photo by: Mike Yoder

Demolition derby spectators watch from the stands against the backdrop of Moore’s Greater Shows Carnival at the 2024 Douglas County Fair on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.

The Douglas County Fair will kick off next week, offering free live music, carnival rides, exhibits and competitive events.

The annual fair is held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St. in Lawrence. Pre-shows for the fair began July 18 and will continue through Sunday, including 4-H events like a clothing judging this Tuesday and a public modeling showcase this Wednesday at 7 p.m. The bulk of the festivities will start on Tuesday, July 28.

For the full Douglas County Fair schedule, visit https://dgcountyfair.com/. Here are the highlights:

TUESDAY, JULY 28

• 8 a.m. at the Open Pavilion – Poultry show and showmanship

• 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. at the Open Pavilion – Corn-hole tournament

• 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Building 21 – Food sale

• 6 p.m. at the Open Pavilion – Meat goat show

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29

• 8:30 a.m. at the Open Pavilion – Rabbit show

• 11 a.m. at the Community Building – Dairy cow show

• 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. at the Open Pavilion – Corn-hole tournament

• 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Building 8 – Petting zoo

• 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Building 8 – Pony rides

• 5 p.m. at the Open Pavilion – Swine show

• 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. – Family night, Moore’s Greater Shows Carnival is open.

• 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Stage Area – Musical performance by Allison Wilson

• 7 p.m. at the Outdoor Arena – Garden tractor pull

THURSDAY, JULY 30

• 9 a.m. at the Open Pavilion – Llama and alpaca show

• 1:30 p.m. at the Community Building – Livestock judging contest

• 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. at the Open Pavilion – Corn-hole tournament

• 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Building 8 – Petting zoo

• 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Building 8 – Pony rides

• 6 p.m. at the Open Pavilion – Sheep show

• 6 p.m. at the Outdoor Arena – Antique tractor pull

• 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. – Family night, Moore’s Greater Shows Carnival is open

• 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Stage Area – Musical performance by The Back-atcha Band

FRIDAY, JULY 31

• 8:30 a.m. at the Community Building – Calf show and beef show

• 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. at the Open Pavilion – Corn-hole tournament

• 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Building 8 – Petting zoo

• 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Building 8 – Pony rides

• 6 p.m. at the Blacktop Area – Bale throwing contest. Registration opens at 5:30 p.m.

• 6 p.m. – midnight – Moore’s Greater Shows Carnival is open

• 7:30 p.m. at the Outdoor Arena – Demolition derby. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be $15 plus fees for a single night ticket or $25 plus fees for both nights. Purchase tickets at https://shorturl.at/MXQ1r.

• 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. at the Stage Area – Musical performance by Delta Haze

SATURDAY, AUG. 1

• 10:30 a.m. at the Open Pavilion – Pedal tractor pull. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m.

• 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Building 8 – Petting zoo

• 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Building 8 – Pony rides

• Noon at the Open Pavilion – Corn-hole championship

• 1 p.m. – midnight – Moore’s Greater Shows Carnival is open. Family day is from 1 to 5 p.m.

• 5:30 p.m. at the Open Pavilion – 4-H livestock auction

• 8 p.m. at the Outdoor Arena – Demolition derby. Gates will open at 7 p.m. Tickets will be $15 plus fees for a single night ticket or $25 plus fees for both nights. Purchase tickets at https://shorturl.at/MXQ1r.

• 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Stage Area – Musical performance by The Vincents