The Long Way
Sheridan County
A line of children wearing cowboy hats stand in a dirt arena.
Plate I. Youth participants, Sheridan County Fair. From sheridancountyfairgrounds.com
A child rides a sheep coming out of a chute in an arena.
Plate II. Mutton busting event, Sheridan County Fair. From sheridancountyfairgrounds.com
An exterior view of the Sheridan County Livestock Exhibit and Sale Pavilion building.
Plate III. Livestock Pavilion, Sheridan County Fair. From sheridancountyfairgrounds.com

Sheridan County Fair

Sheridan, Sheridan County, Wyoming. Annual county fair.

Details

Map. Sheridan, Sheridan County, Wyoming. Larger map
Where
1753 Victoria St, Sheridan, WY 82801. Directions
When
SCFA Board Meetings second Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m.
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM during the winter. Summer months will vary.
Access
Complimentary Wi-Fi access, courtesy of Range.net.
Phone
(307) 672-2079
Managed by
Sheridan County Fairgrounds.

To economically develop, maintain, and manage the fairground facilities for the benefit of the public which are safe convenient, and provide diverse educational and recreational opportunities in an attractive environment. Further, it is our mission and responsibility to produce and manage an annual county fair for the benefit and enjoyment of the citizens and to promote the achievements of young people engaged in 4-H and FFA activities.

Notable Events

  1. 1885The town of Big Horn hosted a fair at the George Forsyth ranch in 1885, while the area was still part of Johnson County. npgallery.nps.gov
  2. 1889The Big Horn Sentinel reported a meeting held to reorganize the Sheridan County Fair and move the fairgrounds from Big Horn to Sheridan; a 40 acre lot south of Sheridan was selected. npgallery.nps.gov
  3. 1906H. C. Loucks sold 40 acres west of town to the Sheridan County Fair Association, a private entity incorporated October 5, 1905. npgallery.nps.gov
  4. 1914A Sheridan Stampede, known as the Bots Sots Stampede (Crow for large, grand, fine), was organized in 1914 by the Commercial Club. npgallery.nps.gov
  5. 1918Sheridan County did not officially sponsor the fair until 1918, when it purchased the fair grounds for $4,000. npgallery.nps.gov
  6. 1923The Exhibit Hall was built in 1923 as the first permanent building of the Sheridan County Fairgrounds, designed by architect C.W. Shaver, Jr. npgallery.nps.gov
  7. 1931During the Great Depression, no county fair was held from 1931-1939. npgallery.nps.gov
  8. 1931The Sheridan Wyo Rodeo began in 1931 and, along with the county fair, became two of the most anticipated annual events for county residents. npgallery.nps.gov
  9. 1940The new stone Pavilion officially opened at the 1940 county fair. npgallery.nps.gov
  10. 1992The old grandstand was finally demolished in 1992 and a new metal grandstand replaced it. npgallery.nps.gov

People

  • C. Walter Wiberg, Local architect who designed the WPA Pavilion.
  • C.W. Shaver, Jr., Architect of the 1923 Exhibit Hall.
  • E. Gillette, Officer of the Sheridan County Fair Association.
  • Fred Noland, Supervised construction of the WPA grandstand under a county contract signed October 28, 1935.
  • George Forsyth, His ranch at Big Horn hosted the 1885 fair.
  • H. C. Alger, Officer of the Sheridan County Fair Association.
  • H. C. Loucks, Sold 40 acres west of town to the Sheridan County Fair Association in 1906.
  • Ralph Denio, Officer of the Sheridan County Fair Association.

Sources

  1. sheridancountyfairgrounds.com
  2. sheridancountyfairgrounds.com/2026-county-fair
  3. sheridanwyoming.org/festivals-events/sheridan-county-fair
  4. sheridancountywy.gov/county_government/fair_association_board.php
  5. wyoshpo.wyo.gov/index.php/programs/national-register/wyoming-listings/view-full-list/782-sheridan-county-fairgrounds-historic-district
  6. wyomingfairs.org/uploads/1/4/6/1/14610122/2026_wyoming_fair_dates.pdf
  7. rmaf.net/events/2026/sheridan-county-fair
  8. facebook.com/shercofair
  9. npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/11000533_text
  10. npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/11000533
  11. sheridanclt.org/projects/tbt-sheridan-county-fairgrounds