It's the most anticipated week of the year for our area kids AND parents!

Started in Afton, Iowa, in 1953, the Union County Fair has been Raising Traditions by encouraging hard work, cultivating leaders, and providing a week's worth of entertainment for all generations.

Schedule :

June 24, 2023

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Communications, Wardrobe clothing & Table Setting Events, Creston High School

July 15 - 16, 2023

9:00 AM Fair Cleanup, Pen Set Up, Building Set Up Exhibitors Pick Up Fair Packets

July 16, 2023

3:00 PM Union County Fair Queen & Princess judging at the UCDA Roundhouse (closed to the general public)

July 18, 2023

6:00 PM Kickball Tournament, Cookout & Outdoor Movie sponsored by Union County Youth Council, Fairgrounds

July 19, 2023

Appointment Only Large Item Static Exhibit Check in, 4-H Bldg

July 20, 2023

8:00 AM Livestock may enter the fairgrounds

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Check in Swine (Vet Check required before unloading), United Farmers Co-op Sheep, Goat, Swine Barn

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM Check in & Test Poultry & Market Broilers, Small Animal Barn

8:15 AM Static Judges Meeting, 4-H Building

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM Static Exhibit Judging, 4-H Bldg by 4-H Club

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Check in Rabbits, Small Animal Barn

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Check in Horses, Horse Barn

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM State Fair Selection - 4-H Building CLOSED

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Clover Kid Static Exhibit Check in, presentations and interviews, ISSB Show Arena (projects will be delivered to the Static Building by the Extension Staff after the show)

4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Check in Sheep & Goats, United Farmers Co-op Sheep, Goat, & Swine Barn

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Check in Open Class Textiles & Arts, Commercial Building Check in Open Class Canned Goods, Commercial Building

5:00 PM Photo taken for State Selected Exhibitors, 4-H Bldg

5:30 PM Flag Raising

6:00 PM Queen’s Coronation, ISSB Show Arena

7:00 PM Swine Exhibitor Meeting, United Farmers Co-op Sheep, Goat, & Swine Barn

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Live Music & Queen’s Karaoke, Grand Pavilion

July 21, 2023

7:00 AM Grounds Clean Up (New Hope Boosters, 3 Mile Sharp Shooters)

7:00 AM Check in Beef Starting with Pens of 3 & Carcass Beef. Ultra Sounding for Beef, FNB Cattle Barn & Scale House. Ultra Sounding for Sheep, United Farmers Co-op Sheep, Goat, & Swine Barn

8:00 AM 4-H/FFA Broiler & Poultry Show, Small Animal Barn

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM Check in Open Class: Agriculture, Floriculture, Textiles, Arts & Crafts & Canned Goods, Commercial Building

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Check in Open Class Baked Goods Register for Peach Pie Contest, Commercial Building

12:00 PM Judging Open Class Arts, 4-H Building

12:00 PM Check in Dogs Followed by the Dog Show, ISSB Show Arena

1:00 PM Judging Open Class: Agriculture, Floriculture, Canned Goods, Baked Goods & Textiles Judging Peach Pie Contest, Commercial Building

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Car & Tractor Show, East of the Grandstand

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Live Music, East of the Grandstand

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Check in Open Class: Genealogy & History

2:00 PM Open Class Bake Sale, Commercial Building

5:00 PM Fridays After Five, Grand Pavilion

6:00 PM Judging Open Class: Genealogy & History

7:00 PM UC Buddies Show, ISSB Show Arena

7:00 PM 4-H/FFA Horse Speed Events, Horse Arena

7:00 PM Free Music Concert, Grandstand

July 22, 2023 - Kid’s Day

Sponsored by Greater Regional Health all activities and locations are subject to change

7:00 AM Grounds Clean Up (Sand Creek Pioneers)

8:00 AM Kid’s Day Breakfast, Shelter House

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Photo Booth

8:00 AM 4-H/FFA Swine Show, ISSB Show Arena

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Arts & Crafts, Shelter House

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Curl Ribbon Crowns

9:00 AM Rock Painting, Commercial Bldg

9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Pool Noodle Obstacle Course, Activity Zone

8:30 AM Register For The Open Fun Horse Show, Horse Arena Hosted by the Union County Saddle Club

10:00 AM Baby Contest, Stage 1

10:00 AM Union County Saddle Club Open Fun Show, Horse Arena

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Face Painting & Balloon Animals, Fun Zone Little Farmer’s Barnyard

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Carnival Games, Fun Zone

10:30 AM Bike Giveaway, Stage 1

10:45 AM Sack Races, Activity Zone

11:00 AM Egg Races/Egg Drop, Activity Zone

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM Zoo To You With Blank Park Zoo, Commercial Building

11:30 AM Bubble Blowing Contest, Stage 1

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM Zoo To You With Blank Park Zoo, Commercial Building

12:00 PM Pie Contest, Stage 1

12:30 PM Kid’s Pedal Pull, Activity Zone

12:30 PM Livestock Judging Registration, ISSB Show Arena

1:00 PM Water Games & Inflatables, Activity Zone

1:00 PM Livestock Judging Contest, ISSB Show Arena Hosted by East Union FFA

1:15 PM Water Balloon Toss, Activity Zone

2:00 PM Magician/Comedy Show, Stage 2

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Live Music, Grand Pavilion

5:30 PM Queen’s Parade, Afton Square

7:00 PM Truck & Tractor Pull, Grandstand

July 23, 2023

7:00 AM Grounds Clean Up (Horse & Riders, Pleasant Valley Explorers)

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Check in 4-H/FFA Feeder Calves, FNB Cattle Barn

8:15 AM Cowboy Church, ISSB Show Arena

9:00 AM 4-H/FFA Beef Show, ISSB Show Arena

12:00 PM 4-H/FFA Rabbit Show, Small Animal Barn

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM 4-H Robotics & Lego Set Up with demonstration to follow (1:30 PM), 4-H Bldg

2:00 PM Registration for Bags Tournament with tournament to follow, West of the Grandstand

2:00 PM Hay Bale Throwing Contest, Grandstand Hosted By Union County Farm Bureau

3:00 PM 4-H/FFA Pet Show, Small Animal Barn

4:30 PM Clover Kids Pet Show, Small Animal Barn

4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Live Music, Grand Pavilion

6:00 PM Beginning Genealogy

6:30 PM Demolition Derby, Grandstand

July 24, 2023

7:00 AM Grounds Clean up (Douglas Boosters, Lincoln United)

9:00 AM Cattle EID Tagging, FNB Cattle Barn & Scale House

9:00 AM 4-H/FFA Sheep & Goat Show, ISSB Show Arena

4:00 PM Open Bucket Calf Show, ISSB Show Arena Hosted By Union County Cattlemen

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Live Music, Grand Pavilion

5:30 PM Celebrity Beef Show, ISSB Show Arena Wear your “Yardbird” shirts in honor of longtime fair friend, Darwin West

6:00 PM Mutton Busting (Pre Entry For Drawing required), Grandstand

7:00 PM IRCA Rodeo, Grandstand

9:00 PM Live Music, Grand Pavilion

July 25, 2023 - Senior Citizens’ Day

7:00 AM Grounds Clean up (Highland Highlights, Wiggles & Wags)

8:30 AM Senior Citizens’ Day Registration & Coffee, 4-H Bldg

9:00 AM Senior Citizens’ Day Program, 4-H Bldg

9:00 AM Clothing & Communications Presentations, 4-H Bldg

9:00 AM 4-H/FFA Horse Show, Horse Arena

4:00 PM Swine Weigh Back, United Farmers Co-op Sheep, Goat, Swine Barn

5:00 PM Sheep & Goat Weigh Back, United Farmers Co-op Sheep, Goat, & Swine Barn

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Live Music, Grand Pavilion

5:30 PM Premier Livestock Showmanship Contest, ISSB Show Arena

6:00 PM Mutton Busting (Pre Entry For Drawing required), Grandstand

7:00 PM IRCA Rodeo, Grandstand

July 26, 2023

7:00 AM Grounds Clean up (ALL CLUBS)

8:00 AM 4-H/FFA Animals Released

8:00 AM 4-H/FFA Static Exhibits Released

8:00 AM Open Class Exhibits Released

9:00 AM 4-H/FFA Horse Show Rain Date, Horse Arena

11:30 AM Buyer’s Appreciation Lunch

12:00 PM Herdsmanship Awards announced

1:00 PM Parade of Champions followed by Livestock Sale, ISSB Show Arena

July 27, 2023

8:00 AM Grounds Clean up & Storage

Date: July 20,2023 - July 26, 2023

Location :

Union County Fairgrounds

211 S. Grace

Afton, Iowa 50830

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