Fair Time: 177th Shelby County Fair ready to roar

The 177^th Shelby County Fair officially kicks off Monday, but events are already underway at the fairgrounds in Shelbyville.

The Baby Contest and Little Miss and Little Mister Contest take place tonight at the grandstand.

The fair parade starts at 2 p.m. Saturday. RPM Flat Track Racing at the grandstand follows at 3:30 p.m.

Events begin Monday with a Goat Show at 8 a.m. in the livestock pavilion.

The full schedule of events can be found at https://www.shelbycountyfairin.com/schedule-of-events

The grandstand will be busy nightly with the following events:

• American Outlaw Pro Rodeo Monday
• Music concert with Scott Shrader and Lindsey Flannery, Vance Bonebrake & the Bean Blossom Ramblers Tuesday
• Touch-A-Truck and Monster Truck rides Wednesday
• All Star TQ Midget racing Thursday
• Battle of the Bluegrass Truck and Tractor Pull Friday
• Demolition Derby Saturday

American Outlaw Pro Rodeo

New this year is the rodeo Monday night that will feature several participants with Shelby County ties.

There are five events scheduled according to event organizer Wesley Grubbs with American Outlaw Pro Rodeo – Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Mutton Busting, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding.

“The fans are in for a real show,” said Grubbs, who will be participating in the Saddle Bronc Riding and watching one of his sons ride in Mutton Busting. “The quality of this rodeo is unbelievable.”

The rodeo will be a first for American Outlaw Pro Rodeo at the Shelby County Fair.

“This is more of a rough stock deal – bulls, broncs and barrels,” said Grubbs, who is originally from Shelby County. “We are trying to bring the people what they want.”

The arena will be set up in front of the grandstand just behind the gravel racetrack. In between events, Grubbs promises plenty of special entertainment to keep the crowd involved.

As of Friday afternoon, there are five entries in the Bareback Riding event and 11 in the Saddle Bronc competition.

A total of 10 participants, all age eight or younger, are in the Mutton Busting (riding on sheep) event. Six call Shelby County home.

“That’s something for them kids,” said Grubbs. “I got two boys and I tell them to grip it and rip it. It’s a lot of fun for the kids.”

There are 10 entries in the Bull Riding event including Shelbyville’s Anthony Toon.

The Barrel Racing competition will feature 19 competitors, which is a large number for a typical rodeo. But with seven competitors in the field from Shelby County, Grubbs will give everyone the chance to compete in the main event.

Representing Shelby County will be Jocelyn Firebaugh (Fairland, Ind.), Emma Connor (Fairland), Marissa Harrel (Shelbyville), Paislee Vannoy (Fairland), Ava Connor (Fairland), Kinslee Vannoy (Fairland) and Fallon Strong (Shelbyville).

“There are a lot of hometown girls. We want to let them all run so nobody feels left out,” said Grubbs.

Shelby Royal

There will be two Royal Showmanship contests this year. The 2025 qualifiers will compete Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at the Livestock Pavilion.

The 2026 qualifiers from events this week at the fair will vie for the title Friday at 9 a.m. at the Livestock Pavilion.

Concerts on the Free Stage this year include:

• Trenton Wheatley, a 2026 Triton Central graduate, on stage Monday
• Larry Browning music Wednesday
• Buck Rogers Jr. Thursday
• Eric Roberts Friday
• Moon Cave Ramblers Saturday

Food vendors open daily during the fair at 3 p.m. Midway hours run from 6 to 10 p.m. each night except Wednesday (Kids Day). The midway opens from 1 to 5 p.m. and again 6 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday.

Parking on the fairgrounds is $10 beginning at 3 p.m.

Parking passes ($20) can be purchased at the fair office.

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