Every year, the Colfax County Fair carries on the traditional activities patrons love at the fairgrounds in Leigh while bringing a new batch of eager animal showmen to the stage to show their skills.
This year's events start Thursday, July 16, with the 4-H sheep show at 8 a.m., followed by the FFA sheep show and at 9 a.m., the 4-H horse show. At noon, or whenever the sheep show concludes, 4-H and FFA dairy and dairy goats take the spotlight, followed 4-H and FFA goats.
At 6:45 p.m. Thursday, 4-H will hold its annual fashion revue, followed by a performance from Steps at Tiffany's at 7 p.m. and open 4-D barrel racing in the horse arena at 7:30 p.m.
A row of Clover Kids await judge Shannon Ahlman's questioning during the rabbit show at the Colfax County Fair in 2025. The rabbit show this year will be held at 9 a.m. on July 17, 2026.
Friday, things kick off bright and early at 7:30 a.m. with 4-H beef showmanship, bucket calf, feeder calf, cow/calf, breeding beef, market beef and pen-of-three. FFA beef showmanship, feeder calf, breeding beef and market beef will follow 4-H.
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The antique tractor display will be set up all day starting at 8 a.m. Friday near the entrance as usual. At 9 a.m., small animals and cats will be judged, followed by 4-H rabbit showmanship and rabbit show. The 4-H, open-class, FFA and commercial buildings will be open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Open riding is available in the horse arena Between noon and 3 p.m. and vendors will be set up under the pavilion alongside a wine and beer tasting by the Schuyler Area Chamber of Commerce from 5-10 p.m.. The wine and beer tasting has a $20 entrance fee. The Marksmen IV will be playing live music to accompany.
At 6 p.m., pee-wee showmen will test their mettle. At 7 p.m., horse enthusiasts can catch some team roping at the arena and loud pipes enthusiasts can catch the Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pull, capping off the night with Nebraska-based pop-punk band, Audation at 9:30 p.m.
Among the many cobs on display, Mike Bunn's corn was named 1st in the open class vegetable category at the 2025 Colfax County Fair.
Saturday, bacon and eggs start the morning off at 8 a.m., along with 4-H and FFA swine shows and 4-H poultry showmanship and show. After the swine show, champions will make their way to the 4-H and FFA round robin showmanship competitions. At 1:30 p.m., the tractor olympics begin, followed by the Larry Wietfield Memorial Truck Show and Shine. Attendees can hop over to the frog races at 4 p.m. and the kiddie tractor pull at 5 p.m.
The Mark Vyhlidal Polka Band will provide early musical entertainment starting at 6 p.m., followed by Forgotten Highway at 7:30 p.m., then Casey Donahew at 9:30 p.m.
Donahew has logged 13 No. 1 hits in his 20-year career, and his song "Stockyards" is the official city song of his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas.
Shannon Ahlman talks to Kassidy and Scarlett Burenheide about their turtles in the Clover Kids small animal show at the Colfax County Fair on July 18, 2025.
Activities conclude Sunday with the Colfax County Fair tractor ride registration and assembly at 7:30 a.m., followed by a 10:30 a.m. worship service.
Bingo runs from 1-4 p.m. in the commercial building, sponsored by the Columbus Area United Way. Everything ends at 4:30 p.m. with the annual parade, followed by presentation of trophies and Aksarben Farm Family awards.
Throughout the week, U-HOP Entertainment will have inflatables available from 5-10 p.m. Thursday and 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
