NIOBRARA COUNTY – The Niobrara County Fair returns to the fairgrounds in Lusk from July 24 to 31 this year, with something for everyone, despite restrictions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The theme of this year’s fair is “Disco Days and Fair Nights.” 

Some of the highlights of the week will include:

• The Stray Gather Contest – 7 p.m. July 24.

• The fourth annual 4-H Council Color Walk/Run – 7 a.m. July 25.

• Eastern Wyoming Ranch Rodeo – July 26; Calcutta at 4:30 p.m. and Rodeo at 5 p.m.

• Gymkhana – 9 a.m. July 26.

• 4-H Style Revue – 7 p.m. July 27.

• Niobrara Roping Club Team Roping – July 28; enter at 6 and rope at 7 p.m.

• Disco Party – 3 p.m. July 29; featuring fun games, activities and snacks for kids of all ages.

• Pet Show – 3 p.m. July 30; No rabbits will be allowed at this year’s Pet Show or on the Fairgrounds due to Rabbit Hemorrhagic Fever that is prevalent this year.

• Junior Livestock Sale – 6:30 p.m. July 30.

• Parade – 5 p.m. July 31.

• Ag Olympics 7 p.m. July 31.

One of the biggest changes this year moved the Niobrara County Fair Book and all entry forms online at: www.facebook.com/NiobraraCountyFair or wyoextension.org/niobraracounty/niobrara-county-fair/. Online entries are encouraged for 4-H members, FFA members and all Open Class exhibitors. 

 If you do not have access to a computer or need help completing your entry forms there is a Fair Book, entry forms and assistance available at the Niobrara Senior Center, Lickety Stitch Quilt Shop, the Chamber Office and the Niobrara County Extension Office. If you have any entry questions, please call the Extension Office at (307) 334-3534.

County 4-H Clubs and FFA Chapter will host their Basket Silent Auction again this year. Bidding opens at 4 p.m., Wednesday, July 29 and close at 6 p.m., Friday, July 31. The baskets will feature a huge variety of exciting items. The winners of the basket auction will be announced during the Ag Olympics on Friday evening.

The featured exhibit at this year’s Fair will be the Quarantine Creations Division. Prizes will be awarded in three classes: Junior Division, Senior Division and Professional Division. Items created during the Covid-19 quarantine and pandemic are eligible to be entered. 

Fair week is a great time to enjoy all of the delicious food that will be served. The Niobrara County Homemakers and the Niobrara County Search and Rescue will be serving tasty lunch menus Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. daily, featuring the time-honored tradition of homemade pies. The Lusk ROCS group will be sponsoring free breakfasts on both Monday and Wednesday mornings from 6:30 t 8 a.m. Starting Tuesday evening, free barbeques will be served to all fair goers.
Tuesday evening’s barbeque will be sponsored and served by Bloomers and Hickory Creek Catering, starting at 6p.m. The Ron Lund Memorial Barbeque will be served on Wednesday starting at 5 p.m., sponsored by Wavy 7 Livestock, Dustin Cushman, Lusk Masons of Harmony Lodge 24, Pontarolo Construction, Jim and Amy Pontarolo, and Hiway Super Service, Gene and Claudia Bartow. 

 On Thursday morning starting at 6:30 a.m., Rancher’s Feed and Supply will host free breakfast for all early risers. On Thursday evening Clark and Associates, the Insurance Corner and Rancher’s Feed and Supply will sponsor the Livestock Sale Barbeque at 5 p.m. Then on Friday evening the Niobrara Electric Association is the barbeque sponsor, with Angry Irishman and the Niobrara County Cattlewomen cooking and serving the meal. 

The County Fair will also feature youth goat, sheep, beef, swine, dog and horse shows, plus 4-H, FFA and Open Class Exhibits and various community booths in the Exhibit Hall. A full schedule of activities will e posted on the Niobrara County Fair Facebook page.

For questions on how to get involved or process for entering an exhibit, check out the Niobrara County Fair Book, call the Niobrara County Extension Office at (307)334-3534 or email to niobraracounty@uwyo.edu. 

Please keep referring to the Niobrara County Fair Facebook page and the county fair ad in a later addition of the Lusk Herald for the most current schedule and for any changes that have had to be made for this year’s county fair.

Even with social distancing requirements, the fair offers opportunities to visit with neighbors and friends, attend livestock shows, participate in or be a spectator at one of the many special events, eat some great tasting food and just enjoy a week of celebrating our great county and community.