What the Gallatin County 4-H and FFA Fair Is
The Gallatin County 4-H and FFA Fair is the youth fair held at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds in Bozeman during the Big Sky Country State Fair. Members show projects in Livestock and Small Animal, Dog and Cat, Horse, Indoor (baking and cooking, cake decorating, knitting and crochet, leathercraft, photography, sewing and general) and Shooting Sports. The 2026 fair ran July 9 to 19. The next fair is announced for July 15 to 25, 2027, with schedules, deadlines and fees to be posted later.
How It Works: The 2026 Timeline (the pattern to expect)
- Register. Registration opened May 26 and closed Wednesday, June 17 at 5:00 p.m., with no exceptions for late entries.
- Fees and record books. Registration fees and record books were due June 24 at 5:00 p.m. Payment is by card through ShoWorks, or by card, cash or check at the Extension Office.
- Pick up tags. Exhibit tags were collected July 6 to 10 at the 4-H Office.
- Interviews. Livestock, small animal, dog and cat, and horse interviews were July 9 or 10, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., in Exhibit Building #4. Indoor interviews and exhibit judging were Sunday, July 12, noon to 5:00 p.m.
- Booth set-up. July 13 and 14 in Exhibit Building #3.
- Silent auction. Bids opened July 15 at 11:00 a.m. and closed July 19 at 6:00 p.m.
- Market Livestock Sale. Friday, July 17. Buyer check-in 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., buyer BBQ 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., scholarship winners announced at 3:45 p.m., and the sale from 4:00 p.m. until about 11:00 p.m. It is live and in person only, with no online bidding.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Record books and interviews are required for 4-H members aged 8 and up. Cloverbuds (ages 5 to 7) are not eligible for the silent auction.
- A record book includes a My 4-H Year form, a project journal and financial record, and seven completed project activities.
- Scoring combines the record book (up to 82 points) and interview (up to 48) for a total of 130. Members scoring 110 or higher, 85 percent or more, are nominated for a Project Award.
- Indoor exhibits are scored separately on point-based rubrics.
- The silent auction allows up to five items per youth, each with a red ribbon or higher.
Fees, Prizes and What You Get
Youth exhibitors get a free wristband. Adult week wristbands are $25 and extra youth wristbands for non-exhibiting youth are $15. The booth contest (2026 theme "Hands in the Dirt. Hearts in the Work.") pays $150 to the Grand Champion and $75 to the Reserve Champion. Market livestock exhibitors sell in the Market Livestock Sale, and scholarship winners are announced the same afternoon.
Where
Gallatin County Fairgrounds, Bozeman. Public parking is at Tamarack (Gate A, opens 7:00 a.m.) and Oak Street (Gate B). Exhibitors can use a free Fast Pass at West Oak (Gate C) for up to two hours of drop-off until 10:00 a.m. The Extension Office is at 903 North Black Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715.
Questions
How old do I have to be to get a record book and interview?
Eight.
Can I enter late?
In 2026 the answer was no.
Can buyers bid online?
No. The sale is live and in person.
Who do I call?
Gallatin County Extension Office: (406) 582-3280.
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 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 - Montana 4-H State Shoot
Montana 4-H shooting sports state shoot in Bozeman, March 7-8, 2027.
- Montana State University Cowboys and Candlelight
The 29th annual Cowboys and Candlelight event in Bozeman, held February 15, 2026, on the Montana rodeo calendar.
Bozeman, MT Official event details - Montana State University Spring Rodeo
College rodeo hosted in Bozeman by Montana State University, April 9 to 12, 2026.
- Montana 4-H State Shotgun Qualifier
State 4-H shotgun qualifier held in Logan on Saturday, May 2, 2026, part of the Montana 4-H shooting sports schedule.
Logan, MT Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.