The 2026 edition of the Custer County Fair gets underway today and runs almost until the end of the month, coming to a close on July 30.
The Custer County Fair premium book, which is provided by the 4-H Council, details a busy schedule that includes a wide variety of judged events, entertainment, and community activities.
Today, the 4-H style judging and clothing construction judging gets the schedule started, followed by the public fashion show at the Evangelical Free Church in Broken Bow tonight.
This Saturday, 4-H and FFA participants will come together for the dog show that starts at 8 AM. (KCNI/KBBN will provide a video stream of part of the competition starting late morning on the Sandhills Express YouTube and Facebook pages)
Always an important day, 4-H entry day and interview judging is set for next Wednesday. Firearms shooting matches and open class entry reception happens the following Friday on July 24.
Food, garden items, cut flowers, and fruits arrive on the fairgrounds on Saturday the 25th ahead of the Custer County Fair parade, which starts at 6 PM in downtown Broken Bow.
Animals will bring their volume to the fairgrounds starting on Sunday the 26th, with plenty of weigh-ins set throughout the day including goats, sheep, beef, and swine. The 4-H horse show is set for that day at 4 PM, followed by bucket calf and breeding heifer check-in, the small animal pet show, and the entry of rabbits, pigeons, and poultry. The Christian Concert will be held at the Broken Bow United Methodist Church that night starting at 7 PM.
Animal judging in the covered arena eclipses Monday the 27th through Wednesday the 29th, with entertainment on the fairgrounds to follow. (Monday: Free pit BBQ and Custer County Classic bull riding. Wednesday: Ultimate Bullfighters freestyle bullfights.)
Thursday the 30th, exhibits will be released ahead of the livestock judging contest and elite showmanship contest. The 4-H and FFA livestock sale, as it has for years, will cap off the fair on Thursday night.
