The Butte County Fair runs Aug. 27-30 in Gridley. Photo courtesy of Butte County Fair

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Rodeo, motorcycle racing and crashing cars will take over the grandstand during the final three days of the Butte County Fair, with events scheduled Friday through Sunday at the Butte County Fairgrounds.

The grandstand lineup begins Friday, Aug. 28, with the Jeff Mardesich Memorial Roping, followed by Flat Track MotoX Racing on Saturday, Aug. 29, and the Destruction Derby on Sunday, Aug. 30.

The Jeff Mardesich Memorial Roping starts at 6 p.m. Friday in the arena. The event is free with paid fair admission.

Team roping pairs two riders against the clock. The header ropes the steer by the horns before the heeler attempts to rope its hind legs. The event tests the riders' timing and coordination as they work to complete the run in the shortest time.

The memorial roping will also put a recent improvement to the fairgrounds arena to use. Volunteers and area businesses helped construct a new cattle return intended to support rodeo events during the fair and other events held throughout the year.

The Butte County Fair and Mardesich family credited Triston Benedict, Patrick Benedict of RTB Engineering, Sean Earley, Blake Earley and Brayden Baker with helping construct the cattle return.

Motorcycles replace horses in the arena Saturday for Flat Track MotoX Racing. Gates open at 3 p.m. for heat races, with the main event scheduled for 7 p.m.

The program will feature motorcycles competing on the fairgrounds dirt track. Youth riders will also have an opportunity to participate, with trophies and prizes available for children.

Grandstand tickets for Saturday's races cost $10 in addition to general fair admission. Racing tickets are available at https://buttecountyfair.ticketspice.com/butte-county-fair-2026.  Riders interested in entering can find information at https://fasttimespromotions.com/?page_id=446.

The grandstand schedule concludes Sunday with the Butte County Fair Destruction Derby. Gates open at 5 p.m. and competition begins at 6 p.m.

The derby will feature four classes, including 1980s stock cars, MWFA, motorhomes and Power Wheels.

The Power Wheel Derby gives younger competitors a chance to enter the arena before or as part of Sunday's program. Children will compete in two age divisions, ages 4-6 and 7-9. Entry costs $25. Helmets are required and the battery-powered vehicles must remain stock, although children may decorate them to resemble derby cars. Four-wheeler-style vehicles are not permitted.

For the full-size competitors, the Destruction Derby will put drivers and their vehicles against one another as they attempt to keep their cars running through repeated collisions. Drivers interested in participating can contact V&R Motorsports or Bobby at 707-301-8324 for entry and rules information.

Sunday grandstand tickets cost $25 in addition to general fair admission. Tickets are available at https://buttecountyfair.ticketspice.com/butte-county-fair-2026.

The Butte County Fair runs Aug. 27-30 in Gridley.