The fair theme this year for the 141st Sheridan County Fair & Rodeo is “Liberty and Legacy” proudly celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
Grand Marshal for the fair is Jerry Kearns. “Jerry gives of his time to the community with this dedication to the fire departments in Gordon and Rushville, and is constantly helping businesses on mainstreet with snow removal. He has assisted the fairboard with numerous projects over the years. We are excited to honor him as Grand Marshal,” stated Lindsey. Parade entry forms may be found on the fair website and facebook page. Parade entries will be handed in the morning of the parade and line up first comes, first served after the Color Guard, Grand Marshal, and Good Neighbor winner just like years past.
Back for the sixth year, is the three-night PRCA Rodeo. Lindsey explained “We welcome back our stock contractor Muddy Creek Pro Rodeo to provide us some of the very best NFR quality stock.” Slack will be at 9:00 am on Thursday and Friday, and the PRCA rodeo performances will be on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday starting at 8:00 pm each night. New this year will be the arena funny man and trick act. “We will have Scot Allerdings as our Clown this year. He calls himself “A Class Clown”. Additionally, we have Kole Minor coming to be our specialty act. Kole is a professional trick roper and lights bull whips on fire, as well as trick rope acts,” stated Lindsey, “We welcome back the voice of the SCF&R PRCA Rodeo, Garrison Panzer as our announcer again this year. We are excited about all three gentlemen coming to Sheridan County,” stated Lindsey.
Back again this year will be the Sheridan County Fair and Rodeo Tailgate Party starting at 7:00 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday prior to the PRCA rodeo. “We have created an experience, and brought people to town to come and eat, relax, and get ready for a great rodeo performance each night. We will have events Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Events will include dog races, beer olympics, and a mom race,” explained Lindsey. Sign up information, and further details will be coming soon!
Entertainment will play on Thursday, and Saturday night throughout Gordon. Thursday the Gordon Country Club will have the sounds of Four Aces & Saturday night dance to the sounds of the Jim Rice Band in McGinley arena following the PRCA Rodeos.
Officially starting fair week is the style show and music and poetry contest at the Nebraska Extension - Sheridan County Office in Rushville on Friday, July 17. Activities begin at 9:00 am with the public reviews at 2:00pm at the Rushville Assisted Living.
Saturday July 18 kicks off the 4-H horse show. Check-in begins at 7:00 am with the show starting at 8:00 am at McGinley Arena. New this year is the Native American Pow Wow to be held from 12-7pm by the Kiwanis Ball field.
The Junior Rodeo will be Sunday, July 19. The same format as last year will be followed. Junior Rodeo entries will be online only again this year. Waivers and payment will be taken from 7-9 a.m. Sharp, then 10 a.m. the Jr. Rodeo will get underway. At 9 a.m. is also when the Sheridan County Fair & Rodeo Princess competition begins.
If your child is interested in participating in any of the Junior Rodeo events this year, get them registered online by July 12. Registration information can be found on the fair website www. sheridancountyfairandrodeo. com.
“Pre-registration speeds things up and ensures a smooth and accurate rodeo. It allows parents to just sign waivers and provide payment,” Lindsey explained.
The evening of Sunday, July 19 is the color run at 4:00 pm and scavenger hunt at 6:30 pm. “Participants will meet at McGinley Arena for the start of both events,” stated Lindsey.
Monday, July 20 the cats and dogs come to town! The cat show will kick off at 2:00 pm followed by the dog show.
Tuesday, July 21 all of the static and open class projects will be judged. Static judging will be held from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Open Class check in will be from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. That evening is the crowd favorite mutton bustin’, Jim Smith Memorial Ranch event and Kevin Kruger Memorial Ranch Bronc Riding. The night will start with Mutton Bustin’ at 6:00 pm, and just like years past medals and buckles will be passed out right away. Then the night moves into the Jim Smith Memorial Ranch Event and Kevin Kruger Memorial Ranch Bronc Riding. Mutton Bustin’ entries will be taken from 5:30 to 6:00 pm. All Mutton Bustin’ contestants must weigh 50 pounds or less to ride.
Wednesday bright and early the animals come to town! “4-H Animals will weigh-in starting at 7:30 am with Swine, 9:00 am sheep and goats and small animals, then at 10:00 am beef,” stated Melissa Mracek, Sheridan County Extension Educator. That afternoon starts will the Rabbit and Poultry show in the 4-H show ring at 1:00 pm, the family fun night kicks off at 5:00 pm, the clover bud parade at 5:30 pm, and finishes the evening with the Businessman Showmanship at 7:00 pm. The Businessman Showmanship will be held during the Family Fun Night. “This year the business participants will show swine animals,” said Mracek. This event provides an excellent opportunity for youth to interact with community members.
Thursday, July 23 will start with the Legacy Coop Breakfast and the Swine Show starting at 7:30 am. PRCA slack takes to McGinley arena at 9:00 am. Those vying for the title of Miss Rodeo Sheridan County start their interviews and speeches at 10:30 am at the Gordon Methodist Church. The Sheep show will start at 1:00 pm. followed by the Goat show in the 4-H show ring. At 5:00 pm the small animal round robin showmanship will take place, followed by the livestock judging contest at 6:00 pm. Thursday also brings the first night of the tailgate party and PRCA Rodeo to McGinley Arena. That evening the Four Aces will be playing at the Gordon Country Club from 8pm to 12 am.
Friday, July 24 kicks off with donuts courtesy of Security First Bank of Rushville, and all the beef show classes. Beef show classes start with Dairy, then Breeding Beef, followed by Beef showmanship, and finally the Market Beef show. The day also marks the last of the PRCA slack competitions, and the second night of tailgate parties and PRCA Rodeo action. The day ends with the teen dance from 9pm to 12 am.
Saturday, July 25 is a jampacked, family-friendly day. “We, along with the 4-H Council and 4-H Extension Board have worked really hard to make this day something where people can come in for the cowboy breakfast at 7:00 am in the park, find a good spot on main street to watch the parade at 10:00 am, and then head out to the fairgrounds to take in the fair. Walk through the exhibits, enjoy the fair food, look at the Stallions, take in the cake, cookie jar, and animal auctions, and finish your evening at the PRCA Rodeo,” explained Lindsey. “We hope people take it all in!”
Back this year is the Stallion Showcase on Saturday, July 25 from 1:00 to 7:00 pm. “Sheridan County has a lot of great Stallions, and we wanted a way to allow the public to see them, get information, and if interested purchase a breeding for their mares,” explained Lindsey. “Stallions will be set up to the South of the dance hall. Stallion owners will be set up with information and willing to answer any questions you may have. We’ve got a lot of great Stallions signed up!”
The buyer meal takes place at straight up noon followed by the cake and cookie jar auction at 1:00 pm. Following the sale of the cookie jars, the livestock sale begins.
Fairgoers can then make their way down the hill to McGinley Arena for the final night of tailgate and PRCA Rodeo action.
Ending the star-spangled week is the Jim Rice Band playing at the conclusion of the PRCA Rodeo in the arena.
Again, this year no outside coolers will be brought into the fairgrounds. Sheridan County Ag Society President Scott Lindsey explains “we have had no issues, and that is a big testament to the great people of Sheridan County. They listened and respected our decision. We want this to be a family event, and safety is our concern.” Again, there will be designated areas for beer and liquor sales, but no outside liquor will be allowed. “Fuel Grill will be set up to sell beer, and mixed drinks on the grounds,” stated Lindsey, “We have moved the gates to allow for better flow from the ticket office. Tickets in the form of a wristband will be purchased from the ticket office, no sales will be done at the gates. There is only one place to buy tickets now. Hopefully this makes for better flow of traffic.” Drinks and wristbands will be sold at the beer garden located inside the gates.
“We are excited for this year! A lot of planning, a lot of organizing and hard work has gone into making this a great experience for everyone. We hope there’s something for everyone!” stated Lindsey.
For a full schedule of events and information about tickets or contests visit the fair website at www. sheridancountyfairandrodeo. com.