The Gibson County Fair got underway on Sunday, kicking off a full week of family-friendly events in Princeton. Fairgoers can enjoy a variety of 4-H shows, including beef, sheep, swine, and poultry competitions, along with exhibits showcasing local youth projects.

The fair also offers a wide range of grandstand entertainment, from truck and tractor pulls to a rodeo, motocross, and the demolition derby. Music fans can catch live performances each night at the free stage, and the Great American Carnival opens daily with rides and games.

Special days include Kiddie Day on Tuesday and Senior Day on Wednesday, offering discounted admission and activities. Admission to all grandstand events is included with fair entry, and the fair runs through Saturday.

  • Monday, July 7

    • Free admission for lunch until 2:00 p.m.

    • 6:00 a.m. — Breakfast served

    • 9:00 a.m. — 4-H Beef, Sheep, Swine Showmanship

    • 12:30 p.m. — 4-H Barnyard Olympics

    • 1:00 p.m. — “Food is Medicine” demonstration

    • 2:00 p.m. — Antique Tractor Display; 4-H Exhibit Building opens

    • 3:00 p.m. — Food booths open

    • 4:00 p.m. — 4-H Meat Goat Show; Merchants display opens; free Monster Truck pit party

    • 5:00 p.m. — Carnival and Antique Machinery demos open; 4-H Fashion Revue

    • 6:00 p.m. — 4-H Sheep Show; Bear Hollow Wood Carving Show

    • 7:00 p.m. — Adult Pedal Tractor Pull; Jimmy Detalente & Kevin Minnis concert; Monster Truck Show (grandstands)

    • 8:00 p.m. — Wood carving show


  • Tuesday, July 8 (Kiddie Day & Military/Veterans Day)

    • 6:00 a.m. — Breakfast served

    • 9:00 a.m. — 4-H Dairy & Pygmy Goat Show

    • 11:00 a.m. — Kiddie Day registration begins; 4-H Horse & Pony Speed classes

    • Noon — Wood carving show; Mini 4-H Barn Tours; shuttle bus starts; free games and prizes begin

    • 1:00 p.m. — Carnival opens with Kiddie Rides only ($10 armband from 1–4 p.m.); First Book for Kids demo

    • 2:00 p.m. — Antique Tractor Display; 4-H Exhibit Building opens

    • 3:00 p.m. — Wood carving show; food booths open

    • 4:00 p.m. — Merchants display opens; carnival closes then reopens at 5:00 p.m.

    • 5:00 p.m. — Antique Machinery demos; carnival reopens

    • 6:00 p.m. — 4-H Swine Show; wood carving show

    • 7:00 p.m. — Scrapper Racing & Mower Demo Derby (grandstands); Scott Mason & Rickie Byrne concert (free stage)

    • 8:00 p.m. — Wood carving show


  • Wednesday, July 9 (Senior Day)

    • Free admission for lunch until 2:00 p.m.; $4 admission for seniors (60+)

    • 6:00 a.m. — Breakfast served

    • 9:30 a.m. — 4-H Horse Show

    • 10:00 a.m. — 4-H & Open Class Dairy Show

    • 1:00 p.m. — Water Bath Canning demo

    • 2:00 p.m. — Antique Tractor Display; 4-H Exhibit Building opens

    • 3:00 p.m. — Food booths open

    • 4:00 p.m. — Merchants display opens

    • 5:00 p.m. — Antique Machinery demos; carnival opens; 4-H Fashion Revue

    • 6:00 p.m. — Antique Tractor Pull; 4-H Beef Show

    • 7:00 p.m. — Hometown Gold concert; DD Pro Rodeo Championship Rodeo (grandstands)


  • Thursday, July 10

    • Free admission for lunch until 2:00 p.m.

    • 6:00 a.m. — Breakfast served

    • 9:00 a.m. — FFA Judging Contest

    • 11:00 a.m. — Supreme Showmanship Contest

    • 1:00 p.m. — Homemakers Quilting 101 demo; 4-H Horse & Pony Fun Class

    • 2:00 p.m. — Antique Tractor Display; 4-H Exhibit Building opens

    • 3:00 p.m. — Motocross pits open; food booths open

    • 4:00 p.m. — Motocross sign-ups; merchants display opens

    • 5:00 p.m. — Motocross practice; antique demos; carnival opens

    • 6:00 p.m. — 4-H Awards

    • 6:45 p.m. — 4-H Livestock Premium Auction

    • 7:00 p.m. — Live music (Still Company)

    • 7:30 p.m. — Motocross Finals (grandstands)


  • Friday, July 11

    • Free admission for lunch until 2:00 p.m.

    • 4-H Pavilion & Exhibit Hall closed

    • 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. — Lunch food booths open

    • Noon–9:00 p.m. — Homemakers exhibits open

    • 1:00 p.m. — “Redecorate, Refresh & Restyle” demo

    • 2:00 p.m. — Antique Tractor Display

    • 3:00 p.m. — Food booths open

    • 4:00 p.m. — Merchants display opens

    • 5:00 p.m. — Antique demos; carnival opens

    • 6:00 p.m. — Beer garden opens with Blackstone Band

    • 6:30 p.m. — 4-H Robotics Demo

    • 7:00 p.m. — Coslett’s Tone Deaf Troubadours (free stage)

    • 8:00 p.m. — Colt Ford concert (grandstands)


  • Saturday, July 12

    • Free admission for lunch until 2:00 p.m.

    • 4-H Pavilion & Exhibit Hall closed

    • 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. — Lunch food booths open

    • 2:00 p.m. — Antique Tractor Display

    • 3:00 p.m. — Food booths open

    • 4:00 p.m. — Merchants display opens; Demo Derby pits open for registration

    • 5:00 p.m. — Antique demos; carnival opens

    • 6:00 p.m. — 1/4 Scale Tractor Pull; Bear Hollow wood carving auction

    • 6:30 p.m. — Demo Derby drivers meeting

    • 6:45 p.m. — Power Wheels Demo (kids)

    • 7:00 p.m. — Starbound Band (free stage); Demo Derby (five classes)