What the Washington County Fair Is
The Washington County Fair in Hillsboro runs several weeks of fair events, with its 4-H and FFA livestock program packed into the final stretch. In 2026 the fair opened Friday, July 24 with HEARTH activities, and the livestock barns filled on Wednesday, July 29. Posted dates for the next edition are July 23 to August 1, 2027. The 4-H and FFA schedule covers market animals, showmanship, small animals, dogs, an auction and Master Showmanship.
How the 4-H and FFA Program Is Laid Out
- HEARTH exhibits and contests (home, arts and sciences) at Wingspan: judging day July 18, food contests July 25, floral arranging July 25, fashion revue and HEARTH and senior awards July 26.
- Dog Fair on Saturday, July 25, 10 a.m., in the Cloverleaf Building.
- Cloverbud Day on Sunday, July 26, with show and tell for cavies, rabbits and poultry, eating contests, egg decorating and field day games.
- Livestock and small animals: beef, sheep, goats, swine, dairy, poultry, turkeys, rabbits, cavies and fiber animals.
How It Works: Livestock Week (2026 Edition)
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Thu, July 16, 7 p.m. | Get Ready for Fair meeting for small animal and livestock exhibitors |
| Tue, July 28, 5-7 p.m. | Barn decorating and supply move-in at the Cloverleaf gate |
| Wed, July 29 | Move-in day. Vet check 7-11 a.m. Weigh-ins: rabbit and chicken 1 p.m., turkey 2 p.m., sheep and goat 3-4 p.m., beef 5:30-6:30 p.m., swine 6:45 p.m. Safety meeting 4:30 p.m. |
| Thu, July 30 | Market beef, market sheep, market goat conformation and swine market and breeding from 5 p.m.; sheep showmanship 6 p.m.; beef conformation 7 p.m. |
| Fri, July 31 | Sheep and Goat Olympics (4-H and FFA only) 2 p.m.; beef, sheep, meat goat and swine showmanship 5-6 p.m.; cavy show 7 p.m. |
| Sat, Aug 1 | Dairy goat and dairy cattle events; fiber goat showmanship 1:30 p.m.; Blue Ribbon Steak Dinner 4 p.m.; auction starts 6 p.m. |
| Sun, Aug 2 | Master Showmanship from 10 a.m. (FFA at noon, small animal 1-2:30 p.m.); 4-H awards 3-4 p.m.; FFA awards 4-5 p.m.; move-out from 7 p.m. |
Key Dates and Notes
- Fair hours: Wednesday through Friday opens 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday opens 10 a.m., all closing at midnight.
- Barns close at 9 p.m. July 29 through August 1 and at 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 2.
- All vehicles must be off the grounds by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29.
- State Fair qualifiers must file their State Fair intent at the Cloverleaf Office before 3 p.m. Sunday, August 2.
- Campers and RVs must be out by 3 p.m. on Sunday. Staggered animal move-out begins at 7 p.m., market animals and small animals first, then non-market sheep and horses, dairy cattle, beef and swine, and finally non-market goats.
- Poultry testing by the state vet happens Friday between 10 and 11 a.m.; rabbit carry-in vet check is Saturday at 9 a.m.
The Auction and Master Showmanship
The auction ring hosts the Saturday auction, the awards and the Master Showmanship contests. Sunday morning begins with a mandatory ring setup at 9 a.m. for all auction participants. Master Showmanship covers dairy cattle, beef, horse, sheep, goat and swine, plus separate FFA and small animal rounds. The Blue Ribbon Steak Dinner, presented by the Washington County Livestock Association, comes right before the sale.
Questions
Where do the livestock shows happen?
In the Cloverleaf complex: the Livestock Barn, Small Animal Barn, Rabbit Barn, and the Sheep, Goat and Swine rings, with the Auction Ring for the sale and awards.
Are Cloverbuds included?
Yes, with a dedicated Cloverbud Day on July 26.
Official Links
- 2026 Washington County 4-H fair schedule (PDF)
- Washington County Fair
- Washington County 4-H at the fair
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
- Helvetia Lavender Festival
Lavender farm festival near Hillsboro in the Tualatin Valley, held over two summer weekends. Held each year; the most recent dates posted were 2027-07-02 to 2027-07-04, and organizers may adjust them.
Hillsboro, OR Official event details - Lee Farms Sunflower Festival
Sunflower field festival at a Tualatin farm, with multiple weekends of visits. Held each year; the most recent dates posted were 2027-08-04 to 2027-08-22, and organizers may adjust them.
Tualatin, OR Official event details - Pumpkin Festival at Roloff Farms
Pumpkin patch festival at Roloff Farms near Hillsboro. Held each year; the most recent dates posted were 2027-10-01 to 2027-10-03, and organizers may adjust them.
Hillsboro, OR Official event details - Washington County 4-H Fair
Washington County 4-H fair program at Westside Commons, with HEARTH judging, dog fair, fashion revue, sheep and goat olympics and master showmanship. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 17 to August 3, 2026.
Hillsboro, OR | 503-648-1416 | Organizer: Washington County 4-H 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
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.