What the Malheur County Fair and Rodeo Is
The Malheur County Fair and Rodeo in Ontario began in 1909 as the Ontario Corn Festival and now draws more than 20,000 visitors each year. It celebrates the region's agricultural and homemaking traditions with livestock shows, a junior livestock auction, a two-night NPRA rodeo, open class exhibits, contests and stage entertainment. The 2026 fair ran Tuesday, July 28 through Saturday, August 1 at the Malheur County Fairgrounds, 795 NW 9th Street, Ontario, OR 97914.
Divisions and Who Can Enter
Entries come in three departments: Open Class, 4-H and FFA. Open Class ages are Adult (19 and up), Intermediate (14-18), Pre-Intermediate (7-13) and Junior (6 and under); professionals have no age class. Open Class exhibitors from outside the county and state are welcome, but crossover from 4-H or FFA into Open Class is not allowed. Open Class livestock must be owned at least two weeks before the fair, and land products must be grown by the exhibitor.
Livestock Classes
- Beef by breed (Hereford, Black Angus, Red Angus, Chi Angus, Shorthorn, other) with showmanship; market steers 1,000 lbs minimum.
- Dairy cattle by breed with showmanship, shown on Wednesday.
- Dairy goats, meat goats (Boer and pygmy) and pygmy goats; market goats 65 to 120 lbs.
- Sheep by breed; swine by breed with a 225 lb market hog minimum.
- Horses: showmanship, western equitation, western pleasure, trail and ranch horse.
- Small animals: cavies, poultry, rabbits and dogs (obedience and showmanship).
Fees and Deadlines
- Livestock pre-registration deadline: July 1, to secure stall space.
- Entry fee: $5 per animal for beef, dairy, goats, horses, sheep and swine; $3 per bird, rabbit or dog.
- Photography and scarecrow jackpot contests: $10 cash entry each.
- Animals must be in place by 7 p.m. Tuesday.
- Camping: tent $30 per week, RV with power $175 per week, RV without power $100 per week.
How the Week Works
Vet checks start Monday for horses (9 to 11 a.m.). On Tuesday small animals and swine are checked 7 to 10 a.m., goats and sheep 10 a.m. to noon, and dairy and beef 4 to 7 p.m. Market beef weigh-in is 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., and market lamb and goat weigh-in 10:30 a.m. to noon. Exhibitor meetings run most days at 7 a.m. The 4-H round robin is at 4 p.m. and the FFA round robin at 5 p.m. in the Beef Arena, followed by the FFA awards ceremony. The Junior Livestock and Dairy Auction starts at 10 a.m. in the Beef Arena. Open Class market animals may not sell through the junior auction.
Health Rules
Every animal gets a vet exam on arrival. Sheep and goats need USDA scrapie tags (goats may use a registration tattoo). Heifers over four months need brucellosis vaccination with official ID. Animals from Idaho need an Idaho health certificate, and out-of-state horses need a current negative Coggins test. Drug administration forms are required, and owners pay vet fees.
Admission, Rodeo and Awards
Gate admission is $5 for a day pass or $20 for a season pass. NPRA rodeo performances are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., with mutton bustin' at 6 p.m.; rodeo tickets are $10 for ages 13 and up, $6 for ages 6-12 and free for age 5 and under. Open Class ribbons pay $3 for blue, $2 for red and $1 for white, with sweepstakes awards by total ribbon points and Best of Show honors. Premiums are paid by cash or check and may be prorated if funds are short. Open Class premiums are picked up the Monday after the fair, noon to 4 p.m., at the Fair Office.
Questions
Where do animals enter?
Horses use the West Gate; other animals use the South Gate.
When can Open Class exhibits be picked up?
Sunday after the fair, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Who do I call?
Malheur County Fair Office, 541-889-3431.
Official Links
Oregon County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Oregon county fairs are where most 4-H and FFA exhibitors show and sell market animals. Each fair has its own book, but a few patterns hold.
Timing
Northeast Oregon fairs cluster from late July into early September, per a regional byway listing. The 2026 Oregon State Fair ran August 28 to September 7 in Salem, per KPTV.
Rules to watch
Union County's 2026 fair book requires 4-H enrollment by February 1, YQCA training, 60 days of care for sheep, goats and swine, and 120 for steers. Only blue and red ribbon animals sell, with a 4 percent commission.
State Fair
At the state level, the Oregon State Fair 4-H handbook says market hogs, steers, goats, lambs, rabbits and chickens go home with the exhibitor rather than selling, and 4-H animals need a YQCA certificate at check-in, per the combined fair book.
Next steps
Get your county fair book from the Extension 4-H office and mark every deadline. Dates and weights change each year.
Read the full guide: Oregon County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Jordan Valley Big Loop Rodeo
Jordan Valley Big Loop Rodeo brings professional and community rodeo action to Jordan Valley in Malheur County. Held each year; the most recent dates posted were 2027-05-14 to 2027-05-16, and organizers may adjust them.
Jordan Valley, OR Official event details - Nyssa Nite Rodeo
Nyssa Nite Rodeo brings professional and community rodeo action to Nyssa in Malheur County. Held each year; the most recent dates posted were 2027-06-18 to 2027-06-19, and organizers may adjust them.
Nyssa, OR Official event details - High Desert Stampede
High Desert Stampede brings professional and community rodeo action to Redmond in Deschutes County. Held each year; the most recent dates posted were 2027-03-31 to 2027-04-03, and organizers may adjust them.
Redmond, OR Official event details - Medford Pear Blossom Festival Street Fair
Spring street fair in Medford tied to the Pear Blossom celebration of Rogue Valley orchards. Held each year; the most recent dates posted were 2027-04-10 to 2027-04-11, and organizers may adjust them.
Medford, OR Official event details - Northwest Cherry Festival
Cherry-country festival in The Dalles celebrating the Columbia Gorge fruit season. Held each year; the most recent dates posted were 2027-04-23 to 2027-04-25, and organizers may adjust them.
The Dalles, OR Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.