July 20th thru July 25th

The 2024 O’Brien County Fair is just around the corner, and we will be celebrating our 100th anniversary! The 2024 Fair kicks off on Friday, July 19th with the 4H non-livestock judging at the Open Class Bldg at 9:00 at the fairgrounds.
The open craft exhibits can be brought to the fair on Saturday, with registration starting at 7:30. Anyone from O’Brien Co. is encouraged to exhibit and the entry fee is only $1.00 per exhibitor! The special class in photography this year is “Then & Now.” This must be an 8x 10” recent photo with no matting or frame. Bring along your original picture that was taken as the “before” picture Cupcakes is the feature open class baking division this year, with the classes being chocolate, any other than chocolate, and a “decorated” cupcake especially for the 100th Anniversary. On Saturday evening, the Primghar JC’s will have their 5th race of the season, with the flag to drop at 7 p.m.
On Sunday morning there will be a worship service, hosted by the Grace congregation from Hartley at 10 a.m. In the afternoon, the Horse Show will be held, beginning at 1 p.m. Dog show will be at 4:30. The “Browns” from LeMars will provide a concert on the Wayne Maass Memorial stage at 7 p.m. This family offers great music, everything from jazz to country and everything inbetween. What a great way to kick off the fair!
On Monday evening, the O’Brien Co Fair Board welcomes the Bill Riley Talent show to the Wayne Maass Memorial stage at 6 p.m. There will be 2 divisions, sprout and senior, with the winners advancing to compete at the Iowa State Fair. We will recognize the past O’Brien Co. Fair Queens and Kings prior to the 2024 coronation.
On Tuesday morning, you are welcomed to enjoy a pancake breakfast, prepared by the O’Brien Co. 4-H Foundation, beginning at 7 a.m. A spelling contest is scheduled to be held at 10 a.m. at the Maass stage area. You may register for this event that morning, starting at 9:30. Kayla James will do a Juggling Stage Show at 2 p.m. There will be Ag Olympics later that afternoon, as well as a Skid Loader Rodeo at 4:30 p.m. At 5:00 p.m. the Pedal Tractor Pull will begin registration, sponsored again by the NW Iowa REC, with the pull starting at 5:30.
Tuesday evening, “She’s With Us” musical group, featuring Iesha Toft, from Royal, will entertain us on the stage, beginning at 7 p.m.
On Wednesday, July 24th, the fair board is hosting a Cinnamon Roll Contest in the Open Class Craft bldg., with registration starting at 11 a.m., with a 1 p.m. start. The O’Brien County Farm Bureau is providing prize money. Kayla James will again entertain at 2 p.m. The Share the Fun acts by 4-H members will start at 5 p.m., followed by the style show and project awards. ATV races will be held at 6 p.m. and the JCs will have another figure-8 race at 7:30, with fireworks to follow. This will make for a busy night of action!
Thursday, July 25th, the livestock auction will be held. A Ribbon auction is also held for those 4-Hers who do not participate in the livestock projects.
The petting zoo will be open daily at 10 a.m. The “fair train” will be providing rides for the kids throughout each day.
The various livestock shows begin with the horse show on Sunday afternoon. Monday, beginning with the sheep at 12 noon, with goat and dairy shows to follow. Also Monday morning at 9 a.m. is the Rabbit Show, followed by the Poultry Show at 12;30 p.m. On Tuesday at 8 a.m. is the beef show with the Clover Kids bottle bucket calves to show at 3 p.m. followed by the 4H Bottle Bucket show. The swine show is set to begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, with a “Premier Champion” in showmanship of all species to be awarded in the early afternoon. In celebration of this years anniversary, there will be an “Alumni” showmanship show following each species show, with sign up for that event to be that same day.
For fair exhibit details, updates and a complete fair schedule, as well as times for the livestock shows throughout the week, can be found on the O’Brien Co. Fair website – obriencountyfairiowa.com and on the O’Brien County Fair Facebook page.
While at the fair, please take time to have lunch or supper at the food court. The many food vendors provide a great variety of food choices to choose from. Make plans to attend this year’s O’Brien County Fair! Your attendance and support of O’Brien County youth is greatly appreciated! As Bill Riley, Sr. would say – “We’ll see you at the fair!”