What the Acadiana District Livestock Show Is
The Acadiana District 4-H and FFA Livestock Show and Sale is a district qualifying show at the UL Blackham Coliseum Complex in Lafayette. Youth from a nine-parish area bring market and breeding animals to compete, and the focus, in the words of Vermilion Parish county agent Andrew Granger, is youth development, not just the animals. The most recent show was held January 27 to 31, 2026, three weeks ahead of the state show in Gonzales.
Who Runs It and How Long It Has Run
The LSU AgCenter, which runs the 4-H and FFA livestock program, organizes the show, and the Lafayette Parish county agent manages it. Community leaders began organizing it in 1977 with backing from the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, the South Louisiana Mid Winter Fair Association, the Lafayette Cattlemen's Association and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. It marked its 40th anniversary in 2017. In a typical year it draws more than 500 youth exhibitors and more than 1,000 animals. The Lafayette Parish School Board sponsors the Premier Exhibitor program, and the South Louisiana Mid Winter Fair Association maintains the livestock barns.
Species and Show Flow
Swine, beef cattle, dairy cattle, goats and poultry are shown. At a recent show, dairy cattle and swine went first, and the final Saturday opened with the beef cattle show and the goat show at 8:00 a.m. and the poultry show at 9:00 a.m.
Who Can Enter and the Deadlines
- 4-H: members must be 9 before January 1 of the club year and must not have passed their 20th birthday by January 1.
- FFA: members must be regularly enrolled in a secondary agricultural education program and must not have reached their 21st birthday before the possession date closes.
- Youth must be bona fide members 30 days before a parish, district, state, regional or national event, and by November 1 for validation purposes.
| 2025-2026 deadline | What is due |
|---|---|
| August 15, 2025 | Steer possession and validation |
| November 10, 2025 | Exhibition poultry possession; beef, sheep, goat and dairy breeding possession |
| November 17, 2025 | Miniature cattle possession |
| December 1, 2025 | Rabbit and breeding swine possession |
| December 10, 2025 | Breeding beef, dairy, sheep and goat registration papers due in 4-H Online |
| January 1, 2026 | Breeding swine registration papers due |
Market animal validation deadlines vary by species. Clubs and chapters may show only in registered breeding classes, and entries must be made in the club or chapter's name. To join the livestock club, add it during 4-H Online enrollment or contact your parish 4-H office.
Where
UL Blackham Coliseum Complex, Lafayette. The show is held in the Blackham barns, and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office has provided inmate labor for setup.
Questions
When was the last show?
January 27 to 31, 2026. Later dates will be announced through the LSU AgCenter.
Is it open to adults?
No. It is for 4-H and FFA members within the age and membership limits above.
Who do I call?
Your parish 4-H office. The Vermilion Parish 4-H office, for example, answers at 337-291-7090.
What comes after the district show?
The LSU AgCenter State Livestock Show, February 14 to 21, 2026 at Lamar Dixon in Gonzales.
Official Links
- Welcome to the 2025-2026 Livestock Show Season: show dates, eligibility and deadlines
- Acadiana livestock show celebrates 40 years: history and sponsors
- District 4-H/FFA livestock show and sale underway at Blackham Barns: species and show schedule
Louisiana Parish Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
In Louisiana, 4-H and FFA exhibitors usually move from a parish fair or parish show to a district show and then the LSU AgCenter State Livestock Show.
The circuit
Examples from 2026: St. Landry and Ascension held parish shows January 16 to 17, and district shows ran late January into early February, per the AgCenter schedule.
State show
The 91st state show ran February 14 to 21, 2026, at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales with 1,207 eligible exhibitors, per the AgCenter report.
State Fair of Louisiana
The 120th fair runs October 29 to November 15, 2026, in Shreveport, per the Bossier Chamber.
Who can show
Shows are open to 4-H and FFA members. 4-H members must be 9 before January 1 and not past their 20th birthday by that date, per the St. Landry 4-H page.
Next steps
Ask your parish office for possession and validation deadlines, which fall months before the shows.
Read the full guide: Louisiana Parish Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Acadiana District 4-H and FFA Livestock Show and Sale
District show for southwest Louisiana youth at the Blackham barns; swine, beef, dairy, goat and poultry classes. The most recent dates were January 27-31, 2026. It leads into the state show.
Lafayette, LA | Organizer: LSU AgCenter 4-H and FFA Official event details - Lafayette Parish Livestock Show and Sale
Parish 4-H livestock show and sale at Blackham Coliseum, held each year in late January; the most recent dates were January 22-24, 2026, ahead of the Acadiana District show.
Lafayette, LA | Organizer: Lafayette Parish 4-H Official event details - Cajun Heartland State Fair
Ten-day state fair at the Cajundome complex in Lafayette. Held each year in late May; the most recent dates were May 22-31, 2026.
444 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70506 Official event details - State Fair of Louisiana
The 120th State Fair of Louisiana fills the Louisiana State Fairgrounds in Shreveport for eighteen days, with livestock shows, midway rides and food. The fair has run since 1906.
3701 Hudson Ave., Shreveport, LA 71109 | Organizer: State Fair of Louisiana Official event details - Allen Parish Fair
Four-day parish fair at the Allen Parish Fairgrounds on Tiger Lane in Oberlin, with general and agricultural exhibits. Held each year; the 2025 fair ran Nov. 12-15 and the 2026 fair is set for Nov. 11-14.
Tiger Lane, Oberlin, LA 70655 Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.