What the Hayes County 4-H Fair Is
The Hayes County 4-H Fair in Hayes Center is the county showcase for 4-H and FFA members, with livestock shows, static exhibits, contests and a Friday night livestock sale. The 2026 fair ran July 27 to 31 at the livestock barns and exhibit hall. It is run by the Hayes County 4-H Council and the Hayes County Ag Society, with Nebraska Extension.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Only youth enrolled in 4-H or FFA in Hayes County may exhibit in the 4-H and FFA areas.
- All livestock must be owned by the exhibitor, identified with the Extension office, and nominated by June 14. Livestock going to the State Fair are nominated online by June 15.
- Pre-fair entries were due online by July 7, 2026. Late entries are not accepted.
- Beef, meat goat, sheep, swine, poultry and rabbit exhibitors must complete YQCA training before the fair.
- All beef, sheep, goats and hogs must be tagged before entering the fairgrounds or they cannot weigh in.
- Shows are blow and go: animals may be clipped, blown and brushed, but no adhesive, glue, paint or powder products are allowed.
- Only purple-ribbon entries can be champion or reserve champion.
- Exhibitors wear the official 4-H shirt or a white shirt with the 4-H emblem and no hats in the ring; breaking the dress code drops a ribbon placing.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Monday, July 27: archery, BB gun and pellet gun contests from 8 a.m. (registration 7:30), then clothing construction judging and a fashion show at 1:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 28: 4-H horse show at 8 a.m.; pie entries 9 to 10 a.m.
- Wednesday, July 29: exhibits entered 9 to 11 a.m. and judged from noon; small animal shows at 10 a.m.; livestock weigh-in at noon in the order beef, sheep, goats, hogs; livestock judging contest at 3:30 p.m.; ranch rodeo that night at 7 p.m.
- Thursday, July 30: swine show at 9 a.m. starting with senior showmanship, then sheep and goats; bike rodeo 12:30 p.m.; pet show 2 p.m.; beef show 4 p.m. including bucket calf, cow/calf, showmanship, feeder calf, breeding and market beef.
- Friday, July 31: Round Robin Showmanship at 9 a.m.; ultrasound carcass contest at 10 a.m.; beef reweigh at noon; exhibit hall release at 3:30 p.m.; free BBQ 5 to 6:30 p.m.; livestock sale at 7 p.m.; live music and dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Saturday, August 1: fairgrounds clean-up.
The Livestock Sale and Carcass Contest
Market animals must be shown to be sold, and females must be shown as market animals to be eligible. To sell, market steers must weigh at least 1,000 lbs and heifers 900 lbs at check-in; hogs 220 lbs; lambs 100 lbs; goats 50 lbs. Lighter animals can still show and earn ribbon premiums. Market beef cannot gain more than 5 percent from fair weigh-in to the reweigh, and sale weight is capped at 1,600 lbs. Exhibitors tell the sale secretaries which animal they will sell by the end of the show, and sale animals are led into the ring by the exhibitor. Livestock left on the grounds after noon Saturday become property of the 4-H Council.
The ultrasound carcass contest is open with any market animal. The cost is deducted from sale checks, or invoiced if the animal is not sold, and the exhibitor or a family member must bring the animal to be scanned.
Premiums and Awards
Ribbon premiums are purple $5, blue $3, red $2 and white $1. Premium checks must be cashed by December 31. Herdsmanship pays $50 to the top club and $10 to the top independent family. Round Robin Showmanship names a Grand Champion and Reserve Champion in each age division, judged on showmanship, questions and appearance across species.
Questions
Can I show without joining 4-H?
No. Exhibitors must be enrolled in 4-H or FFA in Hayes County.
Is dinner provided?
A free BBQ is served Friday from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., before the sale.
Where do I find the full rules?
In the 2026 Hayes County fairbook linked below.
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
- Hayes Center Roping Club Ranch Rodeo
Ranch rodeo hosted by the Hayes Center Roping Club on Wednesday July 29, 2026 at 7 pm during Hayes County 4-H Fair week.
Hayes Center, NE | Organizer: Hayes Center Roping Club Official event details - Hayes County 4-H Livestock Sale
Evening livestock sale closing the Hayes County 4-H Fair on Friday July 31, 2026 at 7 pm, preceded by a free BBQ and followed by live music.
Hayes Center, NE | Organizer: Nebraska Extension in Hayes 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.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.