Douglas County Fair

The Douglas County Fair is the home county fair for Omaha, and these days it is a compact, free weekend event held at Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Ralston. It is a chance for city kids and visitors to get close to the farm side of Nebraska.

The fair features 4-H and youth livestock shows, educational exhibits, animal zones, stage demonstrations, food and plenty of vendors. It is smaller than a traditional rural county fair with a midway, so think of it as a family outing rather than an all-day carnival.

For a bigger, more classic fair experience with rides and grandstand shows, the Sarpy County Fair in Springfield follows a couple of weeks later.

Highlights

• Free admission
• 4-H and youth livestock shows
• Animal zones for kids
• Stage demonstrations and vendors

Tips for going

• Parking at the arena is easy compared with downtown events.
• Check the schedule for livestock show times if you want to see judging.
• Combine with a visit to downtown Ralston's shops and restaurants.
• Indoor arena space makes it a good option on a hot or rainy July day.