4-H, food and fun

One of the busiest weeks of the summer season kicks off Aug. 1, when the Antelope County Fair officially opens in Neligh.

Fair officials have scheduled a pre-fair cleanup night, Monday, July 24, at 6:30 p.m.

Several 4-H, FFA and open class shows will be held prior to the last week in July, starting the 27th, with the cat, companion pet and dog shows.

On Friday, July 28, 4-H members enrolled in clothing and sewing projects will participate in the style revue judging and interviews at 9 a.m.

All non-interview clothing exhibits, including barn quilts, will be checked in at the fair building, between 9 a.m. and noon.

The annual 4-H Horse Show will be held Monday, July 31 and Tuesday, Aug. 1. On Monday, all events except speed, working ranch and roping events will be held. Those three events will take place Tuesday. The shows begin at 9 a.m.

At noon on Monday, first-year bucket calf record books are due at the extension office.

Open-class entries will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 1.

Other Tuesday activities include cake decorating interview from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., food entry day, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and favorite foods entry from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Clover Kids entry day and interviews will begin at 3 and continue until 7 p.m.

All other 4-H and FFA entries will be checked in at that time.

At 7 p.m., team penning will be held in the horse arena.

Open-class, 4-H and FFA judging will take place Wednesday and will be closed to the public.

Livestock check in for 4-H and FFA will occur between 3 and 9 p.m.

Interviews for 4-H members involved in the bucket calf project will take place from 4 to 8 p.m.

Weigh-ins for market livestock and second-year bucket calf weigh-ins will be held from 5 to 8 p.m.

That evening, Ag Olympics will be held, beginning at 7:30.

Start Thursday, Aug. 3, at the Farmers Pride pancake feed. Breakfast will be served between 7 and 9 a.m.

Dairy show entries must be in place by 8 a.m.

From 8 to 11 a.m., bucket calf interviews will take place and the rabbit show will be held.

Record books for second-year bucket calves must be turned in at the announcer's stand by 9 a.m.

The dairy show is slated to begin at 11 a.m., followed by the 4-H, FFA and Clover Kids bucket calf show at 1 p.m.

Fairgoers won't want to miss the best dressed goat contest, scheduled to begin at approximately 4 p.m., once the bucket calf show concludes.

The Pavilion in Riverside Park will open at 4 p.m. and close at 7.

Registration for the livestock judging contest opens at 4, with the competition starting at 4:30 p.m.

The beer garden will be open from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Extreme bull riding action will take place in front of the grandstand at Riverside Park.

Axe Kickers are scheduled to be at the fair, beginning Thursday. A time will be announced later.

Friday, Aug 4, begins with the poultry show, at 8:30 a.m.

Exhibit building and livestock facilities open at 9 a.m. and remain open for viewing until 9 p.m.

The Pavilion will reopen at noon, with vendors available until 8 p.m. Quick Draw Caricatures will be onsite to create one-of-a-kind drawings.

The goat show will take place at 2 p.m., with the sheep show to follow.

The midway will open at 6 p.m., with rides and games available until 11:30.

The beer garden will open at 6 p.m. and close at 12:30 a.m.

At 8 p.m., listen to Colt Ford sing country tunes. He will perform on stage in front of the grandstands.

Saturday events include the swine show, at 8 a.m., and beef show, slated to start at 11:30.

Exhibits will be available for viewing between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

The Pavilion will open at noon and close at 7. Quick Draw Caricatures will be available.

Register for the cornhole tournament between noon and 12:45. First toss is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

A horseshoe pitching contest will be held east of the tennis courts, beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Listen for the sound of antique tractors as they maneuver through Riverside Park and beyond, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

The 4-H premium auction will begin at 4:30 p.m., in the livestock arena. Support local 4-H and FFA youths cover costs of livestock projects by placing a bid.

The Neligh Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a countywide barbecue, with serving scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. Grab a dessert - either brownie or ice cream sundaes - at the booth in Riverside Park. Neligh Faith Community Church will be serving, beginning at 4:30.

The carnival will be open between 1 and 5 p.m. and again from 6 to 11:30 p.m.

Check out the beer garden for ice-cold drinks between 6 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.

Cheer for your favorite smash-and-crash car during the demo derby. First heat will begin at 7 p.m.

On final day of the fair, a pancake feed will be held from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., in Riverside Park. Breakfast is free for 4-H and FFA exhibitors.

The exhibit building will open at 9 a.m. and remain open until 2:30 p.m.

Church services will be held by the Pavilion, starting at 10 a.m.

The small and large animal round-robin will begin at 10:30 a.m.

The Pavilion will open at 11 a.m., and remain open through 5 p.m.

4-H members will be recognized during the awards and fashion show, at 12:30 p.m., in the livestock arena.

The carnival will be available, with times of operation to be announced.

Static exhibits will be released from the exhibit building, between 3 and 4:30 p.m. All livestock will be released beginning at 3:30.

The Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pullers will present a show in front of the grandstand, beginning at 4 p.m. The beer garden will be open during the event.

Post-fair cleanup will be held Monday, Aug. 7, at 6:30 p.m.