What the Loudoun County Fair Is
The Loudoun County Fair is a five-day summer fair in Leesburg that has run since 1936. It showcases local agricultural achievement and encourages young people through 4-H, the youth development program of Virginia Cooperative Extension. The nonprofit Loudoun Fair & Associates hosts it, and proceeds maintain the fairgrounds for 4-H clubs and other community groups. The 90th fair ran July 21-25, 2026. The 2027 fair is scheduled for July 20-24.
4-H Livestock Shows and the Auction
4-H members aged 5 to 19 show animals over the first four days. Species include alpacas, rabbits, poultry, pigs, sheep and cattle. Everyone who shows receives a free ride pass for the Saturday after competition. Club members set up a tent between the barns and gather during the week.
On Friday evening, 4-H youth sell their market class animals through live bidding in the livestock auction. At a recent auction, a winning pig sold to a local barbecue restaurant for $2,000. Miss Loudoun County Fair pageant winners (Little Miss 8-11, Junior Miss 12-15 and Miss 16-19) present ribbons at the livestock shows during the week.
Open Class: The Blue Ribbon Showcase
Residents enter the Blue Ribbon Showcase in 27 categories, such as baked goods, flowers, gardening, field crops, clothing, photography, crafts, jewelry and fine arts. Entries are judged before the fair opens, and winning entries are displayed during fair hours.
Entertainment
Recent fairs have featured a carnival with rides (Cliff Hanger, Tilt-A-Whirl, Wunder Wheel), a rodeo, a demolition derby, a Power Wheels Derby with age classes 3-5, 6-7 and 8-10, a pig scramble, cow pie bingo, a pie eating contest, a rabbit parade, a petting zoo, a gator show, magic shows, a monster truck show, line dancing and live country, bluegrass and rock music. Grapes & Grain, an optional add-on, offers Loudoun County beer and wine; tickets in 2025 were $8 each for a 16 oz beer or a 5 oz wine.
Hours, Admission and Parking
At the 2025 fair (July 22-26), hours were 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Carnival opening times ranged from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. depending on the day. Admission was charged, with prices varying by time of visit and by whether tickets were bought online or at the gate. Parking was $5, valid for all fair dates. Check the fair's schedule page for the 2027 hours and prices.
Where
Loudoun County Fairgrounds, 17558 Dry Mill Rd., Leesburg, VA 20175.
Questions
How old do I have to be to show an animal?
4-H members aged 5 to 19 can show.
When is the livestock auction?
Friday evening of fair week.
When is the 2027 fair?
July 20-24, 2027.
Official Links
- Loudoun County Fair: official website
- Loudoun County Fair 2025 schedule, tickets and parking: Patch
- The Loudoun County Fair offers a week of blue ribbon worthy entertainment: Northern Virginia Magazine
- Young Competitors, Big Dreams: Visit Loudoun
- County fairs calendar: Dulles Moms
Virginia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Virginia county fairs run from late June into the fall. In 2026, fairs on one roundup ran from Orange County on June 24 to 27 to Shenandoah County on August 28 to September 5, per a fairs roundup. Dates may change.
State fair
The 2026 State Fair of Virginia ran September 25 to October 4 at The Meadow Event Park in Doswell, per the fair press page. The youth beef, sheep, swine and meat goat shows were October 1 to 4, per the nomination letter.
Nomination and tags
Market animals needed nomination and DNA by July 1, and entries closed August 17 in 2026. Sheep and goats needed a scrapie tag, and cattle and hogs an 840 EID tag.
County rules
Shenandoah County required 4-H or FFA enrollment by February 1 and set ownership dates in March and June, per its 2025 rules.
2027 dates
A fair listing shows the Loudoun County Fair July 20 to 24, 2027, and the Prince William County Fair August 13 to 21, 2027. The State Fair of Virginia lists September 24 to October 3, 2027.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office or FFA advisor for the show book and tagging dates.
Weights and entry rules differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Virginia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Winter in the Woods 4-H Specialty Camp
Winter weekend outdoor specialty camp for 4-H youth at Holiday Lake 4-H Center in Appomattox. Held each year; the upcoming dates are December 5 to 6, 2026.
Appomattox, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details - Fluvanna 4-H County Contest Day
Fluvanna 4-H members compete at County Contest Day, scheduled for January 16, 2027 at the Fluvanna Community Center. It is the only contest on the county 4-H calendar this season.
VA | Organizer: Fluvanna 4-H Official event details - Holiday Lake Cloverbud Camp
Summer weekend camp for young Cloverbud 4-H members at Holiday Lake in Appomattox. Held each year; the upcoming dates are June 18 to 20, 2027.
Appomattox, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details - Woods and Wildlife Camp
Five-day summer 4-H camp on forestry and wildlife held at the Holiday Lake 4-H Center in Appomattox. Held each year; the upcoming dates are June 21 to 25, 2027.
Appomattox, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details - Shooting Education and Nature Adventure Camp
Summer 4-H camp teaching safe shooting sports and outdoor skills at Holiday Lake in Appomattox. Held each year; the upcoming dates are July 25 to 29, 2027.
Appomattox, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.