Lancaster County Super Fair: July 29–August 8, 2026
- 4‑H & FFA Exhibits & Events: July 30–August 2
- 4‑H Horse Shows: July 29–August 2
The Lancaster County Super Fair, held at the Sandhills Global Event Center, is produced by the Lancaster County Agricultural Society. Lancaster County 4‑H (part of Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County) partners with the Ag Society to produce the 4‑H exhibits, events & activities during Super Fair.
Many 4‑H & FFA youth choose to showcase their finished project(s) at the fair. Only 4‑H and FFA members enrolled in Lancaster County are eligible to exhibit in the Lancaster County Super Fair 4‑H & FFA areas.
To participate in 4‑H or FFA at the fair, youth MUST BE ENROLLED in 4‑H Online by JUNE 15 of the current year.
The Lancaster County 4‑H & FFA Fair Book contains detailed entry information for youth exhibiting in 4‑H & FFA. A print version is mailed in early April to families enrolled in 4‑H Online, and it is published online here. Extra copies are available at the Extension office and at the 4‑H fair offices during fair.
RELATED LINKS:
Join 4‑H Enroll or Re-enroll in 4‑H Participant Code of Conduct Thank You Sponsors
NEW IN 4-H AT THE SUPER FAIR
New this year, the 4-H & FFA Fair Book is online in an improved format! Go to https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/fair/fair-book. There is no longer a PDF version indicating changes from last year, however significant changes are compiled in the list below. Many handouts that previously were PDF handouts online are now on web-friendly pages, such as https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/fashion-show, https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/fair/cat-scoresheets and https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/horse-dress-code.
See the Fair Book for detailed information about each of the following changes or new classes.
Exhibitor Entry
- The Sandhills Global Event Center is changing 4-H & FFA exhibitor entry to the fairgrounds from vehicle hangtags to wristbands for exhibitors and their immediate family members. These special holographic green wristbands serve as your admission for the entire 10-day fair. Kids 5 & under are free — no wristband needed. The wristbands are durable, washable & specifically designed to last all 10 days. Wristbands may be picked up at the following locations:
- Extension office (July 1–30)
- 4-H fair office, horse and livestock offices at the fairgrounds
- SGEC main office (July 30–Aug. 2)
- Gate 4 will be designated exclusively for 4-H & FFA exhibitors and their immediate families. 4-H parking is designated in Lot C east of the EquineMarket Pavilion.
America’s 250th Anniversary Theme
- Help celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by exhibiting 4‑H static exhibits in specific classes using this theme. 4-H & FFA animal exhibitors are encouraged to decorate their pen/stall/table areas with a 250th Anniversary theme.
Contests
- Fashion Show — Entry forms are now online at https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/fair/contests/fashion-show as web forms. Upload photo or sketch. “Narration Entry Form” is now called “Constructed Garment Fashion Show Form.” No fabric swatches are needed!
Static Exhibits
- Most video/multi-media requirements have changed to be uploaded to a video streaming application and 4-H member must provide a hard copy or QR code for viewing.
- Special County Exhibit: 25 Years of the Event Center Exhibit — Exhibit should celebrate 25 years of the Event Center, which hosts the Lancaster County Super Fair! Optional: include the years 2001–2026.
- Quilt Quest — Revised supporting information for most classes. Lancaster County 4‑H & FFA Fair Book printed version does not have the up-to-date details but this online version does.
- Photography — Levels 2 & 3 have new “Black & White Photography” and “Creative and Experimental Photography” classes.
- Food Preservation — Jar labels are to be printed using Nebraska 4‑H-provided labels which are available as self-adhesive labels at the Extension office and as a fill-in PDF at https://go.unl.edu/canninglabel (which can be printed on 2" round labels such as Avery #94501).
- Heirloom Treasures/Family Keepsakes — Classes are now called Home Antique Restoration.
- Safety is now called “Disaster Response, Preparedness & Safety” — includes new classes: “Disaster Preparedness Learning Experience,” “Care Package,” “Care Package Display” and “Telling a Story Display.”
- Horticulture Special Garden Project — is the Alumia Vanilla Cream Marigold. To exhibit at fair, enter 3 stems in the Horticulture class, “Marigold” (class G770014).
- Forestry —
- Due to the lifting of the quarantine restrictions in Nebraska for all true ash species regarding the threat of Emerald Ash Borer, specimens such as Green Ash and White Ash will be accepted for all collections.
- Several classes use the official 2026 Nebraska 4‑H Tree List at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hforestry (also used in the county and state Tree ID Contests).
- Many Forestry classes have changed requirement details.
- Special Agronomy Project — is TWO varieties of popcorn: Nebraska Red and Robust 997. To exhibit at fair, choose from any combination of three special agronomy project classes: Educational Exhibit, Video Presentation and/or Plant Exhibit.
Animal Exhibits
- Air conditioning is planned for the Currency Pavilion during the 4-H and Open Class animal show days! Exhibitors are encouraged to still bring fans, frozen water bottles, etc. as backup cooling methods.
- Premium Payouts Procedure for Animals has changed (except horse and rabbit) — Livestock and poultry exhibitors must pick up premium payouts on Sunday, Aug. 2, 5–7 p.m. at the Abate Room. The Abate Room is near the Lancaster Room and between the Currency and TractorHouse Pavilions. Cat, household pets and dog premiums will be paid at the shows. Livestock Judging Contest participants will receive premiums after the contest.
- Beef — Breeding classes now include an older age class from Aug. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024.
- Sheep and Meat Goat Show Times — This year, the Sheep show will start on Thursday, July 30 at 1 p.m. and the Meat Goat Show will follow (show order alternates every year).
- Poultry Pet Class now includes 3 age groups.
- Rabbit — Decorated Carrier Contest has been added to the Specialty Show!
- Dog Show —
- Official 4-H attire change: 4-H & FFA livestock exhibitor T-shirt is acceptable.
- Costume Contest and Creative Kennel Contest 2026 theme — “Movies.”
- Cats — Official 4-H attire changes include 4-H & FFA livestock exhibitor T-shirt is acceptable.
- Household Pets —
- Official 4-H attire changes include 4-H & FFA livestock exhibitor T-shirt is acceptable.
- New static exhibit Record Book Keeping class.
- Horse —
- Hunter/Equitation Divisions have been renamed.
- Walk-trot/Novice Division classes have been added to Horse Games and Trail & Ranch Trail.
- Miniature Horse Show Jumping now includes two Hunter classes.
- Miniature Horse Show “Pleasure Driving” is now called “Ideal Driving.”