Get Moo-ving! Ag Experience Returns to Cantaloupe Festival

One of the most popular attractions at the Fallon Cantaloupe Festival & Country Fair is back and better than ever. Redesigned last year under the leadership of Joe Frey, the Ag Experience is now a fully immersive exhibit that highlights the role of agriculture in everyday life.

Designed for both children and adults, the Ag Experience invites families to explore together, learn how food is grown, and discover how agriculture continues to shape the community. The self-guided tour begins inside the Rafter 3C building, continues through the Dry Gulch, and wraps around to the animal sheds. Several local ag-related organizations will be part of the exhibit again this year, including FFA, 4-H, High Desert Grange, and the Churchill County Farm Bureau. Volunteers from across the community help bring the Ag Experience to life.

All attractions are included with a weekend festival ticket, which allows guests to revisit exhibits, booths, and entertainment throughout the event.

Festivalgoers should also explore the exhibit hall, where locals will showcase their talents in arts and crafts, amateur photography, canning and preserving, quilting, and more.

In addition to the fun and flavor of the festival, local talent will be on full display in this year’s Country Fair exhibits. From quilts and photography to homegrown cantaloupes and canned goods, the exhibit hall highlights the creativity, craftsmanship, and agricultural pride of Nevada residents.

All entries and judging will take place in the Barrel Room (formerly the Multi-Purpose Building), with scheduled entry and judging times for each category listed below. The exhibits will be open to the public throughout the weekend, offering a chance to admire the work of neighbors, friends, and fellow community members.

Also returning is the fan-favorite Cutest Little Cowgirl and Cowboy Contest, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. on the Pavilion Stage. More information on how to participate will be available soon. 

Don’t forget to say hello to this year’s Cantaloupe Festival Royalty—Queen Annabelle Forshee and King Elijah Southfield—who will help celebrate 40 years of agricultural heritage, community pride, and local flavor.

Heads up, festival guests! This year, entry into the festival has moved from the old ticketing booths to the main front entrance of the Rafter 3C Arena. Clear signage will be posted to help direct traffic. Be sure to enter through the front doors to get your wristband and start the festival fun without delay.

With live music, dancing, incredible food, truck and tractor pulls, vendors, a carnival, and so much more, this year’s Fallon Cantaloupe Festival & Country Fair promises something for everyone.

For the full festival schedule and event guide, be sure to check out the Aug. 22 edition of The Fallon Post.

Country Fair Exhibits

Listed below are the dates and times entries will be accepted, along with corresponding judging times. All entries and judging take place in The Barrel Room (formerly the Multi-Purpose Building).

Monday, August 18, 2025 – Section 2: Quilts | Entry: 9 a.m.–12 p.m., 2–6 p.m. | Judging: Tuesday, 9 a.m.
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 – Section 1: Amateur Photography | Entry: 3–7 p.m. | Judging: Wednesday, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 – Section 3: Crafts & Hobbies | Entry: 2–7 p.m. | Judging: Wednesday, 9 a.m.
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 – Sections 4–8: Fine Arts, Knitting & Crochet, Needlework, Sewing, Home Arts & Furnishings | Entry: 2–7 p.m. | Judging: Wednesday, 9 a.m.
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 – Sections 9 & 10: Food Preservation, Food & Nutrition | Entry: 4–7 p.m. | Judging: Thursday, 4 p.m.
Thursday, August 21, 2025 – Sections 11 & 12: Fruits & Vegetables, Roses & Flowers + Special Section: Cantaloupe Growing | Entry: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. | Judging: Fruits & Vegetables at 1 p.m., Food Preservation at 4 p.m., Food & Nutrition at 4 p.m., Roses & Flowers at 7 p.m.

Exhibit Guidelines and General Rules

General Rules

1. Any Nevada resident (youth or adult) may exhibit. Judging is limited to entries by amateurs only.
2. All entries must be entered under the creator’s name only and must be solely the work of the entrant.
3. Exhibits must be presented as required by Section. See the section page for entry times and additional rules. No late entries will be accepted.
4. All entries must include an exhibit tag, which will be provided at the time of entry.
5. All classes and entry times are the same for youth and adult.
6. Entries will be limited as stated in specific sections.
7. No offensive exhibit entries will be accepted. If visible characteristics of the exhibit eliminates the exhibit from consideration of an award, it will not be accepted at the time of entry.
8. All exhibits will be in The Barrel Room (formerly the multi-purpose building), which will be open to the public on Friday of the festival, from 1pm to 9pm, Saturday of the festival from 9am to 9pm, and Sunday of the festival, from 9am to 4pm.
9. Entries must be the individual’s own work and be completed between August 2024 and August 2025, unless specifically noted in the section rules.
10. All entries must be displayed for the entire fair. No entries will be removed before 5pm Sunday of the festival. Early removal will result in the forfeiture of all ribbons and awards.
11. All exhibits are to be picked up at the designated times. If they are not picked up, they will become the property of the Fallon Festival Association Fair Committee and may be disposed of or destroyed.
12. Claim tickets must be turned in to redeem exhibits.
13. No prize monies will be awarded unless otherwise stated on the section page.
14. Judges have the right to subdivide or combine all classes for judging.
15. All judge’s decisions are FINAL.
16. All general rules apply to youth and adult participants.
17. No food or beverages of any kind are allowed in the exhibit hall.
18. The Fallon Festival Association Fair Committee reserves the right to settle all arguments that may arise in the interpretation of the rules.