by The Douglas County Fair is a vibrant, family-friendly event celebrating agriculture, creativity, and community in Ralston, Nebraska. Held each summer, the fair offers free admission and parking, bringing together educational exhibits, livestock shows, interactive zones, and fun for all ages.
Venue
The Douglas County Fair is hosted at the Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Ralston, Nebraska—a central and accessible venue ideal for family activities and educational experiences. The venue provides space for animal zones, vendor booths, static exhibits, and more.
- Location: Liberty First Credit Union Arena, 7300 Q Street, Ralston, NE
- Free admission and free parking make the fair accessible to all
- Features include educational exhibits, animal zones, vendor shows, static displays, and demonstrations
Dates & Timings
This year’s fair takes place over a single weekend in mid-August, running from August 19 through August 20, 2025. Check-in for static exhibitions typically begins the day before.
- August 18 : Static exhibition entries accepted, generally between late afternoon and early evening
- August 19 : Activities run roughly from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
- August 20 : Events typically from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tickets
One of the fair’s standout features is that there is no admission fee—entry and parking are both free for all visitors.
- Entry: Free admission
- Parking: Free
Food
Local food offerings ensure visitors can enjoy tasty and comforting fare while exploring the fair.
- Food trucks and concession stands available throughout the event
Rides & Attractions
While the event doesn’t list traditional carnival rides, it offers a variety of interactive and educational attractions for all ages.
- Animal Zone: A chance to see and learn about various livestock
- Kid’s Zone with activities like face painting and balloon twisting
- Interactive activities such as Edgerton Explorit demonstrations (“Amazing Bubbles,” “Arctic Blast,” “Sparks,” “Go Show”)
- Car Show, Chalk Coloring, and Wildlife Encounter shows throughout the days
Entertainment
The fair’s programming includes a variety of hands-on learning experiences and shows for all ages.
- Fair welcome ceremony each day
- Edgerton Explorit demos featuring bubble science, spaceflight, sparks, and Arctic-themed experiments
- Wildlife encounters and car shows to engage different interests
- Group performances such as Invention Scouts and Omaha Street Percussion on Sunday
- Free kids’ face painting and balloon twisting, along with a Kids Tractor Pull competition and Free Watermelon Feed on Sunday
Additional Features
Beyond exhibits and entertainment, the fair offers valuable educational and community engagement opportunities.
- Static Exhibits (produce, flowers, textile arts, visual arts, food, quilts, photography): submission on August 18, open to public on August 19–20
- Vendor Show featuring commercial and non-profit booths throughout both days
- Agricultural and University Extension Displays to educate visitors about farming, science, and local agriculture
In Closing
The Douglas County Fair in 2025 delivers a compact yet rich weekend of learning, fun, and community spirit. With free entry, a variety of educational exhibits, interactive demonstrations, live shows, and local vendors, it’s an ideal event for families and neighbors to explore together.
