The Polk County Fair is held at 12927 N Boulevard in Osceola over five days in the second week of July, and the carnival is free. The demolition derby is the fair’s identity: the tradition began here in 1971 and the county has been called the gearhead capital of Nebraska, home to tractor pullers and oval-track racers, with the 2026 derby drawing nearly forty cars across three classes. Local legend Gary Schlesinger competed in 289 derbies and won here three years running. Fathers who once competed now back their sons in the same event. The rest of the week carries a farmers market, a themed parade, figure-eight racing, go-kart races, barrel racing, mutton bustin’, a Sunday car show and a cornhole tournament.