From 4-H to Summer Jam, Perkins County Fair to offer something for everyone this July

 The Perkins County Fair will return July 10-18 with a full slate of 4-H competitions, family activities, live music, rodeo events and community traditions as organizers celebrate this year’s theme, “America Grows Here — Celebrating 250 Years of American Pride.”

The fair officially begins with the 4-H Horse Show at 8 a.m. Friday, July 10, and continues throughout the week at the Perkins County Fairgrounds in Grant.

4-H activities will take center stage early in the week. Static and floral exhibits will be entered July 13, followed by livestock check-in, the ultrasound contest, dog show, poultry show and rabbit/companion animal show on July 14. 

The 4-H Beef Show is scheduled for July 15, while swine, sheep and goat exhibitors will compete July 16. The annual Round Robin competition and 4-H Livestock Sale are planned for July 17.

Thursday, July 16, will feature several longtime fair favorites, including the Chamber Breakfast from 6-8 a.m., FFA Farm Olympics, Mutton Bustin’, Ranch Bronc Riding and the Ranch Rodeo. 

A kid’s carnival, beer garden and bingo are also scheduled throughout the evening.

Carnival rides will be offered July 16-18. The fairboard proudly announced that carnival wristbands will be available for $20 per day or $40 for all three days, giving families the option to enjoy the midway throughout the fair weekend.

In addition to the entertainment and livestock events, fairgoers can enjoy a diverse selection of food and beverage vendors throughout the week. Returning favorites include Bubba’s Smoked & Loaded, Hearth Woodfired Kitchen, Prokops Smokin BBQ, Kats Creamery, Always Kaffeinated, Brewed Awakening, Taqueria La Villita, Smoken Hills, Bootleg Bar and Grill, LaTeDa and the Lions Club. New to the fair this year are Snowball Express, Trish & Dave’s Kitchen on Wheels and Phillys Wings N Things, offering attendees even more options while enjoying the festivities.

Country music fans will have multiple opportunities for live entertainment. Nebraska country artist Tim Zach will perform a free concert Friday evening, July 17, following the opening of the beer garden. 

The fair’s featured entertainment event, the Perkins County Summer Jam, will take place Saturday, July 18, with headliner George Birge joined by Tim Zach, Frank Ray, Lakeview and Bayker Blankenship. Gates open at 3:45 p.m.

Fair officials also remind concertgoers that a clear bag policy will be enforced for entry to concert events and encourage attendees to review event guidelines before arriving at the fairgrounds.

Saturday’s activities begin with the annual fair parade at 10 a.m., followed by a community barbecue from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

The 4-H Style Show and Awards Program will begin at 12:30 p.m., with the popular Pedal Tractor Pull set for 2:30 p.m. after registration at 2 p.m. Additional kid’s carnival hours, a beer garden and bingo round out the day’s activities.

New this year, fair-goers can purchase all major event tickets online through perkinscountyfairgrounds.com. Organizers said online ticketing will be available for carnival wristbands, rodeo entry, rodeo fence parking and concert admission. The change is designed to streamline entry and help reduce wait times at ticket booths during the fair.

The Fair Board says the fair’s patriotic theme highlights both the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary and the agricultural heritage that continues to shape Perkins County. 

From livestock exhibitions and youth competitions to concerts, rodeo action and family entertainment, the week-long celebration offers something for all ages.

Additional information, event schedules and ticket purchases are available at PerkinsCountyFairgrounds.com or by reaching out to any board member: Kasey Kroeker, Dan Lee, Sam Lee, Russell Lee, Seth Burge, Tom Foster, Elliott Peterson, Shawn Tjaden, Patsy Kroeker, and Samantha Goff. Associate members are Austin Thelander, Blake Poppe, Dusty Runner, Kylie Croup, Lonnie Kuenning, Mitch Reimers, Trevor Johnson, Kevin Chavira, Erik Snyder, Emily McArtor.