Beef Empire Days celebration set for May 30 to June 8
The Beef Empire Days committee has been celebrating beef for 57 years and 2025 is no different.
More than a dozen events will be held during the annual event’s 10-day run in and around Garden City, Kansas. Join in to honor the age-old traditions in events from May 30 to June 8 like a ranch rodeo, beef production skills contest and of course, the many food-centered happenings.
The Live and Carcass Shows have been cornerstones of the event since its inception in the late 1960s. Cattle will arrive at the Finney County Fairgrounds where they will be sorted and judged throughout the morning on June 3.
Once selections have been made the exhibited animals will be harvested and judged on carcass production. Carcasses will be available for viewing during the carcass show June 6 at Tyson. Winners of the event will be announced at the Awards Banquet on June 6 at the Clarion Inn.
According to their website, the BED board of directors is comprised of 13 members and three ex-officio members. Through the years beef has been at the center of the group’s goals, which include advancement in the production and quality of beef, improvement of communications, continued education, and promotion of beef. These are the goals that guide the board of directors and the many volunteers who work diligently to organize the events that make up Beef Empire Days.
This year there are more than a dozen events geared to the cattle feeding industry, the arts and humanities, and the athletes of the High Plains area. Each of these events is made possible by a dedicated chairman or chairwoman and one or more financial sponsors.
For more information about Beef Empire Days and to find a full schedule, visit www.beefempiredays.com.
Beef Empire Days partial schedule
Friday, May 30
—7 p.m., Specialty Risk Insurance Ranch Rodeo, Finney County Fairgrounds.
Saturday, May 31
—11:30 a.m., Commerce Bank Chuckwagons in the Park, Stevens Park.
—2 p.m., Sunflower Livestock Showdown, hosted by Beef Empire Days, Finney County Fairgrounds, West Pavilion and Show Ring.
—7 p.m., Bulls Broncs & Rodeo, Driven by Legacy Auto—KPRA Rodeo, Finney County Fairgrounds Arena.
Sunday, June 1
—7:30 a.m., Sunflower Livestock Showdown hosted by Beef Empire Days, Finney County Fairgrounds, West Pavilion and Show Ring.
—9 a.m., Empirical Timed Events—Barrel Race, Finney County Fairgrounds Arena.
—12 p.m., Empirical Timed Events—Team Roping, Finney County Fairgrounds Arena.
Tuesday, June 3
9 a.m., Merck Animal Health Live Show, Finney County Fairgrounds.
12 p.m., Scoular Grain Cattleman’s Steak Cookout, Finney County Fairgrounds.
5:30 p.m., Beef Empire Days Sponsors Reception, Moonlight Harvest.
7:30 p.m., People’s Choice Auction, Moonlight Harvest.
Thursday, June 5
10 a.m., Beef Empire Days Cattle Working Contest Finale, Cobalt Cattle, Satanta.
Friday, June 6
2 p.m., Carcass Show at Tyson Foods, Tyson Processing Plant, Holcomb.
6 p.m., Awards Banquet, Clarion Inn.
Saturday, June 7
1 to 3 p.m., Beef, Boots & Community Roots, Stevens Park.
8 to 11:30 p.m., Beef, Boots & Community Roots, Stevens Park.
Sunday, June 8
7 a.m., Tailgate in the Park—Rules meeting, Stevens Park.
12:30 p.m., Tailgate in the Park—Hamburger Feed, Stevens Park.
4 p.m., Tailgate in the Park—Judging, Stevens Park.
4:15 p.m., Beef Empire Days Cattle Crawl, The Baron’s Steakhouse.
September
Garden City Community College Intercollegiate Meats Judging Contest.
Kylene Scott can be reached at 620-227-1804 or [email protected].
