The fair theme this year for the 141st Sheridan County Fair & Rodeo is “Sew It, Grow It, Show It.”
Grand Marshals for the Fair are Jim & Marchelle Paul. “Marchelle is very community minded and works with us whenever needed through the EMT squad and she is so very much appreciated,” stated Scott Lindsey, Sheridan County Agricultural Society President.
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 and Grand Marshall just like years past.
Back for the fifth 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 p.m. each night. “We had a great response to our 8 p.m. rodeo time last year and felt that it worked well for everyone,” stated Lindsey. Back also this year will be the arena funny man and announcer. “We will have Danger Dave Whitmoyer as our Clown and PRCA Barrelman, and the announcer is Garrison Panzer back again this year. We are excited about both gentlemen coming back to Sheridan County,” he added.
Back again this year will be the Sheridan County Fair and Rodeo Tailgate Party starting at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday prior to the PRCA rodeo. “Last year we 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, fireman races, chicken barrel racing, and a mom race,” explained Lindsey. Sign up information, and further details will be coming soon!
Entertainment will play on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night throughout Gordon. Friday & Saturday nights dance to the sounds of the Jim Rice Band in McGinley arena following the PRCA Rodeos.
Several schedule changes have been made this year in an attempt to consolidate the schedule into one week. 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 18. Activities begin at 9:00 a.m. with the public reviews at 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 19 kicks off the 4-H horse show. Check-in begins at 7:00 a.m. with the show starting at 8:00 am at McGinley Arena.
The Junior Rodeo will be Sunday, July 20. 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.
If your child is interested in participating in any of the Junior Rodeo events this year, get them registered online by July 13. 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 20 is the color run at 4:00 p.m. and scavenger hunt at 6:30 p.m. “Participants will meet at McGinley Arena for the start of both events,” stated Lindsey.
Monday, July 21 the cats and dogs come to town! The cat show will kick off at 2:00 p.m. followed by the dog show.
Tuesday, July 22 all of the static and open class projects will be judged. Static judging will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Open Class check in will be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. That evening is the crowd favorite mutton bustin’, Kevin Kruger Memorial Ranch event and 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 Kevin Kruger Memorial Ranch Event and Ranch Bronc Riding. One change this year is the schedule. “We will take Mutton Bustin’ entries from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. We will roll right into our Ranch Event and Ranch Bronc Riding right after the mutton bustin’ is over. So anyone interested in vying for your favorite ranch team or ranch bronc rider will need to be present at the stage at 5:00 p.m.,” said Lindsey.
Wednesday bright and early the animals come to town! “4-H Animals will weigh-in starting at 7:30 a.m. with Swine, 9:00 a.m. sheep and goats and small animals, then at 10:00 a.m. 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 p.m., the clover bud parade at 5:30 p.m., and finishes the evening with the Businessman Showmanship at 7:00 p.m. The Businessman Showmanship will be held during the Family Fun Night. “This year the business participants will show beef animals,” said Mracek. This event provides an excellent opportunity for youth to interact with community members.
Thursday, July 24 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 a.m. The Sheep show will start at 1:00 p.m. followed by the Goat show in the 4-H show ring. At 5:00 p.m. the small animal round robin showmanship will take place, followed by the livestock judging contest at 6:00 p.m. Thursday also brings the first night of the tailgate party and PRCA Rodeo to McGinley Arena.
Friday, July 25 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 start of the Miss Sheridan County Fair and Rodeo Queen competition.
Saturday, July 26 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 a.m. in the park, find a good spot on main street to watch the parade at 10:00 a.m., 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 again this year will be the inflatables on the Legion baseball field. “Exciting this year the inflatables and activities at the Kiwanis ball field will be FREE for all children thanks to a generous donation from EVEA Farms Management, LLC and the Sheridan County Ag Society. The activities will be open on Saturday, July 26 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. We will have a bounce house, a roller roper, mechanical bull, and trampoline. There’s something for everyone,” stated Lindsey.
New this year is the Stallion Showcase on Saturday, July 26 from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. “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!”
Again, this year no outside coolers will be brought into the fairgrounds. Sheridan County Ag Society President Scott Lindsey explains “we had no issues last year, 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. “Just like last year, Fuel Grill will be set up to sell beer, and mixed drinks on the grounds,” stated Lindsey. 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.