What the Los Alamos County Fair and Rodeo Is
The Los Alamos County Fair and Rodeo is a free, three-day community event held the second weekend of August. It combines a parade, a festival at Ashley Pond Park, a county exhibit show at the Mesa Public Library, pie baking, a night rodeo at Brewer Arena, a cowboy dinner and dance, and a stable stroll. The most recent edition was August 7 to 9, 2026. The 2027 edition is set for August 13, 14 and 15, with a night rodeo on Saturday and the parade theme "Rodeo Nights."
Ways to Take Part
| Way to take part | What to know |
|---|---|
| Enter exhibits | Youth and adult categories: clothing, knitting, crochet, needlework, quilts, baked goods, preserved foods, hobbies and crafts, fine arts, photography, horticulture and 4-H projects |
| March in the parade | Floats, autos, walkers, horses or livestock; registration is free, first-come first-served |
| Ride in the rodeo | Contestants register by call or text to TA Rodeo at (719) 580-3022 |
| Bake a pie | Pie Baking Contest at Ashley Pond Park, entries 11 a.m., judging noon |
| Vend | Complete a vendor permit form for the Recreation Division |
| Volunteer | Adults 18 and older staff parade road closures, check in at 9:30 a.m. |
How the Exhibit Show Works
- Pre-register online in late July at the Los Alamos Extension county fair page.
- Drop off all exhibits except horticulture on the Wednesday before the fair, 2 to 6 p.m., on the third floor of Mesa Public Library. Horticulture drops off Friday morning, 8 to 11 a.m.
- Public viewing Friday 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Pick up after the show at the library.
The Weekend Schedule
Friday
County Fair exhibits 3 to 8 p.m. at Mesa Public Library, and a Friday Night Summer Concert Series show at Ashley Pond Park, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Festival and Fair at Ashley Pond Park
- 10 a.m. County Fair Parade on Central Avenue
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Exhibits at Mesa Public Library
- 11 a.m. Pie baking entries at the park, judging at noon
- 6 to 10 p.m. County Night Rodeo at Brewer Arena, with a watermelon eating contest
- Cowboy Dinner (5 to 7 p.m.) and Dance (7 to 9 p.m.) at the Los Alamos Sheriff's Posse Lodge
Sunday
Stroll the Stables, 9 a.m. to noon at North Mesa Stables, a walk among horses, goats, chickens, geese and llamas with a chance to learn about riding. The Tough Enough to Wear Pink rodeo runs 1 to 5 p.m. at Brewer Arena with another watermelon eating contest.
Rodeo Admission
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Age 2 and under | Free |
| Youth (3-17) and seniors (60+) | $5 |
| Adults (18-59) | $10 |
| Family of four | $25 |
The fair, parade and exhibits are free to attend.
Where
Events are spread across town: Ashley Pond Park, Mesa Public Library, Central Avenue for the parade, Brewer Arena for the rodeo, the Sheriff's Posse Lodge and North Mesa Stables.
Questions
Can I enter livestock in the parade?
Yes. Floats, autos, walking groups, horses and livestock are all welcome.
Who coordinates the event?
Los Alamos County coordinates the parade and the fair, with exhibits handled through the NMSU Los Alamos County Extension office.
Who do I call?
County Customer Care at 505-662-8333 can route calls to the Recreation Division.
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
- Los Alamos County Fair Indoor Exhibits
Public viewing of baking, crafts, photography and flower show entries on the library's third floor. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 7-8, 2026.
2400 Central Avenue, Los Alamos, NM | Organizer: Los Alamos County Fair and Rodeo Official event details - Los Alamos County Fair Stroll the Stables
Sunday-morning chance to meet horses, goats, chickens, geese and llamas at the North Mesa Stables. Held each year; the most recent date was August 9, 2026.
Los Alamos, NM | Organizer: Los Alamos County Fair and Rodeo Official event details - Los Alamos County Fair Night Rodeo
Saturday night rodeo with a watermelon eating contest at Brewer Arena on North Mesa. Held each year; the most recent date was August 8, 2026.
750 North Mesa, Los Alamos, NM | Organizer: Los Alamos County Fair and Rodeo Official event details - Los Alamos County Fair Parade
Rodeo Nights-themed parade down Central Avenue on Saturday morning. Held each year; the most recent date was August 8, 2026.
Los Alamos, NM | Organizer: Los Alamos County Fair and Rodeo Official event details - Los Alamos County Fair Pie Baking Contest
Pie baking contest with entries taken from 11 AM and judging at noon in Ashley Pond Park. Held each year; the most recent date was August 8, 2026.
Los Alamos, NM | Organizer: Los Alamos County Fair and Rodeo Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.