What the Eureka County Fair Is
The Eureka County Fair is a six-day county fair and rodeo run by the Eureka County Fair Board. It mixes an exhibit hall, a 4-H livestock show and sale, a gymkhana, working-ranch contests and a Saturday night rodeo. The 2026 fair ran August 4-9, with the main weekend on August 7-9.
Ways to Take Part
| Program | What it is |
|---|---|
| 4-H livestock show and sale | Youth show market animals Sunday morning; the 4-H sale runs Saturday from 1:00 to 2:00 pm during the lunch break |
| Youth team branding | Friday at 10:00 am; entry is $25 per team and must be pre-paid |
| Team branding and drawpot team branding | Saturday, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, with the drawpot at 2:00 pm |
| Gymkhana | Entries Friday 11:00 am to noon; stick horse barrels at noon, gymkhana 1:00 to 5:00 pm |
| Youth rough stock | Sign-ups Friday 3:00 to 4:30 pm, riding at 5:00 pm |
| Goat roping | Saturday, 4:00 to 6:00 pm |
| Exhibit hall | Open daily 9:00 am to 7:00 pm on the main weekend; final pick-up Sunday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm |
How It Works: The 2026 Weekend
Friday, August 7
The cook shack opens at 8:00 am. Last call to sign up and pay for youth team branding is 8:00 to 10:00 am, and the contest starts at 10:00 am after the 9:45 am flag presentation and national anthem. Gymkhana entries open at 11:00 am, the Kids Zone is free from noon to 8:00 pm, and a cornhole tournament starts at 6:00 pm.
Saturday, August 8
Mud volleyball starts at 9:00 am and the Scrabble tournament at 9:30 am. Team branding runs 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, the 4-H sale and lunch break is 1:00 to 2:00 pm, and the horseshoe tournament starts at 1:00 pm. Goat roping runs from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. The rodeo starts at 6:00 pm with broncs, mini bulls, bulls, steer stopping and chute dogging, and a dance and concert with Reckless Envy follows at 9:00 pm.
Sunday, August 9
The 4-H livestock show starts at 9:00 am and the Rhonda Garaventa Memorial ACTRA team roping at 10:00 am. The 4-H skill-a-thon is at 3:00 pm.
Youth Team Branding: Rules and Fees
Each youth team has a header and a heeler who rope and brand two head of cattle. Ground crew may help hold ropes for safety. Each youth may enter only once. Entries must be pre-paid and received by August 3, 2026, at $25 per team, and every team member signs the entry form and release. Western attire, including a long-sleeve shirt and a hat, is required.
- The event is timed with a 12-minute limit, and the four fastest times place first through fourth.
- All four feet must be stretched with ropes before paint is applied, and an animal must be back on its feet before the next is roped.
- Penalties add 20 to 90 seconds, for example 30 seconds for a heavy or light mark and 90 seconds for undue roughness such as running cattle into the fence.
- A second roughing incident, marking the wrong side, or threats toward judges, timers or volunteers means disqualification.
- Complaints go to a Fair Board member, and the Fair Board committee has the final say.
Forms Available
The fair board posts entry forms and rules for team branding, youth team branding, youth rough stock and the gymkhana (entry form, flyer, patterns and rules). Download them before the fair so you can bring completed paperwork.
Where
Eureka County Fairgrounds, Eureka, Nevada. Mail goes to the Eureka County Fair Board, P.O. Box 533, Eureka, NV 89316.
Questions
Is admission to the Kids Zone free?
Yes. The Kids Zone is free, open noon to 8:00 pm Friday and 10:00 am to 8:00 pm Saturday.
Can a youth enter team branding twice?
No. Each youth may enter the youth team branding once.
When can I pick up exhibit hall entries?
Final pick-up is Sunday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Who do I call?
The Eureka County Fair Board, 775.934.4750.
Official Links
Nevada County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Nevada's youth livestock season runs through county fairs and the Nevada Junior Livestock Show and Sale in Reno, which in 2026 was part of the State Fair of Nevada, June 11 to 13, per the UNR Extension event page. Rules vary by fair.
County fairs
The Nevada Agricultural Fair in Gardnerville ran July 16 to 19, 2026, per its listing. Other county fairs run from April in Clark County to Labor Day in Elko and Humboldt counties.
Rules to know
The 2022 rule book set the minimum age at 9 and required YQCA training. Beef had to be owned by December 1 and most other species by March 1. Entries were due April 1.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office or the State 4-H Office at 775-784-4779 for your fair book.
Dates, weights and sale rules change, so confirm with the organizer.
Read the full guide: Nevada County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Eureka County 4-H Livestock Show and Sale
Youth livestock show opens Thursday during fair week and the 4-H sale follows Saturday. The 2019 show drew 29 exhibitors with swine, beef, sheep, goats and rabbits. Held each year.
Eureka, NV | Organizer: Eureka County Jr. Livestock Show and Sale Committee Official event details - Eureka County Fair Youth Team Branding
Youth team branding contest in the small and large arenas on the Friday of fair week, with a separate open team branding on Saturday. Held each year; the most recent date was August 7, 2026.
Eureka, NV | Organizer: Eureka County Fair Board Official event details - Eureka County Fair Gymkhana
Horse gymkhana with stick horse barrels at noon for the youngest riders, then timed events through the afternoon of the Friday of fair week. Held each year; the most recent date was August 7, 2026.
Eureka, NV | Organizer: Eureka County Fair Board Official event details - Eureka County Fair Rodeo
Saturday-night rodeo of fair week with broncs, mini bulls, bulls, steer stopping and chute dogging, followed by a dance. Held each year; the most recent date was August 8, 2026.
Eureka, NV | Organizer: Eureka County Fair Board Official event details - Nevada Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
107th annual meeting of Nevada Farm Bureau with breakout sessions, an advocacy lab, Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet, small farms dinner and awards lunch.
Las Vegas, NV | 775-674-4000 | Organizer: Nevada Farm Bureau Federation Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.