What the Reno County Fair Is
The Reno County Fair is the county's 4-H and open class fair, held at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson. The 2026 fair ran July 23 through 27, with a dog show the weekend before on July 18. It combines 4-H static exhibits and livestock shows with open class competitions for all ages, a fashion review, kids' contests and a livestock auction to close the week. Fair events listed for 2026 include livestock shows and judging, 4-H and open class exhibits, a public fashion review and ice cream social, an antique tractor show, a community open house, bounce houses, water wars, barnyard olympics and educational workshops and demonstrations.
How the Fair Week Runs
The opening Thursday is check-in day. The schedule published for it included:
- 7:30 to 10 a.m.: static exhibit check-in at the Meadowlark Building, with 4-H static exhibit conference judging starting at 8 a.m.
- 10 a.m.: Open Class Market Wheat Show.
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Photography Judging Contest.
- 1 p.m.: Leadership Challenge in the Pride of Kansas Building; 2 p.m.: demonstrations and public speaking for all age groups.
- 5 to 6:30 p.m.: poultry check-in and blood pull; 5 to 8 p.m.: rabbit check-in.
- 6 to 8 p.m.: sheep and goat check-in, with goat weigh-in 7 to 8 p.m. and sheep weigh-in 8 to 9 p.m.; mandatory sheep and goat meeting at 9 p.m.
- 6 to 9 p.m.: optional arrival of beef, swine and bucket calves.
The livestock auction is the last event of the fair, held on the final night, and young exhibitors earn rewards for their projects there.
What the 2025 Fair Looked Like
The 2025 fair, themed "A Walk on the Wild Side," began Thursday, July 24 and ran through Monday night.
- Dog show on the Saturday before the fair, with showmanship and obedience.
- Friday: goat show in the morning, bucket calf show for younger 4-Hers, and a ranch rodeo at the Expo II Arena that night.
- Saturday: beef show in the morning, sheep show in the evening, then a free outdoor movie and water games.
- Sunday night: Blue Ribbon Barbecue with a fashion review, scholarship presentations, kids' inflatables and a pedal pull that qualifies participants for the State Fair. Barbecue tickets were available from any 4-H member or the extension office.
- Monday night: livestock auction.
New in 2025 was butter sculpting: 30 minutes and a one-pound block of butter, with cash prizes. There was also a Lego building contest for younger kids, including "clover buds" ages 5 to 7, and Water Wars with squirt guns and water balloons and help from the local fire department.
Open Class
Open class competitions are open to all ages and include garden produce, quilts, salsa, pie recipes, woodworking and photography. Category lists and entry instructions are on the fair's website, renocountyfair.com.
Where
Kansas State Fairgrounds, 2000 N. Poplar, Hutchinson, KS 67502. Buildings include the Meadowlark Building, the Pride of Kansas Building and the Expo II Arena.
Questions
Who do I call?
The fair office at 620-960-6232.
Can adults enter?
Yes. Open class is for all ages.
Where do I find the full schedule?
On renocountyfair.com, along with entry instructions.
Official Links
- Reno County Fair on Visit Hutch: dates, location and contact
- Opening day schedule
- Reno County Fair preview: the 2025 lineup
Kansas County Fairs: The Essentials
Kansas county fairs are community partnerships. The fair board or association manages the facilities and open class, while Extension staff run the 4-H division under state 4-H policy. Fairs run across the state through the summer, starting in late June, and the Kansas Fairs and Festivals Association keeps a list of them.
Examples
Mitchell County's 2024 book paid open class blue $2.00, red $1.50 and white $1.00, and 4-H blue $2.50, red $2.00 and white $1.75. Sedgwick County took entries online, with livestock due May 31 and most static entries due June 28. Scott County's 2026 book requires YQCA training for 4-H animal projects. Deadlines differ by county, so read your fair book early.
State fair
The Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson runs September 11-20 in 2026. 4-H exhibitors must be enrolled, have shown in that division at their local fair, and generally earn a purple ribbon. Beef, sheep, swine and meat goat entries must be blue ribbon quality.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Kansas Beef Expo
Youth livestock show with junior breeding and market classes, a female sale, a trade show and a judging contest at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Held each year; the most recent dates were December 11-14, 2025.
2000 N Poplar St, Hutchinson, KS 67502 | 785-259-4122 Official event details - Abbyville Frontier Days PRCA Rodeo and BBQ
PRCA rodeo with a barbecue at the Abbyville Rodeo Grounds in Reno County. Held each year; the most recent performances were May 15 and 16, 2026, both starting at 8 PM.
- Kansas Junior Angus Preview Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were June 6-7, 2026. Junior Angus exhibitors preview their show cattle at the Prairie Pavilion on the Hutchinson fairgrounds before summer shows.
2000 N. Poplar, Hutchinson, KS 67502 | 620.874.4273 | Organizer: Kansas Angus Association Official event details - National Junior Charolais Association Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were June 20-26, 2026. Charolais youth from across the country show cattle, compete in leadership contests and meet fellow exhibitors in Hutchinson.
2000 N. Poplar, Hutchinson, KS 67502 | 816.464.2474 | Organizer: National Junior Charolais Association Official event details - Pretty Prairie Kansas Largest Night Rodeo
Night rodeo held each July in Pretty Prairie, Reno County. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 17-20, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.