The culmination of the hard work of area 4-H and FFA kids is nearly here. The Custer County Fair kicks off a week from today, July 21, with the annual 4-H fashion show at Broken Bow’s Evangelical Free Church leading off the week-long schedule of events.

For the 4-H kids, Wednesday, July 27 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 29, 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, and the 4-H and FFA dog show will round out the day beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Custer County Farm Bureau Show Ring.

The 4-H firearms shooting match will continue on Saturday morning, July 30, beginning once again at 7:30 a.m. 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 2022 Custer County Fair parade will be held on Saturday, July 30 beginning at 6 p.m. A concert featuring Casey Donahew, making his return to Custer County, will get underway that evening at 8 p.m.

Goats, sheep, beef and swine will all get weighed in on Sunday afternoon, July 31. 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 the grandstands at the fairgrounds for a Christian concert featuring Dan Evans on trumpet and Kristen Gibbs on harp. The musicians hail from Austin, Texas.

Monday morning is for the 4-H horsemen with judging beginning at 8 a.m. The bucket calf parade will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, and the commercial booth 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. 2 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.

Farm Credit Services will once again host a free watermelon feed at the fair on Tuesday, Aug. 2 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 style bullfights in Trotter Arena.

The day Wednesday, Aug. 3 is packed full of horse and livestock shows, and the 4-H awards presentation will be held that evening at 6 p.m. in the show ring. The Nebraska Pedal Pullers will compete in front of the grandstand that night at 6 p.m., and the annual teen dance gets rocking at 9 p.m.

The 2022 Custer County Fair will conclude on Thursday, Aug. 4, with the 4-H and FFA livestock sale in the show ring. This final event is the ultimate reward for these kids’ efforts and dedication with their animals throughout the year.