What the Cheyenne County Fair and Rodeo Is
The Cheyenne County Fair and Rodeo in Sidney is a week-plus mix of 4-H and FFA exhibiting, open class entries, a PRCA rodeo, concerts and grandstand shows. The most recent edition ran from July 18 to 26, 2026 at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds. The 4-H side is run through Nebraska Extension in Cheyenne County, and the fair board runs the grandstand events.
For 4-H and FFA Exhibitors
- All 4-H projects had to be pre-entered with entry sheets due to the county Extension office by Monday, July 6.
- Livestock exhibitors attend a Pre-Fair Exhibitor and Family Meeting at the Livestock Pavilion on Friday, July 17 at 5:00 p.m.
- A swine carcass contest is held in the days before the fair: pigs are weighed, loaded and hauled to a packer in Ovid, Colorado, with measuring and judging that afternoon.
- Market beef gets an ultrasound on check-in day, with an ultrasound review at 1:00 p.m.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Thursday, July 16: fashion show judging, clothing construction, table setting and life challenges judging.
- Saturday, July 18: 4-H working cow, dummy roping and trail at 9 a.m.; barrel races in the evening; a cheer and dance competition at 10 a.m.
- Monday, July 20: 4-H horse show at 9 a.m.; 4-H static and general exhibits entered and judged noon to 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 21: weigh-in. Swine 7:30 a.m., sheep and meat goats 8:30 a.m., beef 9:30 a.m., rabbits and poultry entered 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., stocker/feeders, bucket calves and breeding heifers at 11:00 a.m. A judging clinic follows at 2:00 p.m. and a livestock judging contest at 3:00 p.m. The PRCA rodeo opens that night at 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 22: 4-H/FFA swine show at 9 a.m., then the small animal show.
- Thursday, July 23: sheep, meat goat and dairy goat shows from 9 a.m.; 4-H fashion show and awards at 6 p.m.
- Friday, July 24: beef showmanship at 9 a.m., then bucket calf, stocker/feeder, breeding heifer and market beef and bred-and-fed shows, with Round Robin Showmanship after the beef show.
- Saturday, July 25: 4-H Livestock Sale at 9 a.m. in the Livestock Pavilion, with a 4-H Appreciation Lunch at noon.
- Sunday, July 26: exhibits released 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and fairgrounds clean-up.
Show times are approximate and shows follow one another immediately.
Grandstand Tickets
| Event | Price |
|---|---|
| PRCA Rodeo and WPRA Barrel Race, with mutton busting (Tuesday, 7 p.m.) | $20 |
| Monster Truck Bash (Wednesday, 7 p.m.) | $20 |
| Chancey Williams with Midnight Rodeo (Friday, 7 p.m.) | $30 |
| That Arena Rock Show (Thursday, 7 p.m.) | $25 |
| Demolition Derby, lawn mower races and combine derby (Saturday, 7 p.m.) | Grandstands $20, pit pass $30 |
Children 5 and under are free. Tickets were sold online at cheyennecountyfair.com from March 1, in person at Finney's Ace Hardware from about April 1, and at the fair board office ticket window during fair week. 4-H and open class exhibits are open to the public in the evenings and from noon to 9 p.m. later in the week.
Questions
Is there a rodeo?
Yes. A PRCA rodeo with a WPRA barrel race and mutton busting opens the grandstand lineup on Tuesday night, after the royalty coronation at 6:15 p.m.
When is the livestock sale?
Saturday, July 25 at 9 a.m. in the Livestock Pavilion in the 2026 schedule.
Can adults enter open class?
Yes. Open class horse, static, swine, poultry, rabbit, sheep, goat and beef entries run alongside the 4-H shows.
Official Links
- 2026 Cheyenne County Fair schedule
- Fair information and ticket prices
- cheyennecountyfair.com
- Visit Nebraska 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
- 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.
- 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 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.