What the Maricopa County Fair Is
The Maricopa County Fair takes over the Arizona Exposition and State Fairgrounds, 1826 West McDowell Road in Phoenix, for ten days: April 2 to 11, 2027, closed Monday through Wednesday. It combines youth livestock shows and auctions, county exhibits, three entertainment stages, an arena, a carnival and school field trips. Entertainment other than carnival rides is free with admission.
Ways to Take Part
Youth livestock and small stock
The fair hosts Youth Livestock Shows and Small Stock Shows. Annual auctions let youth sell their projects to fund college, further education and future project animals, and buyers can support youth by bidding. Youth who want to raise an animal can join a club such as 4-H or FFA. The barns also host an Agricultural Mechanics contest.
Competitive exhibits
Categories include art, baking, photography, quilting and woodworking. The Exhibit Building shows crafts, art and quilts by county residents, along with hands-on agriculture and safety activities.
Performing on the Community Stage
Groups that sing, dance, twirl or play music can apply for one-hour slots each day of the fair. Applications are due March 8, 2027. Performers are not paid but get free admission and parking on their performance day.
School Field Trips
Field trips run Thursday, April 8 and Friday, April 9, 2027, and are free for county public, private and home schools. Gates open at 11 a.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. Friday. Students see livestock and exhibits in sewing, photography and school art, plus Farm Tours, Farmer for a Day and the Safety Zone. Several food vendors offer a $7 lunch deal, so bring at least $7 per student. Teachers register through an online application.
Admission, Parking and Rides
- Admission: $10 for ages 8 and up; ages 7 and under are free. Tickets are sold online or at the gate and are valid for the whole fair.
- Same-day re-entry needs a handstamp.
- Official fairground parking: $13.
- Carnival (Butler Amusements): ride and game tickets are $1.00 each, with rides taking 3 to 10 tickets. Wristbands are $35 early and $45 later.
- Read to Ride: students in grades K-6 can ride 4 rides free on one Thursday with a reading form.
- Scooter rental: standard $75 a day, heavy-duty $100; wagons $35.
Rules at the Gate
No pets and no outside food. Each person may bring one unopened bottle of water.
Fees, Awards and What You Get
The fair gives back through scholarships: in 2025 it awarded $144,500 to 23 youth. Applicants must be high school seniors or first-year full-time college students (at least 12 credits) under 22, live in Maricopa County, have a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and have attended the fair at least twice including the application year. Entering an exhibit or volunteering counts as participation. Donations go directly to the scholarship fund; call 602-252-0717 ext. 403.
What to See
- Main Stage under a tent, County Fair Stage with County Fair Games, and Community Stage for local performers
- Arena monster truck shows
- Sea lions and food on the Avenue
- SRP Safety Zone and County Fair Games for kids
Questions
Who do I call?
The fair office, 602-252-0717 (ext. 401). Office hours are weekdays.
Are tickets good for another day?
Yes. Admission tickets are non-refundable but valid for the whole fair.
Is there a way to get in free?
The fair runs a Canned Food Drive: bring 5 non-perishable food items for free admission during set hours.
Official Links
- Maricopa County Fair FAQ
- Field trips, scholarships and Community Stage
- Maricopa County 4-H fair program
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
- 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 - Cave Creek Rodeo Days
Western-town rodeo festival at Cave Creek Memorial Arena; the 2026 run was March 26-29, and Rodeo Days is held each spring.
37201 N 28th St, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 | Organizer: Cave Creek Rodeo Days Official event details - Legends of the West Pro Rodeo
Two-day pro rodeo at the Everett Bowman Rodeo Arena in Wickenburg; the 2026 dates were April 3-4 and the rodeo repeats annually.
935 Constellation Rd, Wickenburg, AZ 85390 | Organizer: Legends of the West Pro Rodeo Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.