What the San Juan County Fair Is
The San Juan County Fair and Carnival is the biggest week of the year for 4-H members and livestock exhibitors in northwest New Mexico, held at McGee Park in Farmington and run by the San Juan County Fair Board. The 2026 fair ran August 10 to 15 under the theme "250 Years, Red, White and Blue," with a parade the Friday before and the carnival running through Sunday, August 16.
Ways to Take Part
4-H indoor projects
Indoor entries must be pre-registered; forms come from the San Juan County Extension Office and were due no later than July 23, 2026. Exhibitors must be enrolled in the right 4-H project for each class, the work must be their own and it must be finished within the current 4-H year. Check-in is Saturday, August 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the McGee Park Multi-Purpose Building, and check-out is Sunday, August 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Families or club leaders may drop off for other members. Only 4-H entry staff may place exhibits for judging.
Best of Show Cake
Novice, Junior and Senior members in good standing may enter a cake at the Multi-Purpose Building on the Saturday before fair. Winners receive a buckle and cash. Cakes are judged on taste, decoration, creativity and a required binder with the recipe and a baking story, and may not exceed 8 inches in height. Refrigerated cakes are accepted. This contest does not count toward state fair or high point.
Livestock, rabbits and poultry
Animal check-in runs 7 a.m. to noon, entering off Bloomfield Highway. Bring your market certification (signed by the 4-H agent that day), bill of sale and Form 1 brand inspection. Poultry, market chicken, rabbit and market rabbit entries are made through ShowWorks by July 15. The poultry barn, rabbit barn and riding arena are at McGee Park.
Who Can Join 4-H
Youth ages 5 to 19 may register, and membership is free with over 200 projects. The county has more than 460 youth members, 130 adult volunteers, 17 clubs and special project groups for rabbits, dogs, rifle, archery, shotgun, rodeo and horses.
For Visitors: Admission and Schedule
- Admission: $10 adults, $5 children and seniors. Carnival one-price wristband $30 ($27 online).
- Special days: Kids Day (August 10), kids 12 and under in with two canned food items; Scouts in uniform free (August 11); Senior Citizens and Special Needs Day free (August 12); Lions Day (August 13), kids 12 and under free with an old pair of eyeglasses.
- Hours: fairgrounds 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Convention Center opens 10 a.m.; buildings close 10 p.m.
- August 7: parade, line-up 4:30 p.m. at Butler and Main, parade 6:00 p.m. downtown.
- August 10: Barnyard Olympics 1 p.m.; Outhouse Race 7 p.m.
- August 13: goat and lamb costume contest 7 p.m., pig costume contest, goat milking contest 8 p.m.
- August 14: Skip Ewing 7:30 p.m. and Casey Chesnutt 9:15 p.m.
- August 15: rooster crowing contest 9 a.m., stick horse race 10 a.m., salsa contest 5:30 p.m., Tate Stevens 7:30 p.m., Andy Griggs 9:15 p.m.
Where
McGee Park, 41 Road 5568, Farmington, NM. Entries are submitted to the San Juan County Extension Office, 400 S. Gossett Dr., Aztec, NM 87410.
Questions
Who do I call?
The San Juan County Extension Office at 505-334-9496 for 4-H entries, or the fair board at 505-325-5415.
Do I need to pre-register indoor projects?
Yes. Pre-registration by the deadline is required to exhibit.
Official Links
- San Juan County Fair and Carnival: dates, admission and schedule
- 2026 4-H fair indoor entry rules
- San Juan County 4-H July 2026 newsletter
Utah County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Utah county fairs run from Washington County's April fair to Iron County in early September, with most in early to mid August, per USU Extension's 2026 fair schedule. Salt Lake County holds 4-H Discovery Days instead of a fair, and a few counties were still to be determined.
Livestock shows
Market animals compete on a regional circuit of junior livestock shows that ends at the Utah State Fair in Salt Lake City. For 2026 the State Fair market show charged $25 per animal, with entries closing August 14, per the fair's page.
Tagging and age
Cattle must be tagged 100 days before a show and sheep, goats and hogs 60 days, and exhibitors must be 8 and in third grade, per Utah County's tagging page.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office for your fair's premium book, entry deadlines and weigh-in rules.
Weigh-in, drug rules and sale terms vary by show, so read the rule book first.
Read the full guide: Utah County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- San Juan Stampede Pro Rodeo
Two-night pro rodeo in Monticello held each year in June; the most recent nights were June 11 and 12, 2026.
Monticello, UT Official event details - Utah Farm Bureau Annual Convention
110th annual convention under the theme Stewarding Land, Leaders, and Legacy, with general session, breakouts, committee meetings and a gala banquet.
220 W Center St, Unit 200, Provo, UT | Organizer: Utah Farm Bureau Federation Official event details - Utah Beekeepers Association Annual Convention
Two-day beekeeping convention with a Friday night dinner and a Zoom option; in-person seating for 2027 is sold out.
920 W Levoy Dr, Taylorsville, UT | Organizer: Utah Beekeepers' Association Official event details - Dixie Junior Livestock Show
April show with weigh-in, showmanship, market show, awards banquet and a Saturday livestock sale for 4-H and FFA members ages 8 to 18. Next dates are April 22 to 24, 2027, with registration open October 15 to December 31, 2026.
5500 West 700 South, Hurricane, UT, Hurricane, UT 84737 | 435-301-7748 Official event details - Millard County Junior Livestock Show
Spring youth market animal show in Delta; estimated 2027 dates are May 25-28. Held each year.
Delta, UT | Organizer: Utah 4-H and FFA Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.