What the Eastern Navajo Fair Junior Livestock Show Is
The Eastern Navajo Fair at Crownpoint is the first big fair of the New Mexico summer circuit, and its youth centerpiece is the 4-H Junior Livestock and Archery Show, the 48th edition in 2026, themed "Shine and Show From the East." The show exists to encourage a practical interest among young people of 4-H and FFA and lets them showcase projects and skills for their community. The fair itself ran July 23 to 26, 2026, with the livestock show on July 23 and 24 at the Larry Lantana 4-H Livestock Pavilion.
Divisions and Classes
| Division | Classes |
|---|---|
| Large animal | Market swine, market lamb, market goat, market beef, each in light, medium and heavy weights |
| Small animal | Rabbits (junior and senior bucks and does) and poultry (cockerel, rooster, pullet, hen) |
| Booster (ages 5-8) | Booster market lamb, booster rabbit, booster poultry |
| Showmanship | Large and small animal showmanship, plus a large animal round robin |
| Archery | Target shoot with high point awards for novice, junior and senior, sighted and instinctive |
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Exhibitors must be in good standing in a chartered 4-H club or an FFA program and meet NM 4-H age categories: Cloverbud/Booster 5 to 8, Novice 9 to 11, Junior 12 to 13, Senior 14 to 19.
- Native American or Alaska Native 4-H or FFA members with tribal enrollment are eligible if enrolled in current-year projects. A non-Native member qualifies after two consecutive years in a recognized club on the Navajo Reservation that is at least 50 percent Native American.
- Animals must be owned by the exhibitor 60 days before the fair opens.
- Minimum weights are 70 pounds for market lambs (with a quarter inch of wool or less), 35 for goats, 800 for beef and 125 for swine. Market lambs may be wethers or ewes, swine barrows or gilts, beef steers or heifers, goats does or wethers.
- A hauling permit must accompany animals, available from a local Resource Enforcement Officer or state livestock inspector. Animals entering New Mexico need health papers dated within 30 days of check-in.
- Judging uses the American system. A division needs at least two entries to be judged.
- Dress code is a collared button shirt or the sponsored shirt, jeans or slacks, and closed-toe shoes.
Fees
- $5 administrative fee per exhibitor (once, not per entry)
- Large animal $10 per head, small animal $5 per head
- Showmanship $10, archery $10 per discipline
- Late check-in until 6:30 p.m. costs $25, cash only
Entry fees are non-refundable and must accompany the form by money order payable to "4-H Jr. Livestock." There are no walk-in entries.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Friday, June 12, 2026, 5 p.m. Entries must be postmarked to 4-H Jr. Livestock, PO Box 22, Crownpoint, NM 87313.
- Thursday, July 23 Livestock check-in and weigh-in from 1 to 6 p.m. Archery target shoot at 2 p.m. and participant and leader orientation at 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, July 24 The barn opens at 6 a.m. Large animal judging starts at 9 a.m. (booster lamb, swine, lamb, goat and beef with showmanship, then round robin), followed by a one hour break and the small animal division. Indoor exhibits are displayed 10 a.m. to noon in the tent near the pavilion. An awards ceremony and cookout and a Parade of Champions follow at times to be announced, and animals check out at 7 p.m.
Awards
Ribbons and premiums go to placing exhibitors, with grand and reserve champion awards, a large animal round robin showmanship award and archery high point awards. Boosters receive a ribbon and premium. Champions complete a thank you card before receiving awards.
Where
Larry Lantana 4-H Livestock Pavilion, Crownpoint, New Mexico. Pens and cages are assigned at check-in, and generators are encouraged at campsites.
Questions
Can I enter at the gate?
No. Entries are mail-in only with a money order.
Can a young child take part?
Yes. Ages 5 to 8 can enter the booster lamb, rabbit and poultry classes. Showmanship begins at novice level.
Who do I call?
(505) 270-7251 or (505) 419-9124.
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
- Northern Regional 4-H Livestock School
Regional hands-on livestock school for 4-H members held at the Bi-County Fairgrounds in Prewitt; the most recent dates were June 19-20, 2026. Held each year at a rotating regional site.
Prewitt, NM | Organizer: NMSU Cooperative Extension Official event details - Eastern Navajo Fair 4-H Junior Livestock and Archery Show
Held each year in Crownpoint during the Eastern Navajo Fair; the most recent dates were July 23-24, 2026. The 4-H junior livestock and archery show has its own rules and regulations packet.
Crownpoint, NM | Organizer: McKinley County Extension Official event details - Cibola and McKinley County Fair
Bi-county fair for Cibola and McKinley counties held at Prewitt; latest dates September 3-7, 2026.
Prewitt, NM Official event details - Cibola-McKinley Bi-County Fair
Held each year over Labor Day weekend in Prewitt; the most recent dates were Sept. 3-7, 2026 (57th annual). Five days of 4-H and open exhibits, market animal shows, a junior livestock sale, team roping and a bull riding challenge.
Prewitt, NM Official event details - Cibola and McKinley Bi-County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were September 3-7, 2026 over Labor Day weekend. The 57th annual Bi-County Fair at the fairgrounds in Prewitt serves Cibola and McKinley county 4-H and FFA members over the Labor Day weekend.
Prewitt, NM Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.