BROKEN BOW – After last Thursday and Saturday’s activities, the 2023 Custer County Fair is kicking into high gear this week at the fairgrounds, and KCNI/KBBN is here to provide a roadmap to guide fairgoers through the sights and sounds of the events.
The fair week starts at 10 a.m. with the 4-H entries and interview judging at the 4-H Building and Exhibit Hall. The leisurely start will set the stage for a flurry of activity to follow. Judging and entries will last most of the day, until 4 p.m.
After an open Thursday, the Shooting Sports Building will spring to life with the 4-H Firearms Shooting Match at a bright and early 7:30 a.m. on Friday. The day also marks the deadline for open class entries, which will be accepted from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, July 29 and 30, are dates to be noted. In addition to the 7:30 a.m. conclusion of the 4-H Firearms Shooting Match in the Shooting Sports Building, 4-Hers will submit their food and garden entries and have their interviews judged starting at 9 a.m. The judging is expected to last until about noon.
After a bit of a break, the Chris Ogle Memorial Pedal Tractor Pull will take place at Broken Bow’s town square at 4:30, followed by the iconic 6 p.m. Custer County Fair Parade. At 8 p.m., the Teague Brothers Band will play the Custer County Fair concert back at the fairgrounds.
Sunday is weigh-in day; activities get underway at 2 p.m., starting with meat goats and market sheep, and working hourly through market beef and swine until the 6 p.m. livestock registration deadline.
Check-in for horses, bucket calves, and breeding heifers begins at 4, with the small animal show at 5. At 7 is the Christian concert with Huntley Brown at the United Methodist Church.
Monday promises the first full day of horse activity: 11 categories will show, including showmanship, advanced horsemanship, and English equestrian.
The bucket calf parade is scheduled for 11 a.m., with beef carcass interview judging at 11:30. Hog and sheep shows will take place throughout the morning, as well.
Commercial booths will open at 5 p.m. and remain open until 10, with the highlight of the week for many, the legendary free pit BBQ kicking off at 5:30 p.m. The day concludes with the Custer County Bull Riding Classic at the Trotter Arena at 7:30.
Tuesday is beef showmanship at 8 a.m., as well as the 4-H and FFA rabbit, poultry and pigeon shows. The watermelon feed is at 3, and at 7:30 p.m. bullfighting begins at the Trotter Arena.
Wednesday, August 2 is another horse day, with 9 more categories showing at 8 a.m. including barrels, roping, and reining. 4-H and FFA will present dairy cattle, breeding heifers, and goats throughout the afternoon, and 4-H awards will be given out at 6 p.m., with the teen dance at 9.
Thursday marks the final day of the whirlwind; exhibits are released between 8 a.m. and noon, and the 4-H and FFA livestock judging contests get underway at 9:30. The elite showmanship contest is scheduled for 11:30, and at 6:30 p.m. the Nebraska Heritage Farm Awards will be given out.
The 2023 Custer County Fair will conclude as it always does, with the 4-H and FFA livestock sale at the Custer County Farm Bureau Show Ring on August 3.
KCNI/KBBN will provide video coverage of livestock shows through Sandhills Express.
