Custer County Fair starts Thursday

Hermosa is the place to be this weekend, as the Custer County Fair returns for four days of fun Aug. 10-13.
The action begins Thursday, Aug. 10, at 8 a.m. with small animal registration beginning at the same time.
The first showmanship begins at 10 a.m. and continues into the afternoon, with such showmanship as poultry, rabbit and companion animal. At noon the 4-H interview judging of indoor exhibits begins and commercial vendor booths open at 2 p.m., as does open class exhibits. At 5 p.m. the annual kickoff supper will take place, followed a 4-H project rocket launch at 6 p.m. The Barnyard Olympics round out the evening at 7 p.m.
The Barnyard Olympics is a competition of team games with events such as goat roping, bucket race, sack race, cow milking, egg race and more. The kickoff supper is sponsored by Bishop Beef, Pop’s Grocery Shoppe, Black Hills Electric Cooperative, Farm Credit Services, Philip Livestock, Belle Fourche Livestock and First Interstate Bank of New Underwood.
Friday begins with ranch horse show and sheep and goat show registration at 8 a.m. The ranch horse show is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and more showmanship begins at 10 a.m. and runs into the afternoon. Judging begins in the Fine Arts and Horticulture buildings at 11:30 a.m.
The baked goods sale begins at 4 p.m., and the Blazin’ Barnyard Barbecue Competition check-in begins at 5 p.m.
Another free meal is planned from 5-6:30 p.m., and this barbecue appreciation dinner is sponsored by Custer State Park and First Interstate Bank of Custer.
The kids calf scramble takes place at 6 p.m., which will be followed by the Grittin All in Ranch Rodeo and Ranch Bronc Riding at  7 p.m. The ranch rodeo will once again be preceded by a calcutta at 6:30 p.m.
Teams of four will compete in fun-filled cowboy events at the ranch rodeo, including the wild horse catch, team doctoring, team penning, obstacle race and more. The winner will be entered in the Central Sates Fair Ranch Rodeo later in the month.
From 9 p.m. to midnight that night there will be a dance with music by Feedback.
Saturday begins at 8 a.m. with the ranch sort registration, and swine and dairy and beef cattle registration takes place at 8 a.m. as well. The ranch sort competition begins at 9 a.m., as does Good Old Driving Days registration and cornhole tournament registration. The cornhole tournament begins at 10 a.m., as does the Blazin’ Barnyard barbecue youth competition check-in and the Grand Old Driving Days competition.
The Ranch Sort includes categories for open, rancher, rancher/open, youth (16 and under) and rancher heritage. Spectators at the Gold Old Driving Days competition can watch competitions such as the hitch and drive course, feed race, water race, log pull and more—all horse drawn.
The Blazin’ Barnyard Youth BBQ will begin at 10 a.m., around the same time the 4-H beef showmanship begins. This competition will see contestants work with one pound of hamburger provided to them. An hour later the Pee Wee Stock Show begins.
At 1 p.m. the kids carnival will begin, and run until 5 p.m. At 2 p.m. there will be the turn-in for the Blazin’ Barnyard Barbecue competition. From 2-4 p.m. there will be a dutch oven cooking demonstration.
Meat will be provided for the Blazin’ Barnyard Barbecue to all teams along along with ice. All teams must provide all cooking equipment, seasonings, tables, etc. Entry divisions include chicken, pork ribs, beef and buffalo.
Prizes will be awarded in each individual meat division along with an overall grand champion. The public is welcome to sample the contestants’ food. There will also be a dessert competition.
The annual Hermosa American Legion Beers and Ears will take place 4-7 p.m. at the post home, and will feature live music and all you can eat ears of corn. Public tasting for the barbecue competition begins at 4:30 p.m.
At 7 p.m. the annual Ride for the Brand ranch bronc match and Battle for the Bed couples roping will take place. Both of these events will preceeded by a calcutta.
New this year is the Trio & Deal Cowboy/Cowgirl Triathlon. This competition begins at 7 p.m. (calcutta at 6:30 p.m.) and will see contestants begin with a breakaway run, then on to a barrel pattern before finishing with a goat tying.
The fair keeps it rocking Saturday night with a concert by Trisen Schofield & Drive by Night from 9 p.m. to midnight.
The fair rolls into Sunday with a pancake breakfast sponsored by Crawford Livestock Market, CBH Cooperative, Black Hills Meat Co., Fall River Health Services and Nelson’s Oil and Gas from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and a Custer County church service at 9:30 a.m. at the fairgrounds.
At 11 a.m. the annual parade will take place through Hermosa, and noon is the start time for the annual car show featuring antique cars, hot rods, pickups, classics and sports cars. Parade lineup is at 10 a.m., and judging is at 10:30 a.m.
At 1 p.m. the Ice Cream Crankoff will take place, as well as a horseshoe tournament and the annual Play Day/Livestock events. Play Day is for children up to age 18 and features a variety of events such as barrel racing, poles, chute dogging and calf roping.
The ice cream from the crankoff can be created by hand or electric freezers and prizes are awarded for first, second and third place. The public can taste the ice cream at 2 p.m.
The horseshoe tournament is open to men and women with elimination singles and double playoffs.
Following the car show the event winds down with the picking up of entries and premiums from 2-4 p.m.
For more information  visit custercountyfair.com or like Custer County Fair on Facebook at facebook.com/ Custer County Fair.