What the Adams County 4-H Fair Animal Shows Are
The Adams County 4-H Fair is the yearly show for Adams County 4-H members and their animals at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Hastings. Youth show beef, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits, cats, dogs and horses, compete in showmanship and contests, and sell market animals at the 4-H Livestock Premium Auction the morning after the fair ends. Nebraska Extension in Adams County runs the program. The 2026 fair ran July 15 to 19, with the auction on July 20 at 9:00 a.m. The next fair is July 14 to 18, 2027, with the auction on July 19, 2027, at 9:00 a.m.
Who Can Enter
- Youth must be active in Adams County 4-H Online and have paid the Adams County enrollment fee for the current year.
- Each year members register in Adams County ShoWorks as a new exhibitor. ShoWorks is separate from 4-H Online.
- Nebraska 4-H enrollment is required to participate, with a June 15 deadline.
- Any active Adams County 4-H member may exhibit horticulture, floriculture and houseplants, regardless of project enrollment.
Deadlines Before the Fair
| Date (2026) | What is due |
|---|---|
| June 1, 5:00 p.m. | Adams County animal ID |
| June 15, 11:59 p.m. | Pre-fair online entries for required exhibits in ShoWorks (late entries may be penalized) |
| June 15, 5:00 p.m. | Horse advancement levels and DNA samples for State Fair livestock, at the Extension Office |
Required pre-entries include all livestock, including Clover Kid animals, showmanship classes for required livestock and the Food Review, 4-H Culinary Challenge, Ice Cream in a Can, Ice Cream in a Bag team event and Best Dressed Goat contests. Static exhibits can be pre-entered, or entered on Static Entry Day.
How Fair Week Works
- July 8: Fashion Show judging, Food Review Contest and the public fashion show at 7:00 p.m.
- July 10: fair setup, livestock areas at 5:00 p.m. and the Static Exhibit Hall at 6:30 p.m.
- July 12 and 13: static exhibit entry and interview judging.
- July 14 and 15: livestock may begin stalling.
- July 15 to 19: animal shows and contests.
- July 20: Livestock Premium Auction at 9:00 a.m., then static exhibit release.
In 2024, the week ran like this: swine and rabbit shows opened the first full day, followed by sheep, then cats and small animals, the Clover Kids livestock show, market broilers, poultry and beef, then the horse show, goat show, dog show and the Best Dressed Goat Contest. The last day held the Round Robin Showmanship, the Livestock Judging Contest, a Junior Leader pancake feed and a 4-H dance. Exact 2027 times are posted in the fair book each spring.
What Exhibitors Get
Exhibitors receive judged placings, premium money and a chance at the Round Robin. Sale proceeds and fair premium checks are distributed in mid-September (September 15 in 2026). Animals that are DNA-tested and nominated for the State Fair can go on to Aksarben and the Nebraska State Fair.
Where
Adams County Fairgrounds, Hastings, Nebraska. Static exhibits are displayed in the Activity Center.
Questions
Can I enter at the last minute?
Late entries are accepted at the Extension Office but may be penalized.
Do I need to pre-enter animals?
Yes. All livestock exhibits must be pre-entered online, with the 2027 deadline set at June 15, 2027.
Who do I call?
Nebraska Extension in Adams County, 2975 S Baltimore Ave, Hastings, 402-461-7209.
Official Links
- Adams County 4-H and Events Calendar: 2026 dates and deadlines
- Adams County 4-H Fair: 2027 dates, eligibility and entry
- Fair calendar and deadlines: week-by-week schedule from the most recent full listing
Nebraska County Fairs: The Essentials
Nebraska county fairs are run by local fair boards and agricultural societies, while Nebraska Extension runs the 4-H side. Nebraska 4-H points to nebraskafairs.org for a printable list of fair dates and locations.
Examples
Cherry County's 2024 book paid purple $5, blue $4, red $3 and white $2 on standard classes. Pawnee County's 2026 book paid $7, $5, $3 and $1 on typical breeding and market classes and requires YQCA before June 15. Saline County's open class is open to any Nebraska resident, with animal entries due June 13 in its 2025 book. Deadlines differ by county, so read your fair book early.
State fair
The Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island ran August 28 to September 7 in 2026 per Pawnee County's book. 4-H youth must enroll by June 15, static exhibits need a county purple ribbon, and livestock entries close August 10 at 8 p.m. Central.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Adams County 4-H Beef Progress Show
Pre-fair progress show for 4-H beef projects, held May 30, 2026 at the Adams County Fairgrounds, following the early-February beef weigh-in.
Hastings, NE | Organizer: Nebraska Extension in Adams County Official event details - Adams County Sheep, Goat, Poultry and Rabbit Progress Show
Small-livestock progress show for 4-H sheep, goat, poultry and rabbit projects on June 20, 2026 at the Adams County Fairgrounds, a month before fair week.
Hastings, NE | Organizer: Nebraska Extension in Adams County Official event details - Adams County 4-H Fashion Show and Food Review Contest
Fashion Show judging at 9 AM, the Food Review Contest at 2 PM and a public fashion show at 7 PM, all at the Adams County Fairgrounds on July 8, 2026.
Hastings, NE | Organizer: Nebraska Extension in Adams County Official event details - Adams County 4-H Livestock Premium Auction
Closing sale of the Adams County Fair, held at 9:00 AM on July 20, 2026 at the fairgrounds in Hastings; static exhibits are released that afternoon.
Hastings, NE | Organizer: Nebraska Extension in Adams County Official event details - Adams County Fairfest
The Adams County Fairfest is held each year in Hastings at Adams County Fairgrounds; the most recent dates were July 15-19, 2026. Billed as Fairfest.
947 S Baltimore Ave, Hastings, NE 68901 Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.