What the Cochise County Fair Is
The Cochise County Fair is the annual four-day fair at the Cochise County Fairgrounds, 3677 N. Leslie Canyon Road, Douglas, AZ 85607. It is run by the Cochise County Fair Association, a nonprofit organized in 1924 and governed by a volunteer board, and it celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024. The 101st fair ran September 25 to 28, 2025 and drew more than 50,000 visitors, and the 2026 fair ran September 24 to 27. The 47-acre grounds include a rodeo arena, livestock barns, horse stalls and several indoor buildings.
What Happens at the Fair
- Rodeos, including a Ranch and Youth Rodeo, and the Cochise College Rodeo on Friday and Saturday nights
- Junior livestock shows and an auction, with 4-H and FFA youth taking part
- Livestock judging, crop and produce displays, and baking and crafts contests
- Carnival rides and games, live music, food vendors (more than 70 vendors in 2024) and a licensed bar
- An opening ceremony on Thursday at 5 p.m. in 2024
In 2025 the fair was open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., staying open until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights.
The Junior Livestock Program: A Sample Timeline
The Extension schedule published for the 2023 fair shows how the junior livestock week is laid out. Expect a similar pattern, but confirm the current schedule with the fair office.
| Day | Shows |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 8:00 a.m. small stock showmanship and breed judging; 1:00 p.m. dairy cattle, Beef Builders and breeding beef; 2:00 p.m. breeding sheep; 2:30 p.m. breeding meat goat; 3:00 p.m. pygmy goats; 5:00 p.m. breeding and market swine and swine showmanship |
| Friday | 8:00 a.m. dairy goat and pack goat; 9:00 a.m. market beef and beef showmanship; 10:30 a.m. market goat and meat goat showmanship; 1:00 p.m. market lamb and sheep showmanship; 3:30 p.m. costume contest |
| Saturday | Small stock buyer's breakfast and auction in the morning; large stock buyer's luncheon 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., then the large stock auction at 1:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | 8:00 a.m. Round Robin; 1:00 p.m. junior livestock awards ceremony; 4:00 p.m. animals released from the barns |
| Monday | Sale animals going to packing houses are loaded out by the superintendents |
The Saturday auction is where market animals sell, and the Sunday Round Robin and awards close out the exhibitor week.
Who Can Enter
Junior livestock is for youth, including 4-H and FFA members. Class lists, fees and entry deadlines come from the fair association and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension in Cochise County, so ask the fair office before the fair.
Admission
Admission cost varies and was not published in the most recent announcement, so check the fair website or call before you go.
Questions
Is there a rodeo?
Yes. Rodeo events are part of the fair, including the Ranch and Youth Rodeo and the Cochise College Rodeo.
When is the livestock auction?
On Saturday of the fair, with a small stock auction in the morning and the large stock auction at 1:00 p.m. in the 2023 schedule.
Who do I call?
The Cochise County Fair Association: 520-364-3819.
Official Links
- Cochise County Fair
- 2025 Cochise County Fair: dates, hours, contact
- Fair association overview
- Junior livestock schedule of events (2023)
- Centennial coverage
Arizona County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Arizona youth shows run through county Extension offices, 4-H clubs and FFA chapters, and each show publishes its own rules. Dates run from January roundups to the State Fair in October.
Examples
The Arizona 4-H Stock Show and Roundup is set for January 30 and 31, 2027 in Tucson, with registration closing January 15. The Yavapai County Fair ran September 10 to 13, 2026 at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. The Arizona State Fair ran October 1 to November 1, 2026, with its Sale of Champions on October 3.
Who can show
The State Fair says youth competitions are for ages 8 to 18. The Roundup uses Junior (8 to 10), Intermediate (11 to 13) and Senior (14 to 18) divisions.
Rules to check
Pima County asks members to complete Arizona Youth Livestock Quality Assurance training and ties each animal to an ownership deadline, a tag and a weigh-in. Weights, tagging and sale rules differ by show.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office for the premium book and entry dates before you buy an animal.
Read the full guide: Arizona County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Cochise College Rodeo
Intercollegiate rodeo sanctioned by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association and run at the Cochise County Fairgrounds in Douglas. Earlier editions took place September 28-29, 2018 and September 29-30, 2022; the latest is September 25-26, 2026.
3677 N Leslie Canyon Road, Douglas, AZ 85607 | Organizer: Cochise College Rodeo Team Official event details - Central Arizona Farmer Field Day
Annual morning field day for central Arizona growers run by the University of Arizona Pinal County agronomy program, with cotton, small grain and forage research results; set for November 18, 2026.
Casa Grande, AZ | 520-836-5221 | Organizer: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Official event details - Arizona National Livestock Show
Billed as the largest livestock show in the Southwest, it draws youth exhibitors with about 2,500 cattle, horses, sheep, goats and swine; 2026 runs December 27-31.
- Arizona National Livestock Show Livestock Judging Classic
Livestock judging contest where entrants rank cattle, sheep, swine and goats and give oral reasons; the junior division for 4-H and FFA runs during the Phoenix livestock show.
Phoenix, AZ | Organizer: Arizona National Livestock Show Official event details - Arizona FFA Pinnacle Senior Conference
Senior leadership conference for Arizona FFA members, scheduled January 22-23, 2027 at Peoria High School alongside a mini leadership camp.
Peoria, AZ | Organizer: Arizona FFA Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.