“Friends, family and fun” is the theme for the 2018 Shelby County Fair that begins Wednesday, in Harlan. On Tuesday, 4-H Static Exhibits will be entered and judged, and there’s a 4-H baked goods and garden sale. Opening ceremonies for the fair will be held at 8-a.m. Wednesday, followed by: the 4-H cake decorating and table setting; Best Of Iowa contest; open class non-livestock entries will be submitted; A carnival will be open from 5 to 11, and the Tractor Pull is in front of the grandstand.

Judging of 4-H and FFA poultry will take place Thursday morning, followed by judging of: 4-H and FFA cats and small pets, 4-H and FFA beef breeding heifers, beef cows/calves, feeder calves and dairy cattle, 4-H bottle calves, open bottle exhibitor interviews and the open bottle show. The Commercial Building on the Shelby County Fairgrounds will open at 4-p.m. Thursday, the carnival takes place from 5 to 11, the Shelby County Fair Parade at 6:30, and at 8 pm, the Crowning of the Fair Queen and Hall of Fame Recognition.

On Friday, there’s 4-H and FFA Swine judging, 4-H working exhibits, judging 4-H and FFA horses, 4-H rabbit agility, free entertainment, and the 4-H Style Show. The carnival will be open from 5 to 11 pm, the Bill Riley Talent Show Friday night at 6 pm, mutton bustin’ at 7:30, and Fireworks in front of the Grandstand at dusk.

Saturdays activities include: judging the 4-H and FFA sheep, goats and rabbits; Apple Pie Morning will be held at 8:30 am; the Baby Contest, Open Class Horse and Pony show, the Show and Shine Car Show, antique tractor and machinery show; free entertainment, kids contests, pie and muffin auction, the stuffed animal show; the carnival will be open from 1 to 11; ag olympics, pee wee cookie decorating, 4-H presentations; the Harlan Community Band will perform at 3:30 pm, the Shelby County Cattlemen’s Cook-off is at 4 pm Saturday, along with the open class lamb show, and at 6:30, car races in front of the Grandstand.

Judging 4-H and FFA market beef will start at 8:30 Sunday morning, church services will be held at 9, plus there will be the antique tractor and machinery show, free entertainment, the carnival from noon to 5 pm, share the fun, public speaking and extemporaneous speaking at 1 pm, pedal tractor pull, Clover Kids graduation and Figure 8 races at 5 pm in front of the grandstand. The Livestock Auction will wrap up the Fair on Monday (July 16th), starting at 5 pm.