What the Jefferson County Fair Is
The Jefferson County Fair is held each year in the second week of July at Jefferson County Fair Park, 503 N. Jackson Avenue in the city of Jefferson. The 2026 fair ran July 8 to 12 under the theme "Let the Good Times Grow!" It combines a Junior Fair with livestock and static projects, a youth livestock auction, grandstand motorsports and nightly music.
How It Works: The Timeline
- May 31, 11:59 p.m. Exhibit registration closes on FairEntry. The mandatory auction form, including the YQCA certificate, was also due May 31 (one per exhibitor), and new auction buyers registered online by the same date.
- June 15 Last Year Exhibitor Form due for last-year exhibitors.
- June 28 Static judging of all Sprout projects and most junior projects, including animal and vet science, natural science, cultural arts, photography, computers, woodworking, electricity, mechanical science, clothing, knitting and crocheting, home environment, child development, youth leadership and health. Exhibitors sign up for a time slot.
- July 5 Music and drama performances, scheduled by superintendents.
- July 7 Foods, plant and soil science, and flowers and house plants judging. Beef live grading at 7 a.m.
- July 8 to 12 The fair, with animal shows, grandstand events and music.
- July 12 Live archery judging.
Animal Show Schedule
| Species | When |
|---|---|
| Beef | Wed., July 8, 8 a.m.: feeder calves, market, breeds, bred and owned, showperson |
| Sheep | Wed., July 8, 1 p.m. |
| Goats | Dairy goats Wed., July 8, 9 a.m.; meat goats and market Thu., July 9, 9 a.m. |
| Equine | Showperson, driving and trail Wed., July 8, 9 a.m.; gymkhana and under saddle Thu., July 9, 9 a.m. |
| Swine | Thu., July 9, 9 a.m. |
| Dairy | Showperson Thu., July 9, 6 p.m.; breed show Fri., July 10, 9 a.m. |
| Poultry | Market and eggs Thu., July 9, 9 a.m.; showperson noon; breed show Fri., July 10, 10 a.m. |
| Rabbits | Wed., July 8, 1 p.m.; pets and showperson Thu., July 9, 1 p.m.; hopping Sun., July 12, 9 a.m. |
| Draft horse | Fri., July 10 and Sat., July 11 |
| Cats | Thu., July 9, 4 p.m. |
Sprout (young exhibitor) shows are Thursday for rabbits, Friday for poultry and Sunday at 10 a.m. for dairy, beef, swine, sheep, goats and equine.
Rules and Animal Health
- A PRRS/PEDv test is no longer required for swine in 2026, but a certificate of veterinary inspection is.
- Lactating dairy cattle no longer need a negative influenza A milk sample.
- Beef bred and owned exhibitors bring a Bred and Owned Affidavit to check-in. Sprouts bring a liability waiver to their show.
- Bedding is free for beef and swine exhibitors.
- After arrival, find your department's superintendent. Trailer parking is color-coded: beef, sheep, goat and swine at the southwest end, equine at the northwest end, dairy on the northeast side.
- Fair Five Packs cost $35 if not bought ahead.
Entertainment
The Coors Light Entertainment Tent hosts Feudin' Hillbillys on Thursday, Gimme Skynyrd on Friday and Chasin' U on Saturday. The grandstand runs two tractor pulls Wednesday, a truck pull Thursday, a standup comedy showcase Friday, a horse pull Saturday and the demo derby Sunday. The WSLD Community Stage has daily local performers and bingo.
Where and Who to Call
Jefferson County Fair Park, 503 N. Jackson Avenue, Jefferson, WI. Fair office: 920-674-7139.
Questions
When did registration close?
May 31 at 11:59 p.m.
Is there an auction form?
Yes. Each exhibitor submits one mandatory auction form, with the YQCA certificate, at JCoFair.com/auction by May 31.
Where do I sign up for static judging?
Through the SignUpGenius link, checking the premium book for each department's schedule.
Official Links
- Fair Timeline: deadlines and judging dates
- Fair Information: Animals: health rules and show schedule
- 2026 music lineup: entertainment and grandstand
- 2026 theme: dates and theme
Ohio County Fairs and Junior Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Ohio's 2026 fair season listed 94 county and independent fairs plus the Ohio State Fair, running from the Paulding County Fair on June 6 to the Fairfield County Fair ending October 17, per Spectrum News.
State fair
The Ohio State Fair ran July 29 to August 9 in Columbus, and its preliminary livestock schedule put the Sale of Champions on August 9.
Rules and dates
Statewide, market animal exhibitors must finish Quality Assurance at least 45 days before the show, and leasing market animals is not allowed, per the livestock rules overview. Ownership and tagging dates vary by county. Lucas County, for example, set a January 1 ownership date for market beef, per its livestock rules.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office or FFA advisor for your fair book, tagging dates and sale rules. Weights and entry limits differ by fair, and Pickaway County, for instance, caps exhibitors at 10 animals with no more than 5 market animals. Put QA, tagging and registration dates on one calendar the day you receive them.
Read the full guide: Ohio County Fairs and Junior Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Jefferson County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
Members vote on board trustees and a code of regulations amendment and set county policy at Scaffidi's in Steubenville. Held each year; the most recent date was September 3, 2026.
350 S. Hollywood Blvd., Steubenville, OH 43952 | Organizer: Jefferson County Farm Bureau Official event details - Wayne County 4-H Recognition Banquet
Annual banquet honoring Wayne County 4-H members and volunteers, held Nov. 12, 2026 in the Event Center at the fairgrounds.
- Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
The 107th Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting brought members to downtown Columbus for two days. Held each year; the most recent dates were December 11-12, 2025.
- Wayne County 4-H Beef Weigh-In
Market beef project members weigh in at the Coliseum on the Wayne County fairgrounds; Jan. 24 was the weather makeup date. Held each year; the most recent date was Jan. 10, 2026.
Wooster, OH Official event details - Shelby County 4-H Market Beef Weigh-In and Tagging
Market cattle weigh-in and tagging for Shelby County junior fair exhibitors at the fairgrounds, with a Jan. 25 makeup date for bad weather. Held each year; the most recent date was Jan. 11, 2026.
Sidney, OH Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.