandstand
6:30 p.m. Ranch Rodeo Cowboy Auction & FFA Hay Auction, Grandstand
7 p.m. Ranch Rodeo & Bronc Match (Check-in at 6 p.m.), Arena
SUNDAY, JULY 30
2 p.m. Dawes County Hall of Fame, Grandstand
Century Farm and Ranch Family AKSARBEN Good Neighbor Award
3 p.m. Tractor Weigh-in, Grandstand
3 p.m. Lawn Mower Association Races, North 40 Track
4 p.m. Antique Tractor Pull, Grandstand
Highway 20 Antique Tractor Association
4 p.m. Hall of Fame Awards Reception, 4-H Dining Hall
MONDAY, JULY 31
2:30-4 p.m. Stick Horse Races Ages 6 & Under-No Fee, Arena & Grandstand
5 p.m. Youth Rodeo (GYMKHANA) Ages 7-10, 11-13, 14-18, Arena
5:30 p.m. Free Popsicles courtesy of Nebraska Bank, Grandstand
5:30 p.m. 3-D Archery Shoot Open to ANY AGE, East End Racetrack
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1
5:30 p.m.Free Snow Cones courtesy Chadron Federal Credit Union, Grandstand
6 p.m. Dawes County Fair Board Hog Wrestling & Pig Wrangler Auction, West of Arena
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2
5:30 PM Tough Truck Registration, entries close at 6:45, Stage
5:30 p.m. Free Root Beer Floats courtesy of Security First Bank Chadron, Grandstand
6:30 p.m. Drivers’ Meeting, Stage
7 p.m. Tough Truck Competition, Arena/Grandstand
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3
7 a.m. Free Breakfast courtesy FNBO, Open Air Shelter
5:30 p.m. Free Snow Cones courtesy Platte Valley Bank, Grandstand
6 p.m. Rubber Check Race & Team Auction, Grandstand/Arena
8-10 p.m. Free Fair Dance, Open Air Shelter
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4
4 p.m. Adult Showmanship Contest, Vetter Building
5-6 p.m. Livestock Buyers’ Social, Vetter Building
5:45 p.m. Clover Kids’ Parade, Vetter Building
6 p.m. 4-H Foundation Market Livestock Sale, Vetter Building
6 p.m. 4-H Static Exhibit Silent Auction Closes, 4-H Building
Wristbands are available for purchase for $20 each at the Dawes County Extension Office and will be available at the fair. Wristbands serve as a four-day pass and allow the owner to enter all of the evening events for one price.Â
Daily gate admission is $10 per person. Children age 12 and under are free, and all 4-H members receive free admission.Â
