What Rockin' the Ridge Is
Rockin' the Ridge is a market hog show for 4-H and FFA students, run by the Fannin County FFA Alumni at 43 Station Ridge in Blue Ridge, Georgia. The 2026 show is the fifth annual edition and takes place on November 13 and 14, 2026. It is a 100 percent payback show: the entire pot goes back out in class payouts.
Who Can Enter
The show is open to all eligible 4-H and FFA students who are currently enrolled in school. There is no limit on how many hogs one exhibitor can bring, but the whole show is capped at the first 175 hog entries received, and no late entries are accepted. Each exhibitor must show his or her own animal without help from an adult or older exhibitor in the ring (unless the exhibitor has more than one hog in the same class), and must keep continuous full ownership and provide primary care for the project.
Divisions
| Division | Notes |
|---|---|
| Crossbred Market Gilt | Shown by weight; gilts and barrows show separately |
| Crossbred Market Barrow | Shown by weight |
| Purebred Market Gilt | Shown by breed and weight; a breed needs 5 or more head to open a class |
| Purebred Market Barrow | Same; smaller breeds go to All Other Breeds |
Market gilts and barrows must weigh between 60 and 200 lbs. Purebred barrows and gilts must have been farrowed in June, July or August 2026 and must come with proof of date of birth and registration number at check-in. Grand and Reserve go to the top two from each of the four divisions, and for the first time the Grand Champion of each division returns for Supreme Market Hog. Showmanship classes (Novice, Intermediate, Junior and Senior) are set by the number of entries.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Enter early. Entries are taken first come, first served until 175 hogs are in.
- Check in and weigh in on Friday, November 13, from 4 to 7 p.m., or Saturday, November 14, from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Every animal must be checked in and weighed on one of those two windows.
- Show on Saturday, November 14, with class sizes set by weight and number of entries.
There are no re-weighs once a hog leaves the scale area; raise any question about a weight when it is announced.
Fees
- Entry fee: $35 per animal.
- Showmanship fee: $15, charged per entry.
- Shavings are not provided but are on sale for $9 per bag; mark the number of bags on the entry form.
- No refunds if you cannot attend, because of show costs and prize planning.
Health, Tags and Barn Rules
- Every hog needs an official health certificate and must be PRV and brucellosis negative.
- Every hog needs a clean, readable ear tag.
- Hogs will be penned two to a pen because of space, so bring a divider if needed.
- Do not use empty pens for tack or take shavings from other pens. No clipping pigs at the show.
- Trailer parking is limited. You may show off the trailer, but showing out of the barn is easier.
- The judge's decision is final in all classes. The FFA Alumni and anyone associated with the show are not liable for accidents, injuries or theft.
Where to Go
Fannin County Ag Facility, 43 Station Ridge, Blue Ridge, GA 30513.
Questions
Can I bring more than one pig?
Yes. There is no per-exhibitor limit, but the 175-entry cap applies to the whole show.
Can I sign up late?
No. No late entries are accepted.
Can I get my money back if I cannot come?
No, no refunds are issued.
Who do I call?
Tim Nicholson, Fannin FFA Alumni president and show coordinator, at 706-455-2710.
Official Links
- 2026 Rockin' the Ridge rules and entry information
- Georgia 4-H show calendar
- Earlier Rockin' the Ridge rules sheet
Georgia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Georgia's youth livestock season runs from January jackpots to the Georgia National Fair in Perry, which ran through October 18 in 2026, per WTOC. The top show is the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show in Perry: lambs and goats October 7 to 11, 2026, and hogs, beef, heifers, ewes and does February 17 to 20, 2027, per Georgia 4-H.
Who can show
Georgia 4-H and FFA members who have not finished high school. Grade minimums run from 1st grade for lambs and goats to 4th grade for beef.
Tags and papers
Market lambs and goats need state ear tags by August 1 and hogs by December 5. Livestock need a veterinary inspection certificate.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension agent or ag teacher for the fair book and entry dates.
Rules differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Georgia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Fannin County Young Farmers Breeding Ewe and Doe Holiday Classic
Breeding ewe and doe show run by Fannin County Young Farmers at the Fannin County Ag Facility in Blue Ridge.
- Blue Ridge Cattle Classic
Two-day junior cattle show at the Union County Agricenter in Blairsville, part of the Georgia 4-H and FFA winter show circuit.
Blairsville, GA Official event details - Syrup City Harvest Classic Cattle and Pig Show
Three-day cattle and pig show in Cairo, the Syrup City, scheduled for November 13-15, 2026. Held each year as part of the fall youth livestock circuit.
Cairo, GA Official event details - MAC Attack Cattle Show
One-day junior cattle show held in the MAC Building in Hazlehurst, Jeff Davis County, on the Georgia 4-H show calendar.
Hazlehurst, GA Official event details - The MAC Attack Cattle Show
One-day cattle show at the MAC Building in Hazlehurst, scheduled for November 14, 2026. Held each year on the fall youth show calendar.
Hazlehurst, GA Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.