Antelope County Fair offers fun for all ages

There's something for everyone at the 2025 Antelope County Fair, slated to begin Tuesday, July 29, in Neligh. Several 4H/FFA/Open Class animal shows will begin prior to that date. On July 24, the dog, cat and companion animal shows will begin at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. On Friday, modeling judging will begin at 9 a.m., and 4H members will enter exhibits in several categories. Monday, July 28 The horse show will take place Monday, July 28 and Tuesday, July 29. On Monday, all classes will take places, except for speed, working ranch and roping events, planned to start on Tuesday. Both shows are slated for a 9 a.m. start. Tuesday, July 29 Entry for open class exhibits will be Tuesday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Use the north door to access the building. Static 4H and FFA exhibits will be entered and judging of food products will take place. First-year bucket calf participants will meet with judges between 3 and 5 p.m., for interviews. At 7 p.m., team penning is scheduled to begin at the arena. Wednesday, July 30 Static exhibit judging will take place between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. All 4H and FFA livestock entries will be checked in between 8 a.m. and noon. The dairy show will begin at noon, with animals scheduled to be released after the show. At 4 p.m., youngsters will show first-year bucket calves. Join in the fun at Ag Olympics, scheduled for 7 p.m. in the show arena. Thursday, July 31 Farmers Pride will serve breakfast from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pancakes and fixings will be served in the Ag building. Second-year bucket calf participants will go through the interview process, beginning at 9 a.m. Two 4H/FFA/Open Class animal shows are scheduled in the afternoon. At 1, the sheep show will begin, with the goat show set to follow at 3:30. Check out vendors in the pavilion, beginning at 4 p.m. The building will be open until 7 p.m. Registration for the livestock judging contest is set for 5:30 p.m., with competition planned to begin at 6. The carnival will be open from 6 to 11:30 p.m. The beer garden will open at 7 p.m. and operate until 12:30 a.m. Identification is required to enter. Prepare for rough-and-ready action as bull riding begins at 8 p.m. at the grandstand. Tickets are $15. Ages 10 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Friday, August 1 Friday events begin with the 4H/FFA/Open Class Swine Show at 8 a.m. The exhibit building and livestock facilities will open at 9 a.m. and remain open through 9 p.m. Eggs and poultry-caged class judging will take place at 11 a.m. The poultry show will begin at 1 p.m. Stop by the pavilion from noon until 8 p.m. Quick Draw Caricatures will set up shop in the area. The carnival will be open from 6 to 11:30 p.m. The beer garden will open at 7 p.m. and operate until 12:30 a.m. Identification is required to enter. A second evening of bull riding, along with bull fighting, begins at 8 p.m. at the grandstand. Tickets are $15. Ages 10 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Saturday, August 2 The 4H/FFA/Open Class Beef Show will kick off Saturday activities at 8:30 a.m. Check out 4H and FFA static exhibits between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. The pavilion will be open between noon and 7 p.m. Quick Draw Caricatures will be onsite. The carnival will be available from 1 to 5 p.m., and 6 to 11:30 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., a horseshoe pitching contest will take place east of the tennis court. An antique tractor parade will be held in Riverside Park, beginning at 3:30 p.m. The 4H premium auction, recognizing 4H animal showmen, will begin at 4 p.m. Make Saturday evening dinner plans now. The Antelope County barbecue, sponsored by the Neligh Chamber of Commerce, will begin at 4:30 in Riverside Park. After the barbecue, visit the Neligh Faith Community Church stand for brownie and ice cream sundaes, served in Riverside Park. Aksarben and Pioneer Farm Family Awards will be presented at 5 p.m. in Riverside Park. The beer garden will open at 7 p.m. and operate until 12:30 a.m. Identification is required to enter. At 8 p.m., at the grandstand, smash-mouth entertainment, in the form of a demolition derby, will take place. Tickets are $20. Ages 10 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Sunday, August 3 A pancake feed is scheduled for 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. in Riverside Park. 4H and FFA exhibitors eat for free. The exhibit building will be open for viewing of static entries between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. A church service is planned for 10 a.m. by the pavilion. The small animal round robin will begin at 10 a.m., with the large animal round robin to follow. The pavilion will open at 11 a.m. and remain open until 5 p.m. At noon, the 4H Awards and Fashion Show will take place in the livestock show arena. A scavenger hunt is slated to start at approximately 2 p.m. The carnival will be open, with times to be announced. Static entries will be released between 2:30 and 5 p.m. All livestock entries will be released at 3 p.m. and must be out of the barn by 5 p.m. A beer garden will open at 5 p.m. Identification is required to enter. The final show planned is the Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pullers, which will begin at 5 at the grandstand. Tickets are $15. Ages 10 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Monday, August 4 Post-fair clean up will begin at 6:30, on Monday, August. 4.