Bannock County Fair returns to Downey with new attractions, live entertainment
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DOWNEY — It’s called “the best little fair in Idaho” for a reason, and everyone is invited to join in the fun.
A longtime Marsh Valley tradition, the Bannock County Fair returns to Downey on Monday, bringing six days of livestock shows, rodeo action, live entertainment, family activities and several new attractions to the Bannock County Fairgrounds.
With a theme of “Wild West Round-up,” the fair runs Monday through Saturday and will feature longtime favorites including 4-H and FFA exhibits, livestock competitions, horse pulls, motocross, a community parade, car show and the annual rodeo.
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Fair Superintendent Piney Morrison said one of the biggest additions this year is a calf scramble during the Kids Rodeo, planned for Monday at 7 p.m.
“Teenagers ages 13 to 17 will compete to halter a calf and keep it inside a designated area for a set amount of time,” Morrison said. “The winner will take home the calf, valued at about $2,000.”
Saturday will feature an all-new monster truck show, with half-scale cars, tough trucks and motocross.
“The ranch rodeo on Tuesday has 10 teams, compared to five teams last year,” Morrison said. “So that’s exciting.”
Live entertainment will be a highlight throughout the week. Nationally recognized country singer-songwriter Skip Ewing will headline Monday’s entertainment with a 5:30 p.m. performance. Ewing has recorded several country hits of his own and has written chart-topping songs for artists including Clint Black, Diamond Rio, Kenny Chesney and Collin Raye.
The fair will also showcase regional country artists. Keagan Park and Layne Bowen are scheduled to perform on Thursday, while Dawson Moon and the Aaron Ball Band will take the stage on Friday following the rodeo.
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For generations, the Bannock County Fair has brought together families from Marsh Valley and across southeast Idaho to celebrate agriculture, youth achievement and small-town traditions.
Although some have suggested the fair should move to Pocatello, Morrison believes its rural roots are what make it special and why it should stay in Downey.
“You can take the fair out of the country, but you can never take the country out of the fair,” she said.
A detailed and complete schedule of events, entertainment and entry information is available in the 2026 Bannock County Fair Book on Bannock County Fairgrounds webpage.
Information is also available on Bannock County Fair/Rodeo Facebook page.