What the Box Butte County Fair Is
The Box Butte County Fair is the yearly 4-H and FFA fair for Box Butte County, Nebraska, with livestock shows, static exhibits, Clover Kids activities, shooting sports, a fashion show, a music contest and the Culinary Challenge. The 2027 fair is August 1 to 8, 2027, and the full 4-H schedule for that year is still to be posted. Nebraska Extension in Box Butte County runs the program and publishes the county fair book.
Divisions and Ways to Enter
- Live Animals: beef, sheep, market goat, swine, dairy, dairy goat, poultry, rabbits, cats, dogs and horses.
- Static Exhibits: project work judged in interviews with the judge.
- Clover Kids: a division for the youngest members.
- Contests: Culinary Challenge, Fashion Show, Music Contest and Shooting Sports.
Age divisions
Age is figured as of January 1. Three-division classes are Junior (8 to 10), Intermediate (11 to 13) and Senior (14 to 18). Two-division classes are Junior (8 to 11) and Senior (12 to 18).
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Exhibitors must be enrolled in Box Butte County by the June 15 deadline, through 4-H Online, or be a current FFA member at a school in the county. Late enrollees cannot exhibit or earn premiums at the county or State Fair that year.
- YQCA training is required by June 15 for beef, dairy cattle, dairy goat, meat goat, sheep, swine, poultry and rabbit exhibitors.
- The exhibitor and one parent must sign the Large Animal and/or Small Animal Handbook Agreement by July 1.
- An animal can be identified in only one county and shown at only one county fair, 4-H or FFA.
- Swine: each exhibitor may show two market swine. Under 230 lb is a feeder class. Over 320 lb is an overweight class, ineligible for purple ribbons and for the sale. Swine need 4-H or EID tags and must come to mandatory tagging at the fairgrounds.
- Judges' decisions are final. Smoking is not allowed in barns, and alcohol is not allowed in barns or campgrounds.
Key Deadlines for 2027
| Date | What is due |
|---|---|
| June 15 | 4-H online enrollment, animal affidavits (including horse and rabbit), YQCA certificates and show stock manager nomination |
| July 1 | Fair entry form, Clover Kid entry form, dog and cat vaccinations, T-shirt orders, camper spots at the fairgrounds, horse level testing and handbook agreements |
| July 15 | Poultry and rabbit pre-entry, music contest entry forms and fashion show narration forms |
Ribbons, Premiums and Awards
Judging uses the modified Danish system with purple, blue, red and white ribbons. Expected premiums are $3.00 for purple, $2.00 for blue, $1.00 for red and $0.50 for white, prorated if entries exceed the money available. Only purple ribbon winners are considered for Champion and Reserve Champion awards.
Dress Code
- Beef, sheep, market goat, swine, poultry, rabbits, cats and dogs: blue jeans, an official 4-H T-shirt and closed-toe shoes.
- Dairy and dairy goat: white pants, an official 4-H T-shirt and closed-toe shoes.
- Horse: blue jeans, a long-sleeved white collared shirt, a 4-H armband, boots and a Western hat.
Where
Box Butte County Fairgrounds, Hemingford, Nebraska.
Questions
Who do I call?
Nebraska Extension in Box Butte County, 415 Black Hills Ave., Alliance, NE 69301, 308-762-5616.
Where is the fair book?
Online at the Box Butte County Fair Book on the Extension site, with sections for rules, the entry form, Clover Kids, contests, live animals and static exhibits.
Official Links
- Box Butte County Fair: 2027 dates and deadlines
- Box Butte County Fair Book: sections and contact
- Fair rules and policies: eligibility, dress code, premiums
- Swine division: classes, weights and tagging
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
- Box Butte County 4-H Holiday Maker Day
Youth ages 5-18 choose four holiday projects from 2:30 to 4:30 pm on Friday, December 18, 2026; registration is due December 1 at the Extension office.
Alliance, NE | Organizer: Nebraska Extension in Box Butte County Official event details - Nebraska Wheat Board Meeting
Wheat checkoff board meeting on the Nebraska Wheat calendar, held in Lincoln on Nov. 18, 2026, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.
- Nebraska Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and Convention
Farm Bureau members meet for policy voting, discussion meet rounds, workshops, a keynote and board elections. The 2026 meeting is Dec. 6 to 8; the 2025 convention was also held in Kearney.
- Nebraska Cattlemen Convention and Trade Show
Annual convention and trade show of Nebraska Cattlemen at the Younes Conference Center South in Kearney, scheduled for Dec. 9 to 11, 2026.
- Nebraska Farm Bureau YF&R Conference
Young Farmers and Ranchers conference of Nebraska Farm Bureau at the Graduate Hotel in Lincoln, scheduled for Jan. 29 to 30, 2027.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.