Saunders County Fair to kick off

One of the area's most vibrant county fairs starts Saturday with dog and cat shows.

However, the Saunders County Fair in Wahoo is much more than that and begins in earnest Monday.

“I think we've kind of updated everything all around with a little touch,” said Dennis Stuchlik, a

21-year fair board veteran. “But the events haven't changed.”

That includes a new open air picnic shelter near the concession area. There are a total of eight tables in the shelter with two of them being larger, handicapped accessible tables.

“We've got lots and lots of livestock coming in,” Stuchlik said. “It's on the upswing.”

The annual parade through town will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday and the City Park will host a barbecue from 4-8 p.m.

The county-owned carnival rides will be open Tuesday through Aug. 5 and the tractor pull is scheduled for Sunday.

“We've added classes to the tractor pull,” Stuchlik said. “We're going to have a bunch.”

Figure eight competition takes place Aug. 3 and a pickup and semi pull is scheduled for Aug. 4.

“We've got one heck of a fair,” Stuchlik said. “Attendance, everything is going up. We're pretty proud of it, but it's a lot of work.”

Last year the fair board constructed a building to house the petting zoo that runs Wednesday through Saturday.

For more information and a schedule, visit http://saunders.unl.edu/websaunders/4h/fairbook/FairSched.htm.

Saunders County Fair

July 28

9 a.m.: 4-H dog show, Open Air Pavilion.

11 a.m.: 4-H cat show, Gayle Hattan Pavilion.

July 29

4 p.m.: Farm Tractor - Bush Pullers.

July 30

6 p.m.: 4-H shooting sports competition, Gayle Hattan Pavilion.

7 p.m.: Public fashion revue, Open Air Pavilion.

July 31

9 a.m.: 4-H horse show - Judging halter classes, showmanship, Rodeo Arena

TBA that day: 4-H horse show - Performance, walk-trot, pleasure, western riding, horsemanship, Rodeo Arena.

Aug. 1

8 a.m.: ATV safety driving contest, Gayle Hattan Pavilion.

Noon: 4-H tractor driving contest (or immediately following ATV), Gayle Hattan Pavilion.

4 p.m.: 4-H bicycle safety contest, meet at the Gayle Hattan Pavilion.

5 p.m.: 4-H building open to the public.

6:30 p.m.: 4-H and FFA hay hauling contest, Gayle Hattan Pavilion.

7 p.m.: Accordion jamboree.

Aug. 2

8:30 a.m.: 4-H sheep lead class, Gayle Hattan Pavilion.

9 a.m. to 9 p.m.: 4-H building open to the public.

9 a.m. (or 15 minutes after conclusion of lead class): 4-H sheep show - Judging breeding and market, Gayle Hattan Pavilion.

Noon: Critique judging 4-H poultry, Open Air Pavilion.

1 p.m.: 4-H meat, dairy, pygmy and angora goat show, Gayle Hattan Pavilion (second ring).

6 p.m.: Saunders County Fair Parade, downtown Wahoo.

Aug. 3

8:30 a.m.: 4-H rabbit show - judging, Open Air Pavilion.

9 a.m.: 4-H and FFA beef show - judging breeding and market, Gayle Hattan Pavilion.

9 a.m. to 9 p.m.: 4-H building open to the public.

9 a.m.: Ice cream rolling, open class patio.

Noon: 4-H dairy show, Gayle Hattan Pavilion.

7 p.m.: Figure 8 Races.

Aug. 4

8:30 a.m.: 4-H swine show - judging, Gayle Hattan Pavilion.

9 a.m. to 9 p.m.: 4-H building open to the public.

9 a.m.: 4-H small pet show, Open Air Pavilion.

10:30 a.m. (or after small pet show): Clover Kids show, Open Air Pavilion.

3 p.m. (or half-hour following swine show): Livestock round robin showmanship, Gayle Hattan Pavilion.

5 p.m.: Pickup pulls.

Aug. 5

1 p.m.: Demolition derby.

4 p.m.: 4-H barbecue.

4 p.m.: Meritorious Award Recognition, Gayle Hattan Pavilion.

1-5:30 p.m.: 4-H building open to the public.

5 p.m.: Livestock sale, Gayle Hattan Pavilion.