Great Northern Fair 2024 underway with something for almost everyone

Activities for the Great Northern Fair got underway last weekend with 4-H setup starting Sunday and fair open and 4-H exhibit entries and 4-H interviews going to the major start of the fair, which fully got under way Wednesday with the opening of the midway, the vendors, the Commercial Building, the exhibits and more.

Arena entertainment started Wednesday as well with the popular Junior Rodeo.

The Great Northern Rodeo Ram Rodeo takes over the arena tonight and Friday, July 18-19.

Saturday sees the truck and tractor pull in the arena.

Local pulls start at noon with the professionals starting at 7 p.m. in the arena.

Sunday sees the long-running attraction of the Jaycees Demolition Derby. The derby starts at 6 p.m.

A whole set of stage and strolling entertainment is set throughout the fair, including the The Magic Circus Circus School, described as an all-around family attraction great for children and adults of all ages. The circus school will be under a 20x40-foot circus tent.

Basic circus skills will be taught July 18-21 from 2-8 p.m.

That will include juggling, hula hoop, tight-wire walking, bubble machines, a walking globe, spinning plates and peacock feather balance.

Hypnotist JR Matthew will present stage shows and strolling entertainment.

Magic Ben, finalist in "Canada's Got Talent," also will present stage shows and strolling entertainment.

And escape artist Bachelor Chris also will be presenting stage shows and stroll around the midway.

Parking at the fairgrounds parking lot is $5 per day or $20 for the week, with free parking before 1 p.m.

And Hill County 4-H was set for a big 2024 Great Northern Fair, with some changes including a major shift in time for the annual market sale.

This year, the livestock sale will start at 11 a.m.

The shift in the livestock sale time was to try to make things a little better both for the animals, the 4-H'er and the buyers, trying to get done with the sale and loading animals and so on before the hottest part of the day.

Montana State University Extension Hill County Agent Colleen Pegar said said the livestock sale will feature 36 beef, 39 swine, nine sheep and two goats.

The indoor 4-H displays all are set in the new 4-H Chuckwagon, and Extension Agent Kati Purkett and Pegar invited people to come in to the air-conditioned, which has some new menu entries as well as the old favorites, "and get a cold beverage and check things out."

Schedule of the 2024 Great Northern Fair

Arena

• Thursday, July 18 - Great Northern Ram Rodeo, 7 p.m., $15, children 10 and younger free

• Friday, July 19 - Great Northern Ram Rodeo, 7 p.m., $15, children 10 and younger free

• Saturday, July 20 - Truck and Tractor Pull, local pulls noon, professionals 7 p.m., $25 all-day admission, children 10 and younger free

• Sunday, July 21 - Jaycees Demolition Derby, 6 p.m., $15, children 10 and younger free

Carnival hours

• Thursday, Friday, Saturday – noon to midnight

• Sunday – noon to 9 p.m.

Vendor Booth Hours

• Thursday, Friday, Saturday – noon to 10 p.m.

• Sunday – noon to 8 p.m.

Open Class Building

• Noon to 9 p.m. daily

• Signups are Monday July 15th 12 pm – 8pm and Tuesday July 16th from 8 am – 7pm

The Magic of Circus School

• Free for all

• 2-8 p.m. Thursday – Sunday

• Juggling, hula hoop, tight wire, bubble machines

Free Parking before 1 p.m.

4-H schedule

Thursday

7 a.m. - 4-H Market Animal weigh scale opens

9 a.m. - 4-H Market Animal weigh scale closes

11 a.m. - 4-H Chuckwagon opens to the public, concessions and exhibit viewing

1:30 p.m. - Ultrasounding - by club, schedule to be set after fair entries close

3 p.m. 4-H Small Animal Show

Cat Showmanship and Judging

Pocket Pet Showmanship and Judging

Poultry Showmanship and Judging

Rabbit Showmanship and Judging

6 p.m. - 4-H Livestock Superintendents Meeting

6:30 p.m. - 4-H Livestock Exhibitors Meeting - all livestock, horse, rabbit and poultry members must attend

7 p.m. - Beef, Goat, Sheep and Swine Exhibitors meeting with judge

9 p.m. - 4-H Chuckwagon closes

9:30 p.m. - Bigger Better Barn, Horse Barn and Beef Barn close

Friday

9 a.m. - 4-H Beef Show

Beef Showmanship

Feeder/Market Beef Classes

Breeding Beef Show

11 a.m. - Chuckwagon opens to the public, concessions and exhibit viewing

3:30 p.m. - 4-H Dog Agility Demonstration

9 p.m. - 4-H Chuckwagon closes

9:30 p.m. - Bigger Better Barn, Horse Barn and Beef Barn close

Saturday

8 a.m. - 4-H Swine Show

Swine Showmanship

Swine Feeder/Market classes

11 a.m. - Chuckwagon opens to the public, concessions and exhibit viewing

1 p.m. - 4-H Sheep and Goat Show

Sheep Showmanship

Feeder/Market Sheep Classes

Breeding Sheep Show

Goat Showmanship

Feeder/Market Goat Classes

3 p.m. - 4-H Round Robin Competition

4 p.m. 4-H Parent/Alumni Round Robin Competition

After Round Robin Competition, large non-market animals may be taken home, including horses and breeding project, must verify with superintendent before removal

6 p.m. - 4-H Market Sale Setup

9 p.m. - 4-H Chuckwagon closes

9:30 p.m. - Bigger Better Barn, Horse Barn and Beef Barn close

Sunday

8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. - 4-H Appreciation breakfast sponsored by CHS Big Sky

10:45 a.m. - Presale announcements in Bigger Better Barn

11 a.m. - Chuckwagon opens to the public, concessions and exhibit viewing

11 a.m. - 4-H Market Sale in Bigger Better Barn

3 p.m. - Clean Up - 4-H Chuckwagon, Bigger Better Vent, Horse Barn and Beef Barn - all 4-H members, leaders and parents expected to participate.

4 p.m. - Non-animal 4-H exhibits may be removed from the Chuckwagon