In addition to the rides, there will be a wide array of booths, exhibits and displays in the covered buildings as well as a full schedule of musical entertainment and youth competition involving 4-H and FFA youth showing their project animals.
On stage at the Spray & Pray Hospitality Tent on the midway will be shows by local favorites, The California Toe Jam Band, featuring Harry Havery. Also performing over the course of the fair will be Jill’s Cash Box, The Highlands Ridge Ramblers, Justin Grimes, Strapped for Cash, Tripwire, and the Jake Hair Band.
In additon to musical performances, a hypnotist show will be held each evening on the Firemen Stage and the Cool Exotic Petting Zoo will be set up along Flag Row.
A bevy of beauty pageants also are slated for the Alan Jay Arena, beginning with the Junior Miss Highlands County Pageant on opening night. There will be a double header Saturday evening with both the Teen Miss Highlands County and Miss Highlands County pageants. Little Miss Highlands County for 2025 will be selected Sunday afternoon in the final pageant of this year’s fair.
For those who want to see local agriculture, youth will have their livestock competition beginning Saturday afternoon with the Poultry Show & Showmanship competition followed by the Meat Goat Show & Showmanship. Sunday will feature the Market Swine Show & Showmanship. There will be two Pee Wee Shows for the younger kids. They will show large animals Monday evening and small animals Wednesday evening. The Rabbit Show & Showmanship also will be Wednesday evening. The Market Heifer and Showmanship is slated for Monday evening with the Market Steer & Showmanship will be held on Tuesday evening.
The show is where animals are judged for their form and substance, while the youth, and their ability to control their animals in the show ring are judged in the showmanship portion of the program.
Thursday evening will be the annual Junior Livestock Competition sponsored by Heartland National Bank. That is where all of the animals judged and shown during this year’s fair will be put on the auction block. This event not only teaches local youth valuable skills in animal husbandry but it also instills important lessons in responsibility, teamwork, and perseverance. The auction serves as a culmination of their efforts, as businesses and community members come together to support these aspiring agriculturists.
Folks pack the stands at the Livestock Arena to root on friends and relatives showing their animals.
Reithoffer Shows has returned with a full compliment of spectacular, thrill and kiddie rides. The Ferris Wheel already has gone up next to the high speed Music Express. Also on the midway will be the Rip Tide and Starship 3000. The rides can be purchased via individual tickets, however, the more enthusiastic riders can ride all the rides all night by purchasing a Reithoffer Shows Arm Band for $25.
There are several special admission days. On Saturday, the second day of the fair, it will be American Heroes Day, where Military, First Responders & Healthcare personnel will be admitted for $5. Sunday will be Senior Citizen Day. Seniors will be admitted for $5.00 with proper identification. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays will be discount days with all admissions, $5. Thursday has been declared Students’ Day – school-aged children with a can of food will be admitted at no additional charge.
Those who want their tickets to the fair can buy their admission tickets online, simply by clicking here.
