What the Western Idaho Fair Is
The Western Idaho Fair is a ten-day fair at Expo Idaho, 5610 Glenwood Street in Boise, and the largest annual fair in the Treasure Valley. The 2026 fair ran Friday, August 21 through Sunday, August 30. It pairs a carnival, grandstand concerts and free shows with a full slate of 4-H and FFA livestock competitions that end in a market livestock sale. Competitions cover horse shows, cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, poultry, llamas and alpacas.
Hours and Admission
Gates open at noon on weekdays and 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and close at 11 p.m. nightly (10 p.m. on the final Sunday). Advance admission through August 20 was $10 for ages 12-61, $9 for 62 and older, $8 for ages 6-11, and free for ages 5 and younger. An unlimited carnival wristband was $35 for one day. Gate prices in the 4-H and FFA handbook were $12 (age 12 and up), $10 (62 and up), $9 (ages 6-11), and free under 6; parking is free.
| Day | Special |
|---|---|
| Fri., Aug. 21 | Free admission with food donation |
| Sun., Aug. 23 | Armed Forces Day |
| Tue., Aug. 25 | $2 Tuesday |
| Wed., Aug. 26 | Free admission noon to 2 p.m. |
| Thu., Aug. 27 | Buy one, get one admission |
| Fri., Aug. 28 | Student Savings Day |
| Sat., Aug. 29 | STEM Day |
Grandstand Concerts
General admission to the grandstand is included with fair admission; reserved seats cost extra. Gates open at 6 p.m. and shows start at 7:30 p.m. The 2026 lineup was Brantley Gilbert (Aug. 24), Skillet (Aug. 25), Third Eye Blind (Aug. 26), The Art of Rap featuring Ice-T and Sir Mix-A-Lot (Aug. 27), and Lee Brice (Aug. 28). Other livestock highlights included a llama and alpaca costume contest on August 21, a Mustang Challenge and draft horse log pulling on August 28, and sheep dog trials on August 29.
Who Can Show: 4-H and FFA
4-H age is set as of January 1 of the 4-H year. Cloverbuds are ages 5-7 (lap animal projects only), Juniors 8-10, Intermediates 11-13, and Seniors 14-18. FFA members in good standing may take part, and Idaho FFA members need one year of membership before entering the animal project division. Animal classes include beef, sheep, swine, dairy and pack goats, meat goats, dairy cattle, llama and alpaca, and horse, plus cat, cavy, dog, pocket pets, poultry, pygmy goat and rabbit. 4-H and FFA exhibitors pay no entrance or pen fees in their own departments.
How It Works: The Timeline
- July 31, 4:30 p.m.: livestock, small animal and FCS entry forms due at the Premium Office. A $50 late fee applies August 3-7, and nothing is accepted after that.
- Thursday, Aug. 20: weigh-ins and vet checks (beef 4-5 p.m., sheep and goats 5:30-8 p.m., swine 7:30-9 p.m.). All animals must be weighed by 9 p.m. to be sale-eligible.
- Friday, Aug. 21: required species meetings at 8 a.m.
- Aug. 22-24: horse and swine showmanship Saturday at 9 a.m.; poultry and dairy showmanship Sunday at 9 a.m., beef and meat goats at 2 p.m.; round robin showmanship Monday at 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 25: Junior Exhibitor Picnic at 4 p.m. and the market livestock sale at 6 p.m.
The Market Livestock Sale
Market species are beef, sheep, goats, swine and rabbit. Youth from Ada and Canyon County 4-H and FFA may sell, one market animal per year at one fair. Exhibitors must show in both market and showmanship classes for each species, and animals must be weighed in. Grand and Reserve Champions sell first in each species, and the rest sell by lottery within ribbon grades. The sale is terminal: all animals are harvested and cannot be picked up live. Buyers pre-register for a bidder number, and add-on donations are accepted until sale night.
Premiums and Awards
Ribbons follow the modified Danish system: blue, red or white. FCS and department premiums are $5 for blue, $4 for red and $3 for white, with no more than two premiums per class. Premium payouts start Monday, August 24 at 3 p.m., and unclaimed premiums after September 11 revert to the fair's general fund.
Questions
Who do I call?
The Premium Office is (208) 287-5663, Expo Idaho's administrative office is (208) 287-5650, and Ada County Extension is 208-287-5900.
Do I need a record book?
Ada County record books are due August 17-18 with a mandatory interview, and an Ada County animal member without one cannot show.
Can I bring family in?
Up to three family passes at $15 each, valid August 21-25, could be bought by noon on August 21.
Official Links
Idaho County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Idaho county fairs run from Lincoln County's July 20 to 25 fair to Nez Perce County's September 24 to 27 fair in 2026, with the Western Idaho Fair in Boise August 21 to 30, per RMAF listings. Dates may change.
Livestock shows
The Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot ran September 4 to 12, 2026, and hosts the state 4-H livestock judging contest, per the fair listing.
Ownership and entries
Statewide 4-H minimums are 70 days for lambs and goats, 100 for hogs and 150 for beef, per 4-H policies. The Western Idaho Fair's entries were due July 31, with a $50 late fee.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office for your fair book, weigh-in dates and sale rules.
Weights, residency and sale rules differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Idaho County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Nez Perce County Farm Bureau Annual Banquet
Evening banquet for Nez Perce County Farm Bureau members at a Lewiston steakhouse on November 11, 2026.
2305 Nez Perce Dr, Lewiston, ID 83501 | Organizer: Idaho Farm Bureau Federation Official event details - Idaho County Farm Bureau Annual Banquet
Prairie farm and ranch families meet at the Cottonwood Community Hall for the Idaho County Farm Bureau banquet on November 12, 2026.
Cottonwood, ID | Organizer: Idaho Farm Bureau Federation Official event details - Valley-Adams County Farm Bureau Board Meeting
Board meeting for the Valley-Adams County Farm Bureau at the McCall insurance office on November 12, 2026.
401 S 3rd St, McCall, ID 83638 | Organizer: Idaho Farm Bureau Federation Official event details - Owyhee County Farm Bureau Board Meeting
Owyhee County Farm Bureau board meets the evening of November 12, 2026; the venue has not been announced.
Homedale, ID 83628 | Organizer: Idaho Farm Bureau Federation Official event details - Twin Falls County Farm Bureau Annual Banquet
Social hour and dinner for Twin Falls County Farm Bureau members at an event center downtown on November 13, 2026.
243 5th Ave S, Twin Falls, ID 83301 | Organizer: Idaho Farm Bureau Federation Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.