County fairs feature plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy (2024)

County fair season is officially here.

Animal shows, static exhibits, award-winning vegetables, rodeos, concerts, food and carnival rides are all part of the popular summer events.

Like it does each year, the Wahoo PRCA Rodeo will precede the Saunders County Fair. The 69th annual rodeo will kick off Thursday and continue through Saturday at the Saunders County Fairgrounds in Wahoo.

The gates open at 6:30 p.m. each evening. The concession stands will open at that time and free pony rides will be offered for kids under 5 years old. Mutton bustin’ will be from 7 to 7:45 p.m. each night with the rodeo action starting at 8 p.m.

The eight events at a PRCA ProRodeo are bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie down roping, breakway roping, barrel racing and bull riding.

Thursday night is Nebraska 4-H Night, so all 4-H’ers wearing 4-H gear receive free admission to the rodeo when accompanied by a parent or counselor. Friday night is Military Night, which means all active-duty military and veterans get in free with ID. Saturday night is Pink Night and Seniors Night, so everyone 65 and over and those wearing pink can purchase tickets for $10.

Adult rodeo tickets (age 13 and over) are $15 in advance and $18 at the gate. Children’s tickets (ages 6-12) are $3 in advance and $6 at the gate. Children 5 and under will be admitted free.

Advance tickets will be available through noon on Thursday at Chip’s Restaurant and JD’s Craft Shack in Wahoo, Kiel’s Barber Shop in Fremont and Rusty Rooster in Yutan. Tickets at the gate will be $18 for ages 13 and over, $6 for ages 6-12, free for ages 5 and under, and $10 for seniors 65 and over. Box seats also are available may be purchased for $20 in advance at Chip’s Restaurant or for $25 at the gate.

Following are more details about the Washington and Saunders County fairs.

Washington County Fair

The theme of this year’s Washington County Fair is “Where the Good Times Grow.” Fair activities will take place Friday, July 26, through Wednesday, July 31, at the fairgrounds in Arlington.

The opening night of the fair will feature three rising Nashville stars performing live in concert.

The Traynr Band will be kicking off the night, opening on the main stage at 7 p.m. The band also will play after the concert at the RVR Bank Overhang.

Sponsored by Patriot Nation, Friday’s fair concert will include Tyler Braden, Avery Anna and Chase Wright.

Tyler Braden’s song “Try Losing One” hit No. 1 on Sirius XM – The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown. Avery Anna was a nominee for the 2023 CMT Music Award Breakthrough Artist of the Year while Chase Wright was named a 2023 Artist to Watch.

Tickets are $30 and may be purchased online at washingtoncountyfairne.com. Tickets also will be available at the gate.

The Surfaces by GMI Rodeo will be presented at 7 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Gates open at 6 p.m. It is Mid-States, Interstates Rodeo Association and United Rodeo Association sanctioned.

Tim Strathman and Wilder Horses will be playing at the beer garden on Saturday following the rodeo. Sunday’s rodeo will be followed by B.J. Jamison in the beer garden.

C&C Complete Diesel Performance and VSE will present the Antique Tractor and Truck Pull on Monday, July 29. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Antique tractors will start the night off at 5 p.m. Rum Runner will be performing on the RVR Bank Arena Overhang following the tractor pull.

The Golden Harvest Farm Tractor Pull will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 30. Gates open at 5 p.m. DJ Corleone will be providing entertainment in the beer garden after the tractor pull.

Cars will be crashing into each other at the Olsen Auto Demolition Derby on Wednesday, July 31. Gates open at 6 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to arrive early if they want good seats. Following the demolition derby, Lemon Fresh Day will play on the beer garden stage.

Tickets to the rodeo and tractor pulls are $15 for adults and $10 for kids ages 6-12. Kids 5 and under will be admitted free. General admission tickets to the demolition derby are $15.

The annual fair parade is set for 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 28. Due to street construction, the parade route in Arlington will be different this year. Visit the fair’s Facebook page to see a map of the parade route.

A free carnival also will be offered at the fair. Carnival hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, and 6 to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

Saunders County Fair

The 2024 Saunders County Fair in Wahoo begins Sunday, July 28, and will run through Sunday, Aug. 4.

The tractor and truck pulls will help kick off the fair at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 28. Check-in begins at 11 a.m. General admission tickets are $15 for ages 11 and over. Kids 10 and under will be admitted free. Pit passes will be available for $30.

The fair’s parade will make its way through downtown Wahoo at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1. Figure 8 Races will follow the parade at 7 p.m. at the Rodeo Arena. The Figure 8 Races will include compact, stock and open classes.

The fair’s demolition derby featuring cars and combines is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2. The derby classes are limited, bonestock, old school/85 and newer, youth bonestock (12-16-year-olds only and must have a passenger with them who is 19 or older who has derbied before), and combines.

Check-in both nights will be from 3 to 6 p.m. and a pit meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. General admission tickets will be $15 for ages 11 and over and free for kids 10 and under. Pit passes will be $30.

Each night, $15,000 in prize money will be up for grabs. All payouts are based on 10 cars or more (except for youth bonestock and combines).

Corey Kent with Logan Mize: Concert Under The Stars will rock the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Advance tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at saunderscountyfair.com.