What the Union County Fair Is
The Union County Fair in Clayton, in the far northeast corner of New Mexico, is a four-day fair for Union County 4-H and FFA youth built around junior livestock shows, a production cattle contest, a Junior Livestock Sale and a Tin Barn full of 4-H and open indoor exhibits. The 2026 fair ran August 5 to 8. Ribbons, buckles, banners and showmanship awards are handed out at each show, and winners are listed on a running slideshow in the eating area.
Divisions and Contests
- Cattle, including junior market steers, breeding cattle and dairy, plus a Union County Bred division
- Market swine, breeding and market sheep, and meat goats
- Meat pen and individual rabbits and poultry, including waterfowl
- Horse show and showmanship
- Production Cattle Test and Visual Judging, with weigh and scan of production steers
- Bucket Calf Contest for youth ages 4 to 8, Junior Pet Show, Ranch Management Contest and Queen Contest
- 4-H and open indoor exhibits in the Tin Barn, and a Peddlers Market
Who Can Enter and Rules
- All junior livestock contestants must be 4-H or FFA members in Union County for the current year.
- Animals must be owned or managed by the exhibitor at least 75 percent of the time. Members should accompany, care for and show their own animals.
- Livestock must be in place by 8 a.m. Wednesday, and rabbits and poultry by 10 a.m. All animals must arrive clipped and show ready; touch-ups only outside the barn.
- All market animals are weighed and must meet weight requirements. A quality check sift at the scales removes animals that do not make it.
- Every market and breeding exhibitor signs the Youth Meat Quality Assurance (Wholesome Meat Act) form before the sale, and treatment records should be kept.
- Horse exhibitors must have a horse certificate at the Extension office by April 15.
- Animals must be declared as sale, packer or home no later than one hour after the steer show on Friday.
- Pellets are encouraged over shavings, and exhibitors who use shavings must clean their pens after the sale or sale checks are withheld.
Fees
| Entry | Fee |
|---|---|
| Cattle | $35 per head |
| Production cattle (add-on) | $15 per head |
| Horse and swine | $30 per head |
| Sheep and goat | $25 per head |
| Individual rabbit or poultry | $10 per entry |
| Rabbit or poultry meat pen | $20 per pen |
| Tin Barn indoor exhibits | $5 per entry |
| Bucket Calf | No fee |
Fair entries close July 26. Mail forms and a check or cash, postmarked by July 26, to Union County Fair Board Association, PO Box 29, Clayton, NM 88415.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Wednesday, August 5 Barn opens 6 a.m., weigh and classify at 8:15 a.m. starting with cattle, indoor exhibit check-in 8 to 10 a.m., production cattle test at 1 p.m., horse show at 4 p.m.
- Thursday, August 6 Meat pen rabbits at 9 a.m., poultry at 10 a.m., market swine at 6 p.m.
- Friday, August 7 Sheep at 9 a.m., meat goats at 11 a.m., Ranch Management Contest at 1 p.m., Bucket Calf at 4 p.m., breeding cattle and dairy at 5:30 p.m., market beef at 6 p.m.
- Saturday, August 8 Queen Contest 9 a.m., Junior Pet Show 1 p.m., buyers meal 4 p.m., 4-H indoor awards program 5:45 p.m., Junior Livestock Sale 6 p.m.
- Sunday, August 9 Tear down and 4-H indoor exhibit checkout from 9 a.m.
The Junior Livestock Sale
The sale is Saturday at 6 p.m. in the fairground sale ring, managed by 5 States Livestock Auction. Up to 32 market calves sell, and in swine, lamb and goat divisions up to 50 percent of entries up to 32, so a slot is not guaranteed. Exhibitors may sell combinations such as one beef plus one swine, lamb or goat, or two lambs, goats or swine. A 5 percent commission is withheld, plus $30 for the buyer's gift. Animals sell by the head, except meat pens.
Grand and reserve champions in each species may instead choose the Continual Fair Scholarship: they declare a regional or state fair, show the animal there, and send thank you cards by September 15 to receive the money.
Bucket Calf Contest
Open to youth ages 4 to 8 who are not in a 4-H project other than Cloverbuds. Calves must be born April 1 to July 1, halter broken and on the bucket or bottle. Entries are due July 24 and winners receive ribbons only.
Where and Who to Call
The fair is held in Clayton at the fairgrounds Fair Barn and Tin Barn. Union County Cooperative Extension Service, 100 Court Street, Clayton, NM 88415, phone 575-374-9361.
Official Links
- Union County Fair page
- 2026 Fair Schedule
- Junior Livestock General Rules
- Junior Livestock Sale Rules
- Bucket Calf Contest
- Continual Fair Scholarship
Illinois County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
AgriNews lists 105 Illinois fairs for 2026, including the Illinois State Fair (August 13 to 23, Springfield) and the Du Quoin State Fair (August 28 to September 7), per its county fair lineup.
Ownership and tags
State Fair market steers must be owned since February 1, 2026, and cattle and swine need a USDA 840 ear tag, per the junior show requirements.
Training
YQCA is required for dairy, beef, swine, sheep and goat exhibitors, and Lake County sets a June 1 completion deadline, per Lake County 4-H.
Drug rules
At Du Quoin a positive test means disqualification, with a three-year ban for a first offense, per the livestock book.
Dates
Many counties fall between mid-July and early August, such as Knox (July 6 to 11), Champaign (July 25 to August 1) and Lake (July 29 to August 2).
Next steps
Get your county's fair book, mark the enrollment and entry dates, and ask your Extension office about weigh-ins.
Dates and rules change, so confirm with the fair.
Read the full guide: Illinois County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
The 2026 IFB Annual Meeting is scheduled for December 12-15 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Illinois Farm Bureau delegates gather each December to set policy and elect leadership.
- Illinois Farm Bureau Newer Presidents Seminar
A one-day January 2027 seminar for newer county Farm Bureau presidents, held at the IAA Building on Towanda Avenue in Bloomington.
1701 Towanda Ave, Bloomington, IL | Organizer: Illinois Farm Bureau Official event details - From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference
The 2027 From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference runs January 27-29 at the Bank of Springfield Center, serving Illinois specialty growers and local-food producers.
Springfield, IL | Organizer: Illinois Farm Bureau Official event details - Illinois Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference
Illinois Farm Bureau members meet at the Bank of Springfield Center on February 16, 2027 for the Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference, focused on state advocacy.
1 Convention Center Plaza, Springfield, IL | Organizer: Illinois Farm Bureau Official event details - Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Conference
The 2027 IFB Young Leader Conference gathers young Farm Bureau members at the I Hotel & Illinois Conference Center in Champaign on February 26-27.
1900 South 1st Street, Champaign, IL | Organizer: Illinois Farm Bureau Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.