What the Washington County Fair Is
The Washington County Fair is held in spring rather than summer. The most recent edition ran April 10 to 18, 2026, at the county fairgrounds in Hurricane, and an official fair magazine was published in March 2026. Its 4-H division, run with USU Extension Washington County, invites young exhibitors to show projects in nine classes and to compete in a 4-H speed horse show.
4-H Classes You Can Enter
- Class 1, Fine Arts: painting, sculpture, papier mache, drawing, graphics, ceramics and pottery (up to 5 exhibits).
- Class 2, Communications and Expressive Arts: performing arts, arts and crafts (jewelry, fabric, foam, paper, wood carving), scrapbooks, leather and metal work, and photography.
- Class 3, Consumer and Family Science: childcare, sewing, knitting, needlecraft, recycled clothing, quilting, crochet, home environment and STEM sewing.
- Class 4, Environmental Education and Earth Sciences: environmental stewardship, rock and mineral collections, energy, forestry and range management.
- Class 5, Healthy Lifestyle Education: foods and nutrition posters, food preservation (max 2 per area), baked goods and decorated cakes (max 2 per area), and outdoor cooking.
- Class 6, Citizenship and Leadership: community service, career exploration, collections, portfolios.
- Class 7, Plants and Animals: flowers and house plants, fruits and vegetables (2 items), agricultural projects, and animal posters and notebooks. Live animals go to the Small Animal Show.
- Class 8, Science and Technology: entomology, aerospace and rocketry, coding, robotics, maker, 3D printed and laser projects.
- Class 9, 4-H Horse Show: a speed show for grades 3 to 12 with test, barrels, poles and trail.
How It Works: The Timeline
- January 5 to March 27, 2026: online registration only. There is no on-site registration.
- Thursday, April 2, 8 am to 6 pm, and Friday, April 3, 9 am to 1 pm: exhibit intake.
- Monday, April 6, 6 pm: horse show in the Covered Arena.
- Thursday, April 9, 8 to 11 am: intake for perishables (foods, baked goods, fruits, vegetables and plants).
- Monday, April 20, 9 am to 5 pm: exhibits released. Nothing can be reclaimed earlier.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Members must be in grades 3 to 12 and not past age 19 on January 1. Clover Buds (ages 5 to 8) are judged in the small category, and under-5 Pre-4-H members receive participant ribbons.
- You must be enrolled with USU Extension Washington County 4-H in each project you exhibit.
- Only legal county residents compete; others are display-only, as are items shown at a previous county or state fair.
- Items must be finished between April 2025 and April 2026, complete, clean and your own work.
- Up to 5 items per class, unlimited classes, maximum 20 entries per person.
- Food must stay shelf-stable for the fair and carry a 3x5 recipe card or ingredient list. Baked goods and produce are not returned.
- The same article cannot be entered in both the Home and Fine Arts division and 4-H.
Premiums and Awards
Judging uses the Danish system, so every qualified exhibit earns a blue, red or white ribbon. Blue ribbons pay $4 (small) or $6 (large), red $3 or $4, white $1 or $2, and green ribbons are for participation only. Special awards: Sweepstakes $20, Reserve Sweepstakes $15, Best of Show $20 and Judges Choice $10. Cash is paid at the premium bank; money not redeemed by 5 pm on April 20 can be collected at the Washington County Treasurer's Office, 111 East Tabernacle, St. George, and all money must be claimed by May 29, 2026 or it is forfeited. A claim ticket issued at entry is needed for money and articles.
Questions
Is there an entry fee listed?
The 4-H entry document lists premiums only and no entry fee.
Can I register at the door?
No. Registration is online only.
What happens to items left behind?
Items left at the fairgrounds after April 20 go to the Extension Office in Hurricane and are discarded after 30 days.
Who do I call?
USU Extension Washington County, 435-301-7746, for registration help and general questions.
Official Links
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
- 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 - Washington County Fair 4-H Small Animal Show
Animal costume contest on April 14 and rabbit and chicken shows on April 15 during the April Washington County Fair. Held each year; the most recent dates were April 14 and 15, 2026.
Hurricane, UT | 435-301-7740 Official event details - Utah 4-H Region Horse, Livestock and Small Animal Contests
Regional horse, livestock and small-animal contests in St. George, April 16-17 of the most recent posted calendar. Held each year.
St. George, UT | Organizer: Utah 4-H Official event details - Dixie Roundup
St. George Lions Club rodeo at the Historic Sunbowl, three nights in September 2026. Held each year.
St. George, UT Official event details - Dixie Roundup Rodeo
St. George Lions Club Dixie Roundup, a three-night rodeo at the Historic Sunbowl. Held each year; the most recent dates were September 17 to 19, 2026.
St. George, UT Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.