What the Junior Livestock Program at the California Mid-State Fair Is
The California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles is a twelve-day Central Coast fair; the 2026 fair (the 80th, "Back to the 80's") ran July 15-26 and the 2027 fair is July 14-25. Its junior livestock program is where 4-H, FFA, Grange and independent youth show market animals, breeding stock, rabbits and poultry, and sell their market animals at the Junior Livestock Auction.
Who Can Enter
- 4-H Primary: age 5 as of December 31 before the fair; under 9 cannot compete in large animal classes.
- 4-H Junior, Intermediate, Senior: 9 by December 31, through the year the member turns 19.
- FFA: enrolled in a state-approved ag education program, from 7th grade through the year after graduation.
- Grange: 5 by January 1 (9 for large animals). Independents: 9 by January 1.
- Pee Wee: ages 5-8 in special divisions, with no premiums and no auction.
Exhibitors 9 and older need annual YQCA certification, and exhibitors, leaders and advisors must be in good standing with their organization.
Ownership and Project Rules
- Market beef: 120 consecutive days; market swine, sheep, goats and veal: 60 days; breeding and feeder animals, rabbits and poultry: 30 days.
- Market animals with live pickup carry a universal tattoo in the left ear in green ink.
- Sheep and goats need official USDA individual ID; cattle moves need the fair's yellow transportation slips.
- Market lambs must be docked with a healed, liftable tail, and market lambs and goats may not show yearling teeth.
- Drugs and medications must be disclosed, and a medication certificate completed before sale. Drench guns are not allowed.
How the 2026 Fair Week Worked
- Enter online (cmsfl.fairwire.com), upload a photo by July 8, and pay.
- Junior animals arrive 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., July 18-19, with all livestock in place by 2 p.m. July 19.
- Showmanship: swine 8 a.m. July 23, goat and sheep 8:30 a.m. July 23, beef 8 a.m. July 24.
- Market shows July 21: hogs 8 a.m., goats and lambs 8:30 a.m., steers 9 a.m., then the Champion Drive at 6 p.m.
- Replacement Heifer Sale: 5 p.m. July 24. Junior Livestock Auction: 8 a.m. July 25, with two rings. Sale of Champions: 12:30 p.m. July 25.
Fees and Awards
A junior admission credential is $20 and a parent season credential is $35 (up to two per family). Extra substitutions cost at least $5 each, late breeding information $5 per entry, and a late water survey $50. Cash awards are paid only to the exhibitor as recorded on the judging sheet, and animals that miss class requirements get no premium. Sweepstakes points are 5 for first, 3 for second and 1 for third.
Where and Who to Call
Mid-State Fairgrounds, 2198 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles, CA 93446. Fair office: (805) 239-0655; box office: (805) 238-3565. Anyone entering by the Rodeo Gate needs valid admission and a vehicle or trailer pass.
Questions
When are 2027 deadlines?
The 2027 handbook and dates are not yet posted; check midstatefair.com.
Can the youngest children show?
Yes, in Pee Wee divisions, without premiums or auction.
Official Links
California Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
California county and district fairs are where most 4-H and FFA members show and sell market animals. CDFA counts 80 fair organizations: District Agricultural Associations, county fairs, citrus fairs and Cal Expo.
Timing
Fairs run nearly all year. CDFA's 2026 list had Riverside in February and March, Salinas Valley in mid-May, the State Fair from July 17 to August 2 and Big Fresno in October.
Rules to watch
State and 4-H rules require 60 consecutive days of ownership for market sheep, swine and goats and 120 for market beef, per the 4-H handbook. Junior livestock exhibitors must also complete YQCA training each year.
Auctions
Monterey's 2025 livestock rules describe a terminal sale with a 9.0 percent selling charge and required thank-you letters. Other fairs differ.
Next steps
Get your fair's exhibitor book from the fair office or Extension 4-H office and mark ownership, entry and YQCA dates. Dates and weights change each year.
Read the full guide: California Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- CCPRA Finals Rodeo
Season-ending finals of the CCPRA circuit in Red Bluff, November 27-28, 2026.
Red Bluff, CA | Organizer: California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association Official event details - San Joaquin County Fair
Winter holiday-season fair at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton, scheduled December 3-20, 2026. Family entertainment and local exhibits.
1658 S. Airport Way, Stockton, CA Official event details - NYE Kick-Off CCPRA Rodeo
New Year's Eve rodeo in Red Bluff, December 31, 2026, that starts the next CCPRA season.
Red Bluff, CA | Organizer: California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association Official event details - World Ag Expo
World's largest annual agricultural show, February 9-11, 2027, with more than 1,200 exhibitors on 2.6 million sq ft and about 100,000 visitors from over 70 countries.
- California FFA State Leadership Conference
Statewide FFA leadership conference in Ontario drawing thousands of high school members and advisors. The 2026 conference ran Mar 21-24; the next is March 20-23, 2027.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.