What the Lea County Fair and Rodeo Is
The Lea County Fair and Rodeo in Lovington pairs a PRCA rodeo with the county's junior livestock sale. The 2026 fair ran July 31 to August 8 at the Lea County Fairgrounds, with the rodeo in Jake McClure Arena. The rodeo tradition goes back to 1936, which makes 2026 a 90-year milestone.
The Rodeo
| Event | When |
|---|---|
| Lea County Xtreme Bulls | Tuesday, August 4 |
| PRCA rodeo performances | Wednesday, August 5 through Saturday, August 8, starting at 7 p.m. |
Timed-event contestants usually make two runs on the same day. First-round runs start at 8 a.m., and the 10 fastest times come back for the evening performance. Steer roping has three rounds, while bull riding, bareback, saddle bronc and barrel racing have one round each. The 83 cowgirls compete 10 per performance, with the rest running after the Wednesday through Friday shows.
Purse and field
Local added money is $27,001 per event for the rodeo and $44,500 for Xtreme Bulls, a total purse of almost $315,000 before the first gate. Last year's payout was almost $450,000 over five days. This year's field has 697 entrants, including 179 National Finals Rodeo qualifiers and 46 world champions who hold 142 Montana Silversmiths gold buckles. Featured names include bareback riders Jess Pope (2022 world champion) and Leighton Berry, and tie-down roper Marty Yates, an 11-time NFR qualifier. The first Lovington rodeo in 1936 included local world champion Troy Fort.
The Junior Livestock Sale
The 2025 sale was the 89th annual Junior Livestock Sale and set a record, generating more than $1.25 million. The auction brought in $1,024,750 plus $233,655 in add-ons as of early September. In 2024 the sale totaled $1,131,401. Jaylee Parker's market steer had the top bid in 2025 at $22,000, with her brother Jett Parker second at $21,000. The Sale of Champions was held on a Saturday.
Youth Awards
4-H girls earned Lea County Fair sweepstakes buckles in 2026.
Attendance and Practical Notes
Attendance in 2025 was about 90,000. Gate ticket revenue was $279,000 in 2025. The fair has a clear bag policy, with bag checks from 8 a.m. to midnight daily. RV space rentals are available on the grounds.
Where
Lea County Fairgrounds, South Commercial Street, Lovington, NM, with rodeo performances in Jake McClure Arena.
Questions
What time do rodeo performances start?
7 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, August 5 to 8, 2026.
How big is the rodeo?
697 entrants in 2026, including 179 NFR qualifiers.
How much did the sale raise last time?
More than $1.25 million in 2025, a record.
Official Links
New Mexico County Fairs: The Essentials
New Mexico county fairs are run through local NMSU Cooperative Extension offices, and every county publishes its own fair book. Check yours before buying an animal, because rules differ.
2026 dates
Chaves County ran July 24 to August 1, Eastern Navajo held its show July 23 and 24, Curry County ran August 10 to 15 and Socorro County ran August 31 to September 6, per their fair books.
What varies
Minimum market steer weights range from 800 pounds in Chaves to 950 in Curry County. Ownership deadlines, tagging, health papers and entry fees also differ, and Curry requires YQCA for production steers.
Sale and state fair
Each fair holds a junior livestock sale; Curry caps slots at 102 and lets each exhibitor sell one animal. Blue ribbon winners and qualifying livestock exhibitors can go on to the New Mexico State Fair at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque. Entry deadlines run from mid-June to August 1, so mark them early. Ask your Extension office for next year's fair book and deadlines.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Bernalillo County Pressure Canner Testing
Home canners bring pressure canner gauges for testing in a Wednesday afternoon session. Held several times each year; the most recent session was November 11, 2026.
1510 Menaul Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107 | (505) 243-1386 | Organizer: Bernalillo County Extension Office Official event details - Successful Weed Control Class
Registration-required Extension class on controlling weeds on small acreages and home landscapes. Held each year; the most recent class was November 14, 2026.
Albuquerque, NM | Organizer: Bernalillo County Extension Office Official event details - Valencia County Master Gardener Open House
Open house for prospective volunteers at the Valencia County Extension Office, with a presentation at 5:30 PM on November 18, 2026. RSVP by November 16; 2027 intern applications are due December 18, 2026.
404 Courthouse Road, Los Lunas, NM 87031 | 505-565-3002 | Organizer: NMSU Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service Official event details - Bachechi Speaker Series Animal Trailing
Morning talk on animal trailing at the Bachechi Open Space in Albuquerque's North Valley, part of an Extension speaker series. Held on the stated date, November 21, 2026.
Albuquerque, NM | Organizer: Bernalillo County Extension Office Official event details - Think Trees New Mexico Conference
Two-day tree and urban forestry conference in Albuquerque promoted by Bernalillo County Extension. Next dates are February 11 and 12, 2027.
Albuquerque, NM | Organizer: Bernalillo County Extension Office Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.