What the Jefferson County Fair Is
The Jefferson County Fair is held each year in the second week of July at Jefferson County Fair Park, 503 N. Jackson Avenue in the city of Jefferson. The 2026 fair ran July 8 to 12 under the theme "Let the Good Times Grow!" It combines a Junior Fair with livestock and static projects, a youth livestock auction, grandstand motorsports and nightly music.
How It Works: The Timeline
- May 31, 11:59 p.m. Exhibit registration closes on FairEntry. The mandatory auction form, including the YQCA certificate, was also due May 31 (one per exhibitor), and new auction buyers registered online by the same date.
- June 15 Last Year Exhibitor Form due for last-year exhibitors.
- June 28 Static judging of all Sprout projects and most junior projects, including animal and vet science, natural science, cultural arts, photography, computers, woodworking, electricity, mechanical science, clothing, knitting and crocheting, home environment, child development, youth leadership and health. Exhibitors sign up for a time slot.
- July 5 Music and drama performances, scheduled by superintendents.
- July 7 Foods, plant and soil science, and flowers and house plants judging. Beef live grading at 7 a.m.
- July 8 to 12 The fair, with animal shows, grandstand events and music.
- July 12 Live archery judging.
Animal Show Schedule
| Species | When |
|---|---|
| Beef | Wed., July 8, 8 a.m.: feeder calves, market, breeds, bred and owned, showperson |
| Sheep | Wed., July 8, 1 p.m. |
| Goats | Dairy goats Wed., July 8, 9 a.m.; meat goats and market Thu., July 9, 9 a.m. |
| Equine | Showperson, driving and trail Wed., July 8, 9 a.m.; gymkhana and under saddle Thu., July 9, 9 a.m. |
| Swine | Thu., July 9, 9 a.m. |
| Dairy | Showperson Thu., July 9, 6 p.m.; breed show Fri., July 10, 9 a.m. |
| Poultry | Market and eggs Thu., July 9, 9 a.m.; showperson noon; breed show Fri., July 10, 10 a.m. |
| Rabbits | Wed., July 8, 1 p.m.; pets and showperson Thu., July 9, 1 p.m.; hopping Sun., July 12, 9 a.m. |
| Draft horse | Fri., July 10 and Sat., July 11 |
| Cats | Thu., July 9, 4 p.m. |
Sprout (young exhibitor) shows are Thursday for rabbits, Friday for poultry and Sunday at 10 a.m. for dairy, beef, swine, sheep, goats and equine.
Rules and Animal Health
- A PRRS/PEDv test is no longer required for swine in 2026, but a certificate of veterinary inspection is.
- Lactating dairy cattle no longer need a negative influenza A milk sample.
- Beef bred and owned exhibitors bring a Bred and Owned Affidavit to check-in. Sprouts bring a liability waiver to their show.
- Bedding is free for beef and swine exhibitors.
- After arrival, find your department's superintendent. Trailer parking is color-coded: beef, sheep, goat and swine at the southwest end, equine at the northwest end, dairy on the northeast side.
- Fair Five Packs cost $35 if not bought ahead.
Entertainment
The Coors Light Entertainment Tent hosts Feudin' Hillbillys on Thursday, Gimme Skynyrd on Friday and Chasin' U on Saturday. The grandstand runs two tractor pulls Wednesday, a truck pull Thursday, a standup comedy showcase Friday, a horse pull Saturday and the demo derby Sunday. The WSLD Community Stage has daily local performers and bingo.
Where and Who to Call
Jefferson County Fair Park, 503 N. Jackson Avenue, Jefferson, WI. Fair office: 920-674-7139.
Questions
When did registration close?
May 31 at 11:59 p.m.
Is there an auction form?
Yes. Each exhibitor submits one mandatory auction form, with the YQCA certificate, at JCoFair.com/auction by May 31.
Where do I sign up for static judging?
Through the SignUpGenius link, checking the premium book for each department's schedule.
Official Links
- Fair Timeline: deadlines and judging dates
- Fair Information: Animals: health rules and show schedule
- 2026 music lineup: entertainment and grandstand
- 2026 theme: dates and theme
Iowa County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Iowa youth livestock shows run from county fairs in June through August to the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, August 13 to 23, 2026, per the fair listing. County fairs set their own rules, so check your premium book.
State Fair deadlines
Entries for beef, sheep, swine, goats, dairy and horse were due July 1, with late entries through July 8 for a fee. Poultry, rabbit and prospect calf entries were due July 15, per the entry deadlines page. Beef cattle require Iowa residency.
Ownership and weights
State Fair market beef must be identified in 4-H Online by February 1, and steers must weigh at least 900 lb, per the 4-H beef book. 4-H members can show through 12th grade, per the Iowa 4-H requirements.
Rules to check
Franklin County's 2025 rules show how county rules read: livestock owned by May 15, ID forms and YQCA certification due that day, official tags, and consent to drug testing on entry, per its rule sheet.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office for your fair book and tagging dates.
Rules and dates differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Iowa County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Iowa Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and County Leadership Conference
Iowa Farm Bureau members meet for the annual meeting and county leadership conference at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines, December 8-9, 2026.
Des Moines, IA Official event details - Cass County Winter Extension and Conservation Day Camp
Polar Bear Discovery day camp for kindergarten through 2nd grade at the Cass County Community Building in Atlantic, $5 per camper. Held each year; registration closes December 23.
Atlantic, IA | Organizer: Cass County Extension Official event details - Iowa Pork Congress
Iowa Pork Producers Association winter pork industry show and trade fair in downtown Des Moines. Listed for January 20-21, 2027.
- Ringgold County Fair
Mount Ayr fair on the north edge of town, with a full week of 4-H and FFA shows for swine, sheep, goats, beef, horses, poultry and rabbits. Scheduled for July 6-11, 2027.
Mount Ayr, IA Official event details - Sioux County Youth Fair
Youth-focused Sioux County fair on the east side of Sioux Center, with 4-H events, a pork feed and a fair board breakfast. Scheduled for July 9-16, 2027.
Sioux Center, IA Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.