Area 4-H and FFA kids are already working on their projects and practicing with their livestock in preparation for the annual Custer County Fair, which is less than two months away. However, the county fairgrounds in Broken Bow offer much more than just a host site for the fair each year. The fair board devotes a great deal of time and effort into creating an environment that is attractive to a wide range of organizations and events - and this summer’s calendar reflects that hard work has paid off.

Just this past weekend the fairgrounds hosted the Nebraska Angus Junior State Show, one of many events scheduled this month. This weekend, June 10-12, the World Series of Team Roping will host a qualifying event. The following weekend it’s the barrel racer’s turn, when the National Barrel Horse Association Nebraska State Finals will be featured.

Of course, the weekends are not the only time the fairgrounds sees action. The Great Connections 4-H club hosts archery practice every Tuesday in June at the fairgrounds at 5 p.m., and the Young Riders 4-H club also hosts practice time on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. On Mondays the Western Riders 4-H club meets for practice at 4 p.m., and Great Connections holds their shooting practice each Thursday at 4 p.m. Friday’s are Four Valleys 4-H practice days.

“A lot of people don’t know we have stuff going on, and most everything during the summer is free for people to come and watch,” said Custer County Ag Society administrator Michelle Nelson in an interview last week with KCNI/ KBBN radio’s Brent Apperson.

Miller also shared with Apperson that there will be a slight change in the parade schedule for this year’s Custer County Fair, which is now set for 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 30. Miller explained that the change in the parade time allows the concert to be held on Saturday evening, which this year will feature Casey Donahew. Gates for the concert will open at 7 p.m. with the opening act scheduled to take the stage at 8 p.m.

To see all of the summer events happening at the Custer County Fairgrounds you can find the schedule on the website custercountyfair.org. You can also keep up with all that is happening by following Custer County Fairgrounds on Facebook.

Contact Ellen Mortensen at ellen@syndicatepub.com