This year’s theme was “Barn” in the USA. A take on the born, and a nod to the Olympics all of this year’s booth ex- hibits and barn decorations really got into the theme. Everything from min- iature barns to flag bunting and flash- ing red and blue lights could be found around the fair grounds.

Running Friday, July 26 to Saturday August 3 the fair includes activities for exhibitors visitors. The fair kicked off with the static exhibit (non livestock) judging and ranch rodeo. Saturday saw the 4-H Council 5K Color Run followed by the Gymkhana on Sunday.

Livestock contests started bright and early on Monday with the horse show on the lawn and in the arena. Lusk ROCS served a free breakfast for exhibitors and visitors. That evening a public re- ception and style revue was held for the fabric and fashion members along with a junior leader presentation. A group of seven youth from Niobrara county had traveled to Hawaii earlier in the summer for an agritour trip of farms, ranch- es and Hawaii’s only county fair.

Tuesday the last of the livestock made it to the grounds and the poultry and rabbit shows produce some grand cham- pions. The highest number of poultry project members in ten years were there with 9 market pens and several breeds shown.

The cow/calf contest interviews were held with seven members and commu- nity members enjoyed beef and noodles from Bloomers and Hickory Creek Ca- tering at the first of several free commu- nity dinners.

Though temps were in the nineties the Fairgrounds Foundation corn hole tour- nament had a good turnout and Liam Zerbe took home the grand champion title in the mullet and mustache contest.

Wednesday morning saw another free breakfast served by the Fairgrounds Foundation board and a busy barn full of sheep and goat exhibitors get- ting ready for the show. The Harmony Lodge24 and Gene and Claudia Bartow sponsored the Ron Lund Memorial BBQ that evening with a free meal for the community. Many then headed over to the pig show with the ever-popular pee-wee hog stompers.

Thursday opened with the final free breakfast from Ranchers’ Feed and Supply with beef exhibitors cued up at 9:00 a.m. The show concluded and that even was the Junior Livestock sale free BBQ and auction. Thanks to generous supporters not a kid was left out in the cold. Over 150 registered buyers and over $250,000 were invested in the local youth this year. Several of the animals purchased were donated to the school lunch program or the senior center. This year’s fair to fork donor was Miranda Smith. Smith was selected to donate a 4-H hog to the Wyoming program that will seem meat given to the Niobrara Se- nior Center.

Junior leaders raising money to travel next summer to Italy/France and Fin- land sold fresh shaken lemonades and cotton candy at many of the week’s events. Youth then dance to new and old classics during the 4-H dance in the Oneok Pavilion.

The final day of shows started with the dog agility contest at 8:00 a.m. followed by dog showmanship, confor- mation and obedience. At 10:30 a.m. all the champion and reserve champion livestock exhibitors competed for over- all champion and reserve in the round robin livestock showing contest. Ex- hibitors showed market goats, market lambs, market hogs, market beef, mar- ket poultry and horses in a rotation. Youth also had their market animals run through the ultrasound chute to find out which animals will ultimately come out on top in rib-eye size.

Friday evening experienced some ex- citement when the power went out all over Lusk just as the Ag Olympics were getting underway in the grandstands but the show must go on and some quick thinking found a portable speaker sys- tem and the Niobrara Olympics 2024 were a triumphant display of athleti- cism, good humor and team work.

This year’s theme brought out the patriotism of all those in attendance. Every event and show started with the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem was sung at the livestock auc- tion. The fair board, livestock market sale committee, fair staff and exhibitors would like to thank the community for another great year at the fair. Fair re- sults will be in the August 14 Lusk Her- ald along with more pictures.