What the Ravalli County Fair and Rodeo Is
The Ravalli County Fair and Rodeo is the Bitterroot Valley's end-of-summer fair at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds in Hamilton. It combines livestock shows, rodeo, carnival rides, demonstrations, live music, food and community exhibits in four days. Fairgrounds director Melissa Saville called the 2026 fair the last big event of summer, and nearly 40,000 people attended in 2025. The 2026 fair ran Wednesday, September 2 through Saturday, September 5 and opened with the traditional Main Street parade in Hamilton, which marks the unofficial start of fall in the Bitterroot. Corvallis farmers Lee and Lorena Erickson were named the 2026 fair family.
What's On
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Rodeo | Rodeo performances each night in the Main Arena; Thursday, September 3 included Grand Entry at 6:45 p.m., Bulls, Broncs and Barrels at 7 p.m. and penning finals at 9 p.m. |
| 4-H and FFA | Swine, rabbit, sheep and beef shows, a kiddie poultry show and a 4-H dog rally demonstration on Thursday, plus the 4-H and FFA animal barns |
| Horse, mule and donkey | Competition in the warm-up arena on Thursday |
| Exhibits | Homemade bread, preserves, artwork, quilts, produce and hay in the historic barns |
| Demonstrations | Spinning, cake decorating, a threshing demo on the Antique Machinery Lawn, and talks on perennials and herbs |
| Family | Carnival, Wild West Fun Park, Laser Fast Draw, caricature drawings, a circus act, hot rod show |
Youth Livestock
4-H and FFA youth spend the year raising and training their animals and bring them to the fair for championship ribbons. Exhibitors show in the fairgrounds barns, with the species shows spread across the days. Families with exhibit questions can use the fair book posted on the Ravalli County website or call the fair office.
Admission and Hours
- Adult day ticket: $15.
- Students under 18, seniors 62 and older, military and veterans: $10.
- Children 5 and under: free.
- Season pass (ages 18 to 61): $30 per person, covering all four days.
- Parking is free.
- Gates were open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, September 4 and 5.
The gate pass in the previous year covered all activities except food and the carnival.
Where and Who to Call
Ravalli County Fairgrounds, 100 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton, MT 59840. Fair office phone: 406-363-3411. The full daily schedule and fair book are on the Ravalli County website.
Questions
When is the next fair?
The most recent fair was September 2 to 5, 2026. The 2025 fair ran August 27 to 30, so dates change from year to year, and the next dates have not been announced.
Is the rodeo free?
Rodeo performances run each night and are covered by gate admission.
Is there art at the fair?
In 2025 the fair hosted its third annual Plein Air at the Fair, a fundraiser for the Ravalli County Fairgrounds Foundation, with Best of Show, Best Capture of Fair and People's Choice awards.
Official Links
Major Montana Stock Shows and Rodeos: The Essentials
Montana's big three are MontanaFair in August, the NILE in October and the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale in May. All dates below are from the most recent published schedules, so confirm the current year.
MontanaFair
The Billings fair ran August 7-15 in 2026. The Junior Livestock Sale was Saturday, August 15 at 12:30 p.m. at the Expo. Entries go through an online ShoWorks system managed by MetraPark, and the Dept. A handbook holds the deadlines.
NILE
The NILE ran October 9-17, 2026 at MetraPark in Billings, with junior steer, lamb, goat and swine shows, the Junior Fed Sale on October 12 and rodeo performances. 2026 entries closed September 15, with a $50-per-head late fee after September 1.
Bucking Horse Sale
Miles City held its 75th Bucking Horse Sale May 14-17, 2026, with a parade, rodeo grand entries and wild horse races. It dates back to 1951.
Hauling in
Swine entering Montana need a health certificate issued within 10 days.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Ravalli County Fair
Each year Hamilton hosts its county fair, most recently Sep 2-5, 2026, in Ravalli County. Held each year; the most recent dates were Sep 2-5 with 4-H livestock and project showing.
Hamilton, MT Official event details - Hamilton 4-H Fair
Hamilton 4-H fair in Ravalli County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were Sep 2-5, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Hamilton, 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 - Montana Farm Bureau Annual Convention and Trade Show
The 107th annual convention of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Billings, November 15 to 18, 2026.
27 N 27th St, Billings, MT 59101 | Organizer: Montana Farm Bureau Federation Official event details - Montana Association of Conservation Districts Convention
Annual convention of Montana's conservation districts at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, December 1 to 3, 2026, with a pre-convention workshop on November 30 and an awards banquet.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.