What the Hitchcock County 4-H Fair Is
The Hitchcock County 4-H Fair is an 11-day event for 4-H youth in Hitchcock County, Nebraska. The 2026 fair ran July 8 to 18, with shooting sports, horse, dog, small animal and livestock shows, exhibit judging and a closing livestock premium sale. Nebraska Extension in Hitchcock County runs it, and the livestock barns and exhibit hall are at the Culbertson fairgrounds.
The 2026 Schedule
| Day | Events |
|---|---|
| Wed, July 8 | Clothing Day 9:00 a.m.; trap contest 6:00 p.m. |
| Sat, July 11 | .22 rifle, muzzleloader and pistol contests 8:00 a.m. |
| Sun, July 12 | Livestock barn and exhibit hall clean-up and setup 6:30 p.m. |
| Mon, July 13 | Horse show 8:30 a.m. |
| Tue, July 14 | Dog show 8:00 a.m., then cat and companion animal |
| Wed, July 15 | Rabbit show 8:30 a.m.; poultry show 9:30 a.m.; livestock weigh-in and check-in 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.; open class entries 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. |
| Thu, July 16 | 4-H exhibit hall entries 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.; exhibit judging from noon; dairy show 4:00 p.m.; beef show 5:00 p.m. |
| Fri, July 17 | Swine, sheep and goat shows 9:00 a.m.; round robin showmanship 2:00 p.m.; livestock judging contest 3:30 p.m. |
| Sat, July 18 | Archery, BB gun and pellet gun contests from 8:00 a.m. (registration 7:30); casting contest 9:00 a.m.; Cupcake Construction Wars 2:00 p.m.; livestock sale 6:00 p.m.; exhibit and livestock release 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. |
The beef show includes Clover Kid Bucket Calf, Bucket Calf, showmanship by age group, Stocker Feeders, Cow/Calf, Breeding Heifer and Market Beef. The swine, sheep and goat shows include Clover Kid, showmanship, breeding, market and pen classes.
How to Enter and the Rules
- Pre-fair entries were due June 25 by 9:00 p.m., entered online at hitchcock.fairwire.com. Horticulture and floriculture entries are on paper and turned in at the fair. Entries need the applicable fees, and all enrollment and entry deadlines must be met.
- Livestock must be shown at the county fair livestock shows and stay on the grounds from check-in until release Saturday night.
- Fairgrounds clean-up on Sunday, July 12 at 6:30 p.m. is expected of all clubs and independent members.
- All livestock pens and stalls must be fully cleaned by Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Penalties apply to uncleaned pens.
- Dress: livestock exhibitors wear an approved 4-H T-shirt or white sleeved shirt with a 4-H chevron, blue jeans and hard-sole shoes. Horse exhibitors wear a white long-sleeved shirt with a 4-H armband, a western hat, dark blue jeans and hard-soled shoes or boots. Bowling and shooting sports need blue jeans (no shorts or capris) and the approved shirt.
The Livestock Premium Sale
The sale starts at 6:00 p.m. Saturday. To sell, animals must be led in the auction ring, and horses must be on the grounds by 5 p.m. on sale day. Each youth must contact at least two buyers by phone or in person and give or send each a livestock auction postcard, which can be picked up at the Extension Office. After the sale, write a thank-you note to your buyer and bring it to Lisa Spencer (308-340-4145) or Linnette Kisker (308-440-1137), or text them a photo. Sale checks are released after the thank-you is received; if it is not in by September 18, the premium check is reduced by 20 percent. Exhibitor and animal photos are taken on show day.
Where
The fairgrounds in Culbertson, with the livestock barns and exhibit hall. The Extension Office moves to the fairgrounds the morning of Monday, July 13 and runs there through July 18. Clothing judging and the public fashion show are held at the TCDC Building in Trenton.
Questions
Where do I get a fair book?
Pick one up at the Extension Office or use the digital version. Call 308-334-5666.
Who do I call?
Nebraska Extension in Hitchcock County, 229 E. D St., Trenton, 308-334-5666.
When is the next one?
The fair is held each July. The most recent was July 8 to 18, 2026.
Official Links
- Hitchcock County 4-H Fairbooks and Information: schedule and fair book
- Southwest Nebraska Extension newsletter: entry deadlines, dress code and sale rules
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
- Hitchcock County 4-H Livestock Sale
Closing livestock sale of the Hitchcock County 4-H Fair on Saturday July 18, 2026 at 6 pm, after the casting contest and cupcake construction event.
NE | Organizer: Nebraska Extension in Hitchcock 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.
- 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.