“With Pride We Strive, With Confidence We Succeed” will set the tone for the 2026 Kiowa County Fair & Rodeo as the county gathers in Eads Sept. 6 and Sept. 9-12 for livestock shows, rodeo action, horse races, family entertainment, food and live music.
For a few days each September, the Kiowa County Fairgrounds become the center of the county.
Trucks and trailers roll in. Livestock barns fill. Kids carry projects into the exhibit hall. Horses move through the arena gates. Families line Maine Street for the parade, gather around barbecue tables and settle into the grandstands as another year of fair traditions gets underway.
This year, the fair will carry the theme, “With Pride We Strive, With Confidence We Succeed,” submitted by Kent Frazee — a fitting message for a week built around hard work, competition, community pride and the confidence it takes to step into an arena, show ring or exhibit hall.
The 2026 Kiowa County Fair & Rodeo begins Sunday, Sept. 6, before picking back up Wednesday, Sept. 9, and continuing through Saturday, Sept. 12, with a packed schedule of livestock shows, rodeo events, horse races, family entertainment, food and live music.
The fair opens Sunday morning with the Kiowa County Riding Club Open Gymkhana at 10 a.m.
Activity resumes Wednesday as 4-H and FFA livestock arrive at the fairgrounds. The Poultry and Rabbit Show begins at 1 p.m., followed by open-class exhibit entry from 5 to 7 p.m. The Goat Show and the Southeast Colorado Can Chasers barrel race both begin at 6 p.m.
Thursday brings one of the busiest days of the week.
The day begins early with the Chuckwagon Breakfast on Maine Street at 6 a.m. Open-class entries will be accepted at the Exhibit Hall from 7 to 9 a.m., followed by the 4-H and FFA Swine Show at 9 a.m.
The Beef Show will follow one hour after the conclusion of the swine show, with the Sheep Show one hour after beef and the Round Robin beginning 15 minutes after the sheep show concludes.
Judging in the Exhibit Hall begins at 10 a.m.
The fair also adds several entertainment and competition options Thursday.
The Rodear Working Dog and Horse Competition begins at 1 p.m., putting handlers on horseback while their dogs work cattle through a series of obstacles in a timed event. The competition includes a Calcutta, a $25-per-dog entry fee and a 100 percent payout plus added money.
Thursday evening turns to team roping, with entries beginning at 6 p.m. and roping at 7 p.m.
Families will also have a new reason to spend the day at the fairgrounds with Bounce Blast, an inflatable fun zone scheduled Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 6 p.m.
The inflatable attractions include the Wacky Train Bouncy House and Slide, Obstacle Extreme and Candy Playland Bouncy House and Slide. Daily and three-day wristband options will be available for younger and older participants.
Friday shifts the fair into high gear.
The Chuckwagon Breakfast returns at 6 a.m., followed by the opening of the Exhibit Hall at 8 a.m. and the 4-H and FFA Livestock Sale at 9:30 a.m.
Laser tag opens from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday for ages 6 through adult, with single-day and two-day admission options available.
A Beef BBQ begins at noon Friday before the CPRA Rodeo takes the arena at 1 p.m.
At 3 p.m., 4-H and FFA animals will be released to be taken home, but the arena schedule will be far from over.
The Mountain States Ranch Rodeo Calcutta begins at 6 p.m., followed by the rodeo at 7 p.m. Five-man teams will compete, with participation limited to 12 teams.
Then, when the ranch rodeo ends, Joseph Hosey will perform a free concert in front of the Legion Hall.
Hosey describes his sound as “Rustbelt Country,” combining traditional country storytelling with blues and rock influences. His music draws on personal experiences, struggles and observations about everyday life.
Saturday closes out fair week with some of its largest events.
The annual parade begins at 10 a.m. on Maine Street, followed by the opening of the Exhibit Hall at 11 a.m.
Laser tag returns from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., while Bounce Blast operates from noon to 6 p.m.
A Pork BBQ is scheduled for noon.
At 1 p.m., the CPRA Rodeo returns for a second performance while the Kiowa County Horse Races also get underway.
The horse racing program includes open races, saddle races, pony races and two memorial races — the Larry and Susan Lusher Memorial 3/8 Mile Open and the Rob Kelley Memorial 1/2 Mile plus 70-yard Open.
Added money is being offered across the racing program, with individual purses varying by event.
The Premium List will be posted in the Community Building at 2 p.m., and exhibits will be released beginning at 4 p.m. following checkout with the secretary.
Then comes one final night of arena action.
The Ranch Bronc Riding Calcutta begins at 6 p.m., cash only, followed by Ranch Bronc Riding at 7 p.m. The event includes $1,000 in added money, with riding beginning immediately after the Calcutta.
From the first horse entering the arena Sunday morning to the final bronc ride Saturday night, this year’s fair will once again showcase the work, talent and traditions that define Kiowa County.
There will be livestock projects raised for months, riders and ropers chasing prize money, families filling the fairgrounds, kids enjoying new attractions, and neighbors gathering for food, music, competition and tradition.
But fair week has always been about more than a schedule.
It is one of those times when neighbors see neighbors, generations gather in the same grandstands and much of the county seems to end up in the same place.
For Kiowa County, fair week is competition, work and entertainment but it is also reunion, tradition and community.
And through all of it, this year’s theme says something larger about the community itself:
“With Pride We Strive, With Confidence We Succeed.”
For one week in September, Kiowa County will put those words on full display.
