What the Chouteau County 4-H and FFA Fair Is
The Chouteau County 4-H and FFA Fair is the showcase for local 4-H clubs and FFA chapters at the Chouteau County Fairgrounds in Fort Benton. Exhibitors bring market and breeding livestock, rabbits, poultry, cats, dogs and indoor projects. It closes with a Creative Trades live auction of 4-H and FFA indoor exhibits and the Market Livestock Sale. The 2026 fair was August 12-16; the next fair is listed for August 18-22, 2027.
Shows and Contests
- Swine, sheep, goat and beef judging and showmanship
- Bred heifer ultrasounds and market animal ultrasound
- Cat, rabbit, poultry and dog shows
- Round Robin showmanship
- Livestock judging contest (Sunshine Snippers)
- Club booths in the 4-H Exhibit Building and a Chuckwagon staffed by 4-H clubs and FFA chapters
How It Works: The 2026 Timeline
- July 15Horse show at the 406 Arena, Vaughn, 9:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, August 4Set-up in the barns, and chuckwagon cleaning and set-up.
- Wednesday, August 12Optional market swine weigh-in 8 to 10 a.m.; interview judging 1 to 4 p.m.; market livestock weigh-in 4 to 7 p.m. (bring a brand inspection form); club booth set-up at 5 p.m.
- Thursday, August 13Swine judging and showmanship at 7 a.m., sheep and goats at 11 a.m., then cat, rabbit and poultry shows.
- Friday, August 14Beef judging and showmanship at 9 a.m., heifer show to follow, dog show at 2 p.m., Calcutta at 4 p.m.
- Saturday, August 15Round Robin at 9 a.m., market animal ultrasound, livestock judging contest at 3:30 p.m.
- Sunday, August 16Creative Trades live auction 1 p.m., Market Livestock Sale 2 p.m. in the park area, removal of exhibits 5 p.m.
Fair awards were presented at the 4-H Awards Program on October 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
How to Enter
Exhibitors register through a ZSuite account at 4h.zsuite.org. The Fair Book lists project entry lots, and the Extension office provides Indoor/Static Exhibit Guidelines, Animal Project Guidelines and rabbit and poultry class descriptions. Market livestock must be weighed in with a brand inspection form.
The Market Livestock Sale
Buyers can attend in person and check in at the Buyer Check-In table for a buyer number, or register, bid and view animals online through the Frontier Live Sale at frontierlivesale.com/production-sales/chouteau-county-4-h-ffa-fair. The 2027 sale is listed for Sunday, August 22, 2027 at 2:00 p.m. in the park area between the front entrances off 4th Street.
Where
Chouteau County Fairgrounds, Fort Benton, MT. The sale and judging take place in the park area; project exhibits are in the 4-H Exhibit Building.
Questions
Who do I call?
The Chouteau County Extension Office, 1308 Franklin St, Fort Benton, (406) 622-3751. Hours are Monday to Friday, 8 to 5, and vary during the fair.
Can I buy without attending?
Yes, through online registration for the Frontier Live Sale.
Official Links
Montana 4-H Events and Contests: The Essentials
Montana 4-H goes well beyond the fair. County fairs come first, then state contests and Montana 4-H Congress on the Bozeman campus. Dates and rules differ by county, so ask your MSU Extension office for the current calendar and fair book.
Montana 4-H Congress
Congress runs four days at MSU Bozeman: July 7-10, 2026 and July 14-17, 2027. Members must be 13 by October 1 of the 4-H year. Registration is $255, opens May 1 and closes June 15 through your county Extension office.
State contests
Members may enter only one contest at Congress, and you must compete in your own registered county. Contests include Fashion Revue, Public Speaking, Livestock Judging, Horse Judging and Hippology. Fashion Revue needs a county blue ribbon.
Year-round events
The state calendar also lists a Citizenship Seminar in Helena (January 17-19, 2027), the State Shoot in Bozeman (March 7-8, 2027) and Youth State Awards due May 1.
Before you go
Pre-Congress is for Ambassadors and teen leaders and cost $95 for youth in 2026. Sponsored trips still carry travel costs, so budget for meals and gas.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Montana FFA Alumni Leadership Camp
Leadership camp run by the Montana FFA Alumni at Highwood, June 17 to 20, 2027.
Highwood, MT | Organizer: Montana FFA Alumni Official event details - Chouteau County 4-H and FFA Market Livestock Sale
Sunday, August 22, 2027 market sale at 2 p.m. in the Park Area off 4th St; buyers check in on site or bid online through Frontier Live Sale.
Fort Benton, MT Official event details - Chouteau County Fair
Fair week in Fort Benton (Aug 12-16, 2026) brings 4-H exhibits, junior livestock classes and community events to Chouteau County. Held each year; the most recent dates were these.
Fort Benton, MT Official event details - Fort Benton 4-H Fair
Fort Benton 4-H fair in Chouteau County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 12-16, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Fort Benton, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Montana FFA Ag Expo
Montana FFA Ag Expo with twenty-six career and leadership development events for FFA members in Bozeman, November 12 to 14, 2026. Volunteer judges are recruited each year.
Bozeman, MT | (406) 581-9299 | Organizer: Montana FFA Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.