What the Nevada 4-H State Expo Is
The Nevada 4-H State Expo is the statewide showcase for 4-H youth, run by the University of Nevada, Reno Extension 4-H Youth Development Program. Members show animals, present speeches and demonstrations, and display what they have made, learned and raised during the 4-H year. In 2026 the Expo, with the theme "Year of the Horse," was folded into the State Fair of Nevada and combined with the Nevada Junior Livestock Show. Qualifying projects for the Expo were not required in 2026. Contests ran June 10 to 13 at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, with release and cleanup through June 14.
Who Can Enter
| Division | Age as of January 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Junior | 9 to 10 |
| Intermediate | 11 to 13 |
| Senior | 14 to 19 |
| Cloverbuds | 5 to 8 (non-competitive showmanship or static display only) |
Exhibits must come from 2025-2026 project areas. Demonstrations, Public Speaking and Quiz Bowl are open to all members. Senior Skill-a-Thon entrants must be enrolled in the project. Horse exhibitors must have passed the Level 1 written and riding tests at the county level.
Competition Areas
- Livestock: swine, sheep, meat goat, beef, dairy cattle and dairy goat breeding shows and showmanship, plus livestock judging, skill-a-thon and quiz bowl
- Horses: halter, showmanship, English and Western
- Dogs: showmanship, obedience, rally and agility
- Small animals: rabbit, cavy, poultry, game bird, duck, goose and herpetology
- Static exhibits: art, photography, sewing, cooking, robotics, horticulture and more
- Contests: demonstration, public speaking, fashion revue and quiz bowl
Limits and Presentation Times
Each member may enter up to 5 quality static exhibits per category, no larger than 30 inches wide, 24 deep and 30 high (booth and table entries excepted). Cavy, rabbit, poultry, game bird, duck and goose classes allow 3 to 4 animals per exhibitor, herpetology 3 animals, and demonstration and public speaking one entry each. Demonstrations run 3 to 10 minutes for Juniors, 5 to 12 for Intermediates and 7 to 15 for Seniors. Public speaking runs 3 to 5, 5 to 7 and 6 to 8 minutes by division.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- Monday, May 18, 2026, 5:00 p.m.: entry forms (with Code of Conduct and Waiver) and fees due at the county Extension office
- Friday, May 22, 2026, 5:00 p.m.: county offices send entries to the State Office; late entries are not accepted
- June 8, 2026: Fashion Revue commentary due with the entry form
Payment is by check or money order payable to "Board of Regents," or by credit card through the State 4-H Office at 775-784-4779.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Wednesday, June 10: horse show, livestock judging contest (9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.), dog show, Skill-a-Thon, speech and demonstration contests, Fashion Revue, quiz bowl, and livestock and static exhibit check-in
- Thursday, June 11: rabbit, poultry and cavy shows at 8:00 a.m.; static exhibits judged, then open to the public at 4:00 p.m.
- Friday, June 12: herpetology show at 2:30 p.m.; champion drives and banners at 6:00 p.m.; ice cream social at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, June 13: Round Robin showmanship from 8:30 a.m.; awards at 4:00 p.m.; Governor's Sale of Champions at 5:00 p.m.; animals and static exhibits released at 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday, June 14: all animals out and stalls cleaned by 11:00 a.m.
Awards and Rules
Ribbons use the Danish system: blue for above average, red for average and white for below average, judged against standards rather than other entrants. Grand and Reserve Champions are given when a category has at least 5 entries. Skill-a-thons and quiz bowls offer a chance to compete for the Western National Roundup. Horse riders need an ASTM-SEI helmet. Exhibitors must have an adult chaperone, and failure to clean stalls may forfeit awards. Judges' decisions are final; grievances must be filed by the youth within one hour with a $50 deposit.
Where
Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, Nevada State Fairgrounds, 1350 N. Wells Avenue, Reno, NV 89512. Exact contest locations are shared two weeks before the event.
Questions
Where do I send my entry?
To your county Extension office, which forwards it to the State Office. Mail for the State Office goes to UNR Extension 4-H Youth Development Program, Attn: Nevada 4-H Expo, Redfield Campus, Bldg. A, Office 232, 18600 Wedge Pkwy, Reno, NV 89511.
Can the public watch?
Yes. The Expo is open to the public as part of the State Fair, and static exhibits open for public viewing on Thursday at 4:00 p.m.
Can animals be bought afterwards?
Animals may be purchased at the end of the event.
Official Links
- UNR Extension: 2026 Nevada Junior Livestock Show with 4-H Expo
- 2026 Nevada 4-H Expo book
- State Fair of Nevada: Youth Agriculture Programming
- Nevada 4-H State Expo page
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension: The Essentials
University of Nevada, Reno Extension runs the Nevada 4-H Youth Development Program and offers help with ranching, livestock, forage, rangeland, water, gardens, pests and fire, per its home page. Think of it as the university's front door for Nevada farm, ranch and family questions.
Offices
Work runs through county offices, such as Elko at 701 Walnut Street and Eureka at 461 South Main Street, per the county directory. Staff include educators, specialists and 4-H instructors.
4-H
The State 4-H Office in Reno answers at 775-784-4779. Youth and adults can join as members or volunteers, and programs range from animal science and agriculture to robotics, shooting sports and aviation, per the university feature.
Livestock
Extension organizes the Nevada Junior Livestock Show with 4-H Expo in Reno, held June 13 in 2026.
Next steps
Call your county Extension office about clubs, projects and fair dates. Office details can change, so confirm locally.
Read the full guide: University of Nevada Cooperative Extension: Offices, 4-H and Help for Producers
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Washoe County 4-H Livestock Show
Washoe County 4-H youth show and prepare their animals here ahead of the Nevada Junior Livestock Show in June. Free for the public to attend; exhibitors register and pay fees in advance.
1350 N Wells Ave, Reno, NV 89512 | (775) 784-4848 | Organizer: UNR Extension 4-H Office Official event details - State Fair of Nevada
The official Nevada State Fair returned to the Reno fairgrounds in June 2026 with the Junior Livestock Show, the 4-H State Expo, the Governor's Sale of Champions, a farmers market pavilion and junior bull riding. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 11-13, 2026.
- Nevada Junior Livestock Show and Sale
Three-day youth livestock show at the Nevada State Fairgrounds that ends with a live auction on Saturday evening; 4-H and FFA members show animals and buyers bid on market projects.
- Governor's Livestock Sale of Champions
Premium sale of grand and reserve champion junior livestock held during the 2026 State Fair in Reno, where bidders support the youth exhibitors who earned top placings.
- Next Generation Youth Bull Riding
Friday-night junior bull riding added to the 2026 State Fair program in Reno, sold as a separate add-on ticket ($25 adults, $15 kids) on top of regular fair admission.
1350 N Wells Ave, Reno, NV 89512 | Organizer: Nevada Department of Agriculture Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.