The Custer County Fair kicks off this evening (July 20) with the annual 4-H fashion show at Broken Bow’s Evangelical Free Church leading off the week-long schedule of events, which culminates on Thursday, Aug. 3.

This year the 4-H and FFA dog show will move up to Saturday, July 22, beginning at 8 a.m. For the 4-H kids, Wednesday, July 26 is a big day. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is entry day and interview judging for their projects. Then on Friday, July 28, the shooters begin the day early with the 4-H firearms match at 7:30 a.m. Open class entries will be taken throughout the day on Friday.

The 4-H firearms shooting match will continue on Saturday morning, July 29, beginning once again at 7:30 a.m. in Building 18. Throughout the day on Saturday food entries, flowers and fruits will be judged.

One of the highlights of the county fair for the public is always the parade. The 2023 Custer County Fair parade will be held on Saturday, July 29, beginning at 6 p.m. Prior to the parade, a pedal tractor pull will be held in the Broken Bow Square beginning at 4:30 p.m.

The annual Custer County Classic Bullriding is set for Monday, July 31, in Broken Bow. Entertaining the crowd will be Bullfighters Weston Rutkowski and Rowdy Moon, Barrelman Justin Rumford, and Entertainer Rider Keisner. The Custer County Fair has events today and Saturday and will conclude on Aug. 3. (Photo courtesy Custer County Fairgrounds) The annual Custer County Fair concert will round out the busy day on July 29. This year’s event features B.J. Jamison, followed by the James Lee Band and the 2023 headliner, Teague Brothers Band.

Goats, sheep, beef, and swine will all get weighed in on Sunday afternoon, July 30. The 4-H and FFA small animal pet show - always a lot of fun to watch - will get underway at 5 p.m. Sunday. On Sunday evening everyone is invited to enjoy the air conditioning at United Methodist Church for a Christian concert featuring concert pianist Huntley Brown from Chicago, Illinois.

Monday morning, July 31, is for the 4-H horsemen with judging beginning at 8 a.m. Both 4-H and FFA swine judging will also be held Monday morning at 8 a.m. The bucket calf parade will be held at 11 a.m. Monday and the commercial booths under the grandstand will be open from 5 - 10 p.m. The always popular free pit bbq will be held from 5:30 - 7 p.m. The day will conclude with the premiere Custer County Bull Riding Classic at 7:30 p.m. in the Trotter Arena.

Tuesday morning, Aug. 1, will begin with 4-H beef showmanship at 8 a.m., followed by market beef classes. The rabbit show, poultry show, and pigeon show will get started at 8:30 a.m. for both 4-H and FFA. FFA beef showmanship, breeding heifer, and market beef shows will begin at 3 p.m.

Farm Credit Services will once again host a free watermelon feed at the fair on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at 3 p.m. The commercial booths will be open throughout the evening, and entertainment that evening will be provided by the Ultimate Bullfighters freestyle bullfights in Trotter Arena.

Wednesday, Aug. 2, is packed full of horse and livestock shows, beginning at 8 a.m. The 4-H Clover Kid bucket calf parade will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the 4-H and FFA beef fitting and showing contest at 11 a.m. The 4-H dairy cattle show and goat show will both get underway at 1 p.m., followed by FFA dairy cattle at 3 p.m.

The 4-H awards presentation will be held that evening at 6 p.m. in the show ring, followed by the goat show. Wednesday will finish off with the teen dance at 9 p.m.

The final day on Thursday, Aug. 3, will feature the 4-H and FFA livestock judging contest at 9:30 a.m., followed by the elite showmanship contest at 11:30 a.m. The 2023 Custer County Fair will conclude in the show ring for the annual 4-H and FFA livestock sale. This final event is the ultimate reward for these kids’ efforts and dedication to their animals throughout the year.