4-H projects, big shows headline county fair

Area youths will showcase baked goods and beef, photography and poultry, and more as the Antelope County Fair kicks off.

Pre-fair events, including cleanup at the grounds, in Neligh, are underway.

On Friday, July 29, the 4-H style revue will take place at 9 a.m. Clothing construction judging will begin, as will photography judging.

On Saturday, the second annual Antelope County Historical Society and Museum trail ride will begin at 10 a.m., two miles east of Oakdale, north on 529 Avenue. According to organizers, the six-hour trail ride "is designed to show the diversity of Antelope County's scenery and highlight history of the Oakdale and Cedar Creek areas."

The pick-draw roping event will begin at 12:30, in the arena. To preregister or for more information, contact Paul Rudloff at 402-929-0480.

The first 4-H show will start activity on Monday, Aug. 1, at 9 a.m., with the 4-H/FFA/open class dog show.

The 4-H/FFA and open class cat show will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the 4-H/FFA and open class small pet show.

First-year bucket calf record books must be turned in at the extension office by noon.

A second cleanup night will begin at 6:30. All 4-H families are invited to assist.

Open class entries will be accepted Tuesday, Aug. 2, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

4-H participants in cake decorating, food categories and favorite foods will take part in interviews and enter exhibits throughout the day.

Clover Kids entry day will be held from 1 to 4 p.m.

At 7 p.m., watch the team penning event in the horse arena.

Open class judging will take place Wednesday morning and displays set up in the afternoon.

Entry day for all 4-H and FFA exhibits, other than livestock, will be completed between 9 a.m. and noon.

Livestock check-in will take place between 3 and 9 p.m.

Bucket calf interviews will be held between 4 and 8 p.m., while 4-H market livestock and second-year bucket calf weigh-ins will occur between 5 and 8 p.m.

Young and old may participate in Ag Olympics, Wednesday, at 7:30.

Join Farmers Pride, Thursday, Aug. 4, as they serve pancakes, from 7 to 9 a.m.

Bucket calf interviews are scheduled for Thursday morning.

Three 4-H, FFA and open class livestock shows will take place Thursday. The rabbit show will begin at 8 a.m. The 4-H horse show will feature timed events, including ground roping, working stock and trail. At 11 a.m., the 4-H, FFA and open class dairy show will take place.

Look for plenty of photo opportunities as the 4-H, FFA, and Clover Kids bucket calf show begins at 1 p.m.

Check out the best dressed goats, at 4 p.m., as they and their owners vie for the title.

The pavilion will open in the park, at 4 p.m.

Registration for the livestock judging contest will begin at 4, with competition slated to start at 4:30.

The beer garden will open at 6 p.m. and remain open until 1 a.m.

At 7:30, extreme bull riding will take place in front of the Riverside Park grandstand.

Another full day of events is planned for Friday, Aug. 5.

The 4-H and FFA horse show continues its second day, with judged events scheduled at 8:30 a.m.

In the livestock arena, 4-H, FFA and open class poultry will be shown.

The exhibit building will open and 9 a.m. 4-H static exhibits will be on display until 9 p.m.

The pavilion, in Riverside Park, will open at noon and remain open until 10 p.m.

The 4-H and FFA and open class goat show will begin at 2 p.m., followed by the sheep show.

Kids will want to jump on inflatables, which will be open from 6 to 11:30 p.m.

The beer garden also opens at 6 p.m.

At 8 p.m., country music star Phil Vassar will take center stage.

Saturday events begin with the 4-H/FFA and open class swine show, at 8 a.m.

The exhibit building will beopen from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The 4-H/FFA and open class beef show will begin at 11 a.m. Open class and peewees bucket calf show will be held during this time.

The Riverside Park Pavilion will open at noon and remain open until 10 p.m.

A cornhole tournament and car show will begin at noon, by the tennis court, while the annual horseshoe pitching contest is slated to begin at 1:30 p.m.

At 3:30 p.m., an antique tractor parade will make its way around Neligh.

The 4-H livestock premium auction will start at 4 p.m.

The Antelope County barbecue, sponsored by the Neligh Chamber of Commerce, will begin at 4:30 p.m. At the same time, Neligh United Methodist Church will serve brownie and ice cream sundaes. Both events will occur in Riverside Park.

The Aksarben Pioneer Farm Family Awards will be presented at 5 p.m.

Inflatables open at 6 p.m. and remain open until 11:30.

The beer garden will open at 6 p.m. and remain open until 1 a.m.

The demo derby will start at 7 p.m., at the grandstand.

4-H and FFA exhibitors eat free at the French toast feed in Riverside Park. Serving begins at 7:30 and continues until 10:30 a.m.

The exhibit building will open at 9 a.m.

An open horse fun day will take place in the horse arena. A church service will be held by the pavilion. Both events are scheduled to start at 10 a.m.

Livestock champs will meet for the small and large animal round robin competitions at 10:30.

The pavilion, in Riverside Park, will open at 11, with vendors on site until 5 p.m.

The 4-H fashion revue and awards ceremony will start at 12:30 p.m., in the livestock show arena.

All static exhibits will be released between 3 and 4:30 p.m., while livestock will be released at 3:30 p.m.

At 5 p.m., outlaw truck and tractor pullers will perform in front of the grandstand. The beer garden will open then also.

Post fair cleanup will take place Monday, Aug. 8, at 6:30 p.m.