What the Buffalo County Fair Is
The Buffalo County Fair in Kearney is the county 4-H showcase: the week where members bring what they have made, grown and raised to be judged. The most recent edition ran July 21 to 27, 2026 at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds. Outside of livestock, the fair covers dogs, horses, small animals and cats, rabbits, poultry, and indoor static exhibits such as foods, horticulture, clothing, photography and science and technology.
Who Can Enter
To show at the fair, youth must be enrolled in 4-H by June 15 and enrolled in the project area they exhibit. All livestock, horse, poultry and rabbit exhibitors complete an animal affidavit with a Premise ID, and cat and dog exhibitors turn in vaccine forms by June 15. Livestock exhibitors must complete YQCA quality assurance training. Horse exhibitors complete Horse IDs and advancement level testing by June 15.
How It Works: The Timeline
- June 15: 4-H enrollment, animal affidavits, YQCA and ID deadlines.
- July 2: online entry closes at midnight in Fairwire. Projects not entered get no premium.
- Tuesday, July 21: 4-H dog show and agility course at 8 a.m., small animal and cat show at 9 a.m., and static entry from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Extension Building.
- Wednesday, July 22: foods entry 7 to 8 a.m. only, with no late entries; horticulture and floriculture entry 7 to 9:30 a.m.; 4-H horse show at 8 a.m.; interview judging 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. (sign up from July 1, limited to three items); non-interview judging 1 to 8 p.m.
- Thursday, July 23: livestock check-in, cake walk at 1 p.m., and the decorated cake, pie auction and fashion show at 5:30 p.m. in the Exhibit Building.
- Friday to Sunday: livestock shows, rabbit and poultry judging, Clover Kids Show and Tell on Saturday at 10:30 a.m., and Outstanding Exhibitor awards on Sunday at 5 p.m.
- Sunday, July 26: static entries released 4 to 5:30 p.m.; no early release.
- Monday, July 27: 4-H Appreciation BBQ at 11:30 a.m. for all 4-H youth and families, then the livestock premium auction at 1 p.m.
Ribbons and Premiums
Exhibits are placed purple for superior, blue for excellent, red for average and white for acceptable. Livestock entry fees cover bedding: beef and dairy $25 per head, bucket calf $8, sheep, goat and swine $8, with extra bags of chips at $10. Exhibit Building hours: opens at 1 p.m. Thursday, then 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Special Entries
- Farm display exhibits go in Agronomy classes G750001 through G750010, no larger than 28 by 28 inches, with a one-page essay in a clear cover or a ribbon placing is deducted.
- The Premier Science Award application is turned in on static entry day.
- Photography, clothing, food preservation, visual arts and home design exhibits need data cards.
- Youth who want to enter the State 4-H Horse Expo at Fonner Park must complete Horse IDs, level testing and online entries by June 1.
Questions
Do I need to be in 4-H to show?
Yes, enrollment by June 15 is required.
Can I bring food entries late?
No. Foods are accepted only 7 to 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Where do I find results?
Nebraska Extension posts them on its county fair results page.
Official Links
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
- 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 Cattlemen's Classic
Winter livestock judging contest in Kearney on Feb. 14, 2026, part of the Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit.
Kearney, NE | Organizer: Nebraska 4-H Official event details - Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference
The 41st annual conference for women in farming and ranching, with a pre-conference session on Feb. 25 and the main program Feb. 26 and 27, 2026, in Kearney.
416 Talmadge St., Kearney, NE | Organizer: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Official event details - Nebraska Livestock Judging Classic
Summer judging classic in Kearney on June 12, 2026, counted on the Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit.
Kearney, NE | Organizer: Nebraska 4-H Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.