The start of July means it’s time for another Nemaha County Fair.
The 2012 fair is Thursday-Sunday, July 12-15, at the fairgrounds on the east side of Highway 75 in Auburn. Entries and judging are Monday-Wednesday, July 9-11.
Some pre-fair contests have already occurred.
The fair includes 4-H and open class competition. Except for livestock, open class competition is open to Southeast Nebraskans of all ages.
“Just Cause” is theme for the Friday-Saturday, July 13-14, parades. Both are at 6 p.m.
Thomas D Thomas shows are on the Midway all four days. July 12 at night, if you buy one wristband, you get one free. From 1-5 p.m. July 15, children ages 12 and under receive discounted wristbands.
The 4-H Food Stand opens at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 11; and at 7:30 a.m. July 12-15. Members of the Johnsonites and BU Stockraisers are volunteering this year.
The Auburn Band Boosters’ food stand will open at 6 a.m. July 12-15. Pancakes, biscuits and gravy will be served for breakfast. Lunch and dinner will also be served.
The 4-H Building is open to the public July 12-14 from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. and July 15 from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. The commercial building is open to the public July 12 from 5-10 p.m.; July 13-14 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and July 15 from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Pre-Fair Days, Monday-Wednesday, July 9 to 11
Monday, July 9, late afternoon into the early evening is interview judging of 4-H home economics and general area exhibits except horticulture. Clover Kid projects will also be entered and interviewed. Clover Kids provides age-appropriate activities for youth ages 5-7 as of Jan. 1, 2012.
Tuesday, July 10, most open class home economics and general areas exhibits will be entered at the 4-H building. Entries will be late afternoon into mid-evening. Horticulture exhibits will be entered the morning of July 12.
Open class judging is all day July 11. At 5 p.m. the fairgrounds will be open for all livestock. Livestock will be weighed as unloaded. All 4-H and open class livestock must be in place by 10 p.m. Open class space availability is at the fair superintendents’ discretion.
Thursday Highlights
The morning brings the open class and 4-H horse show; and judging of 4-H horticulture and beautiful buckets. In the afternoon is the 4-H and open class sheep and meat goat shows, 4-H and open class rabbit show, and 4-H shooting sports/archery.
Friday Highlights
The 4-H and open class swine, and dairy goat/pygmy goat shows are in the morning. The 4-H shooting sports and BB gun contest start in the morning and continue into the afternoon.  The afternoon brings the 4-H and open class poultry show.
Pioneer Farm Award
Gary and LuAnn Bray, Johnson, will be honored July 13 at 8 p.m. for more than a century of continuous family farm ownership.
Saturday Highlights
Starting the day is the bucket calf and beef show. The morning also includes a 4-H recruitment activity, Clover Kid pet show and weather permitting, a rocket launch.
Photos of top 4-H award winners will be taken in the early afternoon. The afternoon also includes horse and livestock judging contests and antique appraisals.
Sunday Highlights
Late in the afternoon is presentation of the McIninch Judging Trophy and 4-H Herdsmanship Awards, followed by the 4-H livestock premium sale.
At 7:30 p.m., all 4-H, open class and commercial exhibits are released. The Nemaha County Agricultural Society is not responsible for exhibits or items not picked up.
Woodcarvers
The Log Hoggers will sculpt tree trunks into art pieces with their chain saws Friday-Sunday, July 13-15. Demonstrations are at 11 a.m.; and at 2, 4 and 7 p.m. Twelve carvings will be auctioned July 15 at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds from the auction will help support fair activities.
Grandstand Shows
Travis Martin of Kansas City, Mo. will perform Midwestern blended country music at 8 p.m. July 13. His songs include Saving It Up for a Saturday Night, When God Made Me and It All Comes Back to Me.
From 9 p.m. July 14 to 12:30 a.m. July 15 three tribute bands will perform.
Paradise City will salute Guns N’ Roses. Attendees will relive the Appetite For Destruction era through the Use Your Illusion era.
Silver Bullet will salute Bob Seger, whose hits included Night Moves, Turn the Page and Like a Rock.
Dead or Alive will salute Bon Jovi, whose hits included Slippery When Wet and Have a Nice Day.
Tractor Pulls
The Little Tuggers Tractor Pull for children ages 4-12 is July 14. Registration is at 7 p.m. with the pull at 7:15 p.m.
The Huff-n-Puff Pullers of Tecumseh garden tractor pull is July 15 at 12:30 p.m.
Clean-Up After Fair
Clean-up at the fairgrounds is Monday morning, July 16.
State Fair, Ak-Sar-Ben
Wednesday, July 25, State Fair livestock, dog, poultry, rabbit, companion animal, fashion show, presentations and contest entries are due at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension office. State Fair static exhibits, including foods and horticulture, are due at the Extension office by noon Aug. 21.
State Fair is Friday, Aug. 24-Monday, Sept. 3, at Fonner Park, Grand Island.
The Ak-Sar-Ben Horse Show is Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 15-16, at the Lancaster Event Center.
The Ak-Sar-Ben Stock Show is Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 27-30, at CenturyLink Center, Omaha. It includes 4-H’ers from Nebraska and nine other states.