What to know about 2025 Johnson County Fair: Livestock shows, music & wrestling

To put together a successful county fair nowadays, there has to be a balance of new and old.

“We have to be constantly evolving, but we have to have enough of the tradition,” said Don Lies, president of the board of the Johnson County Fair. “So many people have it as a tradition. If you change it too much, people will stop coming.”

So fairgoers will see both old and new when the Johnson County Fair is held Saturday, July 26, through Saturday, Aug. 2, at the fairgrounds, 136 E. Washington St., Gardner. The fair attracts 50,000 to 60,000 people each year.

A cornerstone to the fair every year is the 4H Clubs’ exhibits and competition of food and livestock — from goats and rabbits to horses, sheep, and poultry.

That’s how Lies first got involved in the county fair. He grew up in Gardner and he first attended the fair in the mid-1970s to support his older siblings involved in 4H. He has been involved in the fair ever since, except for when he joined the U.S. Navy in 1990.

“I came back in 1998 and got right back on the fair board,” he said.

All four of Lies’ daughters have been involved in 4H, but this is the last year his youngest daughter will be a part of it. However, it’s also the first year Lies’ oldest granddaughter is involved.

Lies said a strength of 4H Clubs is its family-oriented nature.

“The entire family gets involved in it,” Lies said. “And then the 4H club turns into a family. When I was involved, I had my biological mom and dad, but I had another 20 to 30 moms and dads at the fairground.

“And it is still that way today. I think that is why it still keeps going.”

Lies said the club is more than just raising, showing and auctioning off livestock. He said it includes subjects like space science and computers, too.

“There are newer projects to keep up with the times,” Lies said.

In addition, programs like community service and public speaking are offered to members.

“Those skills stay with them,” Lies said. “They learn a work ethic and skills on top of that.”

What’s new at Johnson County Fair in 2025?

Among the new things at the Johnson County Fair this year are online tickets for arena events and a rearrangement of the schedule. Plus, the demolition derby is now starting the fair instead of ending it.

Lies said the change was made because there are other demolition derbies being held at the fair’s closing day.

“The attendance was suffering because they were all competing for the same attendees,” Lies said.

The fair also features Trailblazer Championship Wrestling this year. Lies said the idea of adding that came from the fact that wrestling organizers rent out the fairground’s facility three or four times a year.

“They sell out every time they do,” Lies said.

Concerts have replaced the move of demolition derby on the prime nights of Friday and Saturday.

“This is the first year we are having concerts in the arena,” Lies said. “We have a good venue for it.”

The arena has a maximum capacity of 9,000. A big improvement in recent years is the fair’s carnival rides, Lies said, thanks to the revamping of state laws regarding carnivals.

“Most have cleaned up their act,” Lies said. “The carnival helps to keep the younger people coming,” Lies said. “The owners help support the 4H in the auction. They hire good people.

“I am impressed by their inspections and how they set up,” he added. “These guys do a phenomenal job.”

Lies said, as always, the organization is hoping the fair is profitable. The fairground has remodeling needs such as new roofs, new air conditioning and electrical upgrades.

“The volunteer labor saves us,” Lies said. “We have 20 to 30 volunteers here. And there are close to 150 to 200 volunteers who help with set up and clean up — and most of those are 4H families.”