What the Dakota County Fair 4-H Livestock Shows Are
The Dakota~Thurston County Fair is the week when 4-H and FFA members from Dakota and Thurston counties show their animals. Fair week ran July 26 to August 1, 2026, and is run through Nebraska Extension in Dakota County. Shows cover companion animals, rabbits, swine, poultry, beef, sheep, goats and horses.
The 2026 Show Schedule
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Sunday, July 26 | Cat show, dog show and companion animal show |
| Tuesday, July 28 | Rabbit check-in 8:00 to 9:30 a.m., then the rabbit show |
| Wednesday, July 29 | Livestock and horse entry, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, July 30 | Swine show and poultry show |
| Friday, July 31 | Beef shows (market beef, cow/calf, feeder calf, breeding heifer and bucket calf) and the sheep show |
| Saturday, August 1 | Horse show |
Who Can Enter
- Members of Dakota or Thurston County 4-H clubs, FFA chapters or Extension-sponsored special interest groups. FFA members must be in good standing.
- 4-H ages are 8 to 18 as of January 1 of the current year. Cloverkids are ages 5 to 7.
- 4-H members must be enrolled in the Dakota or Thurston program by June 15.
- Youth may identify an animal in only one county.
- Exhibitors ages 8 and older with beef, goats, sheep, swine, poultry or rabbits must complete a YQCA program by July 17.
Deadlines and Entry
- Horse ID sheets: May 29 (June 1 in the fairbook rules).
- Livestock ID sheets and affidavits for beef, goats, sheep, swine and rabbits: June 15.
- Online pre-entry: July 15 at go.unl.edu/dtlivestock. Paper forms are available if the online form fails.
- Bucket calf record book: Thursday, July 30, by noon.
- A $10 late fee applies per individual for entries or affidavits up to one week past a deadline.
Rules and Fees
- Affidavits are required for beef, sheep, swine, goats, horses and rabbits. Horse exhibitors also need a waiver form.
- Maximum animals per member: 20 market beef, 20 market lambs, 10 breeding sheep, 20 feeder calves, 40 market swine and 20 market goats.
- Only enrolled 4-H or FFA members, their families and leaders may groom animals; professional groomers are not allowed.
- Dress code: an approved 4-H t-shirt or plain white button-down collared shirt with a 4-H armband, dark blue denim jeans and closed-toe shoes. No hats. FFA members wear an FFA shirt and dark jeans.
- Cats and dogs need vaccinations, shown by a vet-signed certificate or receipt.
Ribbon premiums by schedule range from $3.00 to $12.00 per exhibit, depending on the class and ribbon color.
Bonus Auction
A bonus auction is open to beef (bucket calf, feeder calf and market steer or heifer), market swine, market lambs, market goats, champion meat rabbits and champion broilers. Exhibitors are limited to two species and two bonuses and must be present to receive the money. Livestock are released after the bonus auction, no earlier than 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 2.
Where
The Dakota~Thurston County Fairgrounds. Extension office: 1505 Broadway, Dakota, NE 68731.
Questions
Who do I call?
Nebraska Extension in Dakota County, (402) 987-2140.
Where is the fairbook?
The county fairbook has class numbers and rules. A link is below.
Can an adult show my animal for me?
No. An animal must be shown by the exhibitor who entered it, unless the Grievance Committee excuses the exhibitor for serious illness, injury or a death in the immediate family.
Official Links
- Dakota County Fair and State Fair: dates, deadlines and entry
- General rules, premium schedule and code of conduct
- Dakota~Thurston County Fairbook
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
- Dakota-Thurston County Fair
Each year South Sioux City hosts the Dakota-Thurston County Fair at Dakota Thurston County Fairgrounds. Most recent run: July 26 to August 2, 2026. Serves Dakota and Thurston counties.
1527 Stable Dr, South Sioux City, NE 68776 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.
- 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
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.