What the Pima County Fair Is
The Pima County Fair is the yearly showcase for Pima County 4-H and FFA youth, who bring beef, lambs, goats, swine, dairy animals, rabbits, cavies, poultry, pigeons, dogs and horses to Tucson to be judged, shown and, for the market animals, sold. The 2026 fair ran April 16 to 26, and the 4-H and FFA Premium Book lists the 2027 fair as April 15 to 25, 2027. The Premium Book is the rulebook for every project that can be exhibited.
Projects You Can Show
| Group | Projects |
|---|---|
| Large stock | Beef, Boer goat, lamb, dairy cattle, dairy goat, swine |
| Small stock | Cavy, rabbit, poultry, dog, pygmy goat, pigeon |
| Other | Horse, shooting sports, Old Pueblo Hall (building exhibits) |
Recent rule changes in the Premium Book: lamb, swine and goat carcass check-in is on the first Saturday at the swine scale in the back corner of the livestock ramada, breeding gilts must carry Pima County ear tags, and swine is Pima County Bred and Fed only.
How It Works: The Timeline (2026 Schedule)
- First weekend: Dog, horse, cavy and rabbit shows. Cavy and rabbit auction forms are due to the coordinator at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, followed by mandatory exhibitor meetings at 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday, April 18: Swine carcass check-in 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.; market lamb and goat carcass check-in 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. (these animals have no live show); swine carcass live show at 6:00 p.m.
- Monday, April 20: Check-in for swine, lamb, goat, dairy, beef, poultry and pigeons, with mandatory exhibitor meetings at 8:00 p.m. for lamb and goat, beef and swine.
- April 21 to 23: Lamb, swine, goat, dairy and beef market and showmanship classes, including Arizona Bred and Fed classes. Thursday evening brings a beef chicken dinner and a 4-H/FFA dance.
- Friday, April 24: Livestock judging at 10:00 a.m., small stock round robin at 5:00 p.m., large stock round robin at 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, April 25: Large stock auction at 11:45 a.m. in the Livestock Ramada.
- Sunday, April 26: Beef quiz bowl at 10:00 a.m., small stock auction at 10:30 a.m., farewell meeting and awards at 4:30 p.m., and livestock check-out at 6:00 p.m.
The Auctions and What You Get
The Pima County Junior Livestock (PCJLSI) auctions are where market projects turn into sale money.
- Livestock auction: market steers, lambs, hogs and market goats, limited to 350 lots.
- Small stock auction: rabbit, cavy, poultry, pigeon and pygmy goat projects. Blue-ribbon breed animals, meat pens and fryers may sell; pet-class animals may not.
- Who may sell: exhibitors must be Quality Assurance certified and in good standing with 4-H and/or FFA.
- Ribbons: blue animals sell individually, red animals sell individually or in group lots, white animals do not sell.
- Paid weights: up to 280 lb for swine, 150 lb for sheep, 1,250 lb for steers and 120 lb for market goats.
- Commission: 10 percent on livestock and 15 percent on small stock.
Exhibitors also earn ribbons and showmanship placings, and the round robin contests crown the top showmen. Sale money is held until drug and residue tests are complete, and exhibitors must mail a thank-you letter to their buyer before the check is released.
Key Auction Deadlines (2026)
- W-9 required at weigh-in or check-in.
- Small stock sales agreements, signed by a parent or guardian: 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 22.
- Livestock withdrawal slips to the auction clerk: 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23.
- White-ribbon and non-qualifying livestock must leave the grounds before 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 24.
- Dress code help must be requested at least 48 hours before the sale.
Questions
Do I have to show my own animal in the sale?
Yes. Exhibitors must take their own animal through the ring. Missing the ring sequence can limit proceeds to the floor price less commissions and fees.
What if a buyer's animal is condemned?
If it is condemned for a reason other than illegal drug use, the buyer may void the purchase or accept a replacement carcass of equal value at the exhibitor's expense.
Where do I find my project's rules?
The Pima County 4-H and FFA Premium Book has general animal science rules, large and small stock rules, auction rules, and a page for each project.
Official Links
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 4-H Stock Show and Roundup
Statewide 4-H and FFA show with largestock classes (beef, swine, lambs, goats, dairy), smallstock (rabbits, cavies, poultry) and judging and quiz bowl contests. Registration closes January 15, 2027.
- Arizona Association FFA Spring Conference
Statewide FFA spring contests on February 26-27, 2027 at the University of Arizona campus and farm; dairy, vet science and horse evaluation are held off campus.
Tucson, AZ | Organizer: Arizona FFA Official event details - Arizona FFA Summit Conference - Tucson
Southern Arizona FFA Summit Conference on September 28, 2026 at the Sheraton Hotel Tucson, part of the statewide leadership series.
Tucson, AZ | Organizer: Arizona FFA 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.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.