BLOOMFIELD – Attendees of the demolition derby and Northeast Nebraska Tractor Pull at the 2024 Knox County Fair will have shade under which to sit and enjoy the activities.
A new 32-by-255-foot open-front steel shelter structure has been built this year to provide protection for people sitting on bleachers from the hot summer sun and any rain that falls from the sky.
“Our tractor pull is becoming kind of a bigger event,” said Knox County Fair Board treasurer Chris Carlson, rural Wausa. “Last year was our first year of the demolition derby. That had a huge, huge crowd, and a lot of people coming back, so we felt like we needed to build something back there to create some shade and shelter.”
The shelter structure is open on all sides and has a concrete floor on which the bleachers sit.
“That is a really nice addition to the fair,” Carlson said. “It helped save us a lot of time; now everything’s permanent so it’s a lot less setup from our side.”
Other entertaining events at the 141st edition of the fair, scheduled for Aug. 7-11, include:
- The annual Bull-A-Rama at 7 p.m., Aug. 8.
- Country music artist Phil Vassar at 8 p.m., Aug. 9, at the grandstand.
- The demolition derby at noon, Aug. 10.
- Country music singer-songwriter Larry Fleet, 8 p.m., Aug. 10, at the grandstand.
- The Northeast Nebraska Tractor Pull at 1 p.m., Aug. 11, at the tractor pull track.
- The Kids Pedal Pull, 2 p.m., Aug. 11, by the fair secretary’s office, with registration starting at 1:30 p.m.
This year’s fair again will feature a free evening of fellowship and music on its first day during the second-year event called “Jesus Rocks in Knox,” scheduled for Aug. 7.
The following groups of various praise and worship musicians from the region will perform at the fairgrounds: The Faith Keepers at 5:30 p.m., followed by John Hoffman and the Rev. Dr. Jacob Bobby at 6:30 p.m., and Just The Messengers and the Prodigal Sons at 7 p.m.
Freewill offerings will be welcome. The food stand will be available. People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
If there is inclement weather, the event would be held inside the American Legion Pavilion at the fairgrounds.
As far as 4-H and FFA events during the fair, Aug. 7, will feature the 4-H/FFA Horse Show starting at 8:30 a.m., and the 4-H BB Gun, Air Rifle and Air Pistol contests beginning at 3 p.m. From 4-8 p.m., 4-H and Open Class exhibits may be entered, while interview judging of Clover Kid exhibits will take place during the same time.
On Aug. 8, the Livestock Judging Contest will be held at 12:30 p.m., the 4-H and FFA Dairy Goat and Dairy shows will happen at 1:30 p.m., the 4-H/ FFA Cat Show has been set for 2:30 p.m., and the 4-H/FFA Dog Show has been scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
At 10 a.m., Aug. 9, the 4-H Clover Kid Bucket Calf Show will begin, followed by the 4-H Bucket Calf Show. At 1 p.m., 4-H Feeder Calf Showmanship, the 4-H Feeder Calf Show and the 4-H Cow/Calf Show will be held, followed by the same kind of events for FFA. For 4-H and FFA events on Aug. 10, the various rabbit shows will start at 8 a.m. That is also the same time all of the various swine shows will begin. The various sheep and goat shows will start at 1 p.m.
On Aug. 11, the 4-H Companion Animal (Pet) Show will begin at 8 a.m. For 4-H and FFA, the various poultry shows also are set to start at 8 a.m., while the various beef shows will begin at 9 a.m. The 4-H Round Robin Contest will follow the last show of the day.
This year’s fair is dedicated to the family of the late Gary Wagner, a past fair board member, and his wife, Kathy, Creighton.
For a full schedule of fair activities, people may go online to www. knoxcountyfairgrounds.com.
