Honestly, if you think the Riley County Fair 2025 is just about giant pumpkins and teenagers dragging stubborn goats around a ring, you're only seeing about ten percent of the picture. Sure, the livestock is there. The 4-H kids have been sweating over those projects since last October. But for those of us who have spent decades wandering through CiCo Park in late July, we know the fair is basically the heartbeat of Manhattan, Kansas, for five straight days.
It’s hot. It’s loud. It smells like a mix of funnel cake and cedar shavings. And it’s arguably the best thing that happens in the Little Apple all summer.
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When and Where: The Logistics Nobody Mentions
The 2025 Riley County Fair is officially set to run from Thursday, July 24, through Monday, July 28.
People always ask why it ends on a Monday. It feels weird, right? Most fairs wrap up on a Sunday night so everyone can get back to work. But in Riley County, Monday is actually the "Big Day" for the kids because that’s when the 4-H Livestock Sale happens. It’s where the community shows up with their checkbooks to reward months of hard work. If you’ve never seen a local business owner bid three times the market value for a pig just to help a kid save for college, you’re missing out on the soul of this event.
Most of the action happens at CiCo Park (near the intersection of Kimball and Avery). Pro tip: parking is a nightmare if you arrive right as the sun starts to set. If you aren't there by 5:30 p.m., be prepared to walk from the further reaches of the ballfields.
The Kaw Valley Rodeo: More Than Just an "Add-on"
You can't talk about the fair without talking about the Kaw Valley Rodeo. It runs concurrently with the fair, but it’s its own beast entirely. It’s held at the Wells Arena within the park.
- Thursday, July 24: Military Appreciation Night (Manhattan is a Fort Riley town, so this is huge).
- Friday, July 25: Tough Enough to Wear Pink (for cancer research).
- Saturday, July 26: The final night and the big awards.
Gates open at 6:30 p.m., and the dirt starts flying at 8:00 p.m. If you’re bringing kids on Thursday, bring a non-perishable food donation for the Flint Hills Breadbasket; it usually gets the little ones (under 12) in for free.
The Carnival Scene (And How to Keep Your Sanity)
WEEE Entertainment is the provider for the carnival rides this year. They usually kick things off around 6:00 p.m. every night.
Look, carnivals are pricey. You know it, I know it. If you have kids who want to ride the Zipper until they’re green, look for the wristband nights. Usually, there's at least one night where a flat fee gets you unlimited rides. If you go on a non-wristband night, you’ll find yourself burning through tickets faster than a K-State student burns through a scholarship check at Aggieville.
Why Pottorf Hall is the Real MVP
If the heat index hits 105—which, let’s be real, it’s Manhattan in July, it probably will—Pottorf Hall is your sanctuary. It’s air-conditioned. It’s quiet. And it’s filled with the "Open Class" and 4-H indoor exhibits.
This is where you see the "human" side of the fair. You’ve got photography, hand-sewn quilts, and the legendary Kolache baking contest. Riley County has deep Czech roots, and the baking competition on July 24th is legitimate business. They judge them in the morning, and then they sell them off. If you want a real taste of the county, get there early for a kolache.
Surprising Stuff You'll Find in the Blue Ribbon Section
- Building Creations: This is basically the LEGO category. Some of these kids spend hundreds of hours on these.
- Geology: Kansas is a rock-hunter's dream if you know where to look. The displays of local flint and fossils are actually pretty educational.
- The "Cloverbuds": These are the 5- and 6-year-olds. They don't compete for "Grand Champion," but they get to show off their pets or crafts. It’s adorable and keeps the tradition alive for the next generation.
The "What People Get Wrong" Part
Most people think the fair is just for farmers. It’s not.
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Riley County is a weird mix. You have the University (K-State), the Army (Fort Riley), and the actual rural farming community. The fair is the one time of year these three groups actually sit on the same bleachers eating the same greasy corn dogs.
Another misconception? That you have to be in 4-H to enter things. Open Class is for everyone. If you live in Riley County and you’ve got a killer tomato plant or you’ve taken a cool photo of the Flint Hills, you can enter it. You might only win a $2 ribbon, but the bragging rights are forever.
Practical Advice for Your 2025 Visit
If you're planning to head out this July, here is the "insider" game plan to make sure you actually enjoy yourself instead of just sweating through your shirt:
Hydrate before you arrive. Don't rely on $4 bottles of water at the stands. Drink a gallon during the day. The humidity in the livestock barns is no joke.
Watch the "Pedal Tractor Pull." It’s usually on the first or second day for the little kids. It’s basically a weight-pulling contest with tiny toy tractors. It’s surprisingly intense.
Check the judging schedule. If you want to see the animals, don't go on Monday afternoon. Most of them are being loaded onto trailers by then. Friday and Saturday are the peak "animal" days.
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Bring cash. A lot of the smaller food vendors and the 4-H Bake Sale (which has the best cookies, hands down) are cash-heavy. Don't be the person holding up the line trying to find a chip reader that works on spotty fairground Wi-Fi.
Your Next Steps
If you want to be more than just a spectator this year, here’s how to get involved:
- Download the Fairbook: The Riley County Extension office usually posts the full PDF by May. It has every single rule for every single category.
- Pre-register: If you’re entering the Open Class (flowers, photos, baking), check the deadlines. Some require entry forms weeks in advance, while others are "bring it the day of."
- Volunteer: They are always looking for people to help "watch" the buildings or help with set-up. It’s a great way to meet the people who actually run the show.
The Riley County Fair isn't just a dated tradition. It’s a reminder that even in a world of TikTok and AI, there’s still something deeply satisfying about a perfectly grown watermelon and a well-trained calf. See you at CiCo Park.