Carnival & Fair News

Logandale, Nevada was once again home to the Clark County Fair and Rodeo. The event ran April 9 through 13 and drew 102,721 attendees, a slight drop from last year's 106,453. Weather doubtlessly played a part in the slightly lower crowds, according to Todd Robison, the event's executive director. There were two days of high heat, and high winds rolled in on Saturday the 12th. Most attendees skew local, but approximately 13% come from outside the Clark County area.

Despite the heat, the rodeo, remained a strong draw, among a robust mix of attractions and events that included a carnival presented by Brown's Amusements, live musical entertainment, and exhibits.

Entertainment coordinator Denise Robison related that “Our biggest focus is to bring families together and provide something for all ages.”

Fair admission was priced at $15, or at $50 for all five days. Admission provided access to exhibits, shows, and entertainment. An unlimited carnival ride wristband was priced at $35 for presale purchase, rising to $50 if purchased at the gate from Brown's. Rodeo tickets started at $25. Purchase of a ride wristband or rodeo admission included admission to the fair itself. For attendees specifically interested in the carnival only, a $30 unlimited ride wristband was available that excluded fair admission. This year's theme was “Blaze a Trail to Logandale.”

Brown's Amusements provided 35 carnival rides in all. Among the top rides were the Freak Out, Viper, Zipper, the YoYo, Gravitron, Orbiter, Zero Gravity, and the Fun Slide. The company also offered games and food items such as funnel cakes, cotton candy, and corn dogs. Brown's midway has local roots, with company owner Danny Brown having grown up in the region.

Event spokesman Makenzie Taunau'u asserts that the event organizers “do our best to put on a fantastic show,” and keep the event fresh and exciting for attendees. A new canine stunt show featuring trained rescue dogs debuted this year called Puppy Pals. The pups were a big draw for fairgoers, Taunau'u says.

Events throughout the fairground also included the ever-popular All-Alaskan Racing Pigs, Buckets n' Boards comedy percussion, and performances by Tyzen the hypnotist and illusionist Sean Watson. Also on hand: Tumbleweed Crossing, a stunt show that included a Wild West gunfight. The Alaskan Pig Races pulled in standing-room crowds, with finish line judges and cheerleaders drawn from among the attendees.

Also popular was the one-man Major League Circus Show, which included acrobatics, baseball and even some fire in a performance that also involved audience members.

The fair organization continues to add more activities for kids, Robison says, adding that he has seen firsthand that kids and their families are “making memories of a lifetime” along with their families. With that in mind, the kids tent added a mini playground and rodeo themed toys and play areas for the youngest attendees. Returning this year was the shaded Sandbox area, for family relaxation.

16 free strolling and stage entertainers were on hand this year. Included among them were local bands, dance performers, comedians, and clown acts. A wide range of live bands performed including country and rock acts. Headliners included Somebody Like KU, a tribute to Keith Urban, and ‘90s country cover band Hazard County. Also performing was the pop/folk/rock Junebugs, and Lienzzo Norteño – Los Amos Del Carril.

On the smaller Showcase Stage, crowd favorites included local acts Fusion Pom and Dance and the Muddy River Cloggers which drew a large crowd. Also performing were Reflection Dance, MV Tumbling, and the Bowler Choir, the latter two drawing standing-room crowds.

As to the PRCA and WPRA National Finals Rodeo, viewers could enjoy bull riding, bronc riding, roping, barrel racing and more. The rodeo has been the fair's big event since 1988. Robison attests “We get the biggest rodeo names.” Over 600 top rodeo contestants compete each year.



Winners this year included a tie in bareback riding between Cole Franks and Tilden Hooper; Chet Pulsipher and Jose Torres in the sponsor roping contest; and in the crowd favorite bull riding event, Australian Ky Hamilton bested World Champion Stetson Wright with 90 points to 89.5. All-around cowboy: Brushton Minton.

The rodeo arena was also the location for mutton bustin', and the Clark County Junior Livestock Show. Todd Robison notes “Mutton bustin' is a huge success” for the event every year, and 2025 was no exception. There was a strong turnout of those wanting to compete in and to watch children aged 4-7 vying for a gold buckle in mutton bustin'.

Animals were key the event beyond those in the rodeo itself. FHA and 4H participants presented livestock, and in the Small Animal Barn, rabbits, goats, pigs, llamas, and emus drew kids and adults alike. Also in this area were mini horses, a live chick hatchery, and an interactive model of a cow, that allowed kids to “milk” it.

Indoors, fairgoers enjoyed arts and crafts in the Fine Arts Building, including photos, horticulture, quilts, paintings, science projects and LEGO dioramas. The building housed a replica of a small country store offering handmade quilts and clothing, while an in-house bakery served up fresh and reasonably priced treats.

Also located in the exhibit halls was the Nevada Department of Wildlife exhibit, where kids 12 and under could go trout fishing in an indoor pond, and those 18 and under could learn to shoot a bow and arrow at targets, while learning about responsible hunting. The exhibit also featured live birds of prey, including a falcon and kestrel, both familiar sights in the area.

Additionally, a commercial tent held a plethora of vendors selling varied wares such as jewelry, gemstones and rocks, candles, and clothing. There were also booths dedicated to health services, and local community charitable organizations, including local nonprofit The Aspire Center for Adolescents and Adults with Disabilities, which offered a wide range of raffle items including quilts.

In the Rotary Club Tent, volunteers served cold beer with funds earmarked for local high school scholarships.

Fairgoers certainly didn't reach for a cold brew on an empty stomach. Popular food booth offerings included cold lemonade, local BBQ, gourmet burgers, tacos, smoothies, Brazilian treats, Greek cuisine, dessert offerings such as churros and crepes, a grilled raclette sandwich, baked potatoes, and pizza.



Todd Robison summed up the event, saying that “My favorite part of the fair is just watching people enjoy themselves.” Robison also thanked volunteers for making the fair successful, noting that participation has endured for generations. Denise Robison related that her grandfather was one of the founding fathers of the event, now helmed by her husband.



The Clark County Fair and Rodeo Board has already begun planning for their 2026 event.