What the Thurston County Fair Is
The Thurston County Fair is a four-day county fair at the Thurston County Fairgrounds and Event Center in Lacey. It mixes open-class exhibits that anyone in the community can enter with 4-H and FFA livestock shows, a youth animal market sale, carnival rides, free concerts with paid admission and a run of themed discount days. The most recent edition ran Thursday, July 30 through Sunday, August 2, 2026.
Who Can Enter and Rules
Open Class exhibits are open to all community members at no cost, though management may limit exhibits based on space. 4-H and FFA exhibitors follow their own guides. Everything is registered through the Fair Entry system (thurstoncountyfair.fairentry.com) and all exhibits must be registered before opening day.
- Cattle must be double-tied with acceptable halters; no horned animals or scurs over 1 inch.
- Sheep and goats need USDA scrapie identification, and horned 4-H animals must have tips covered.
- Poultry need Pullorum-Typhoid clean certification (within 90 days), a Premises ID Number and certification that the exhibitor has read the Exotic Newcastle Disease regulations.
- Only healthy animals free of parasites may come; vets check for lice and communicable diseases with no exceptions.
- Each species needs one adult and two exhibitors present during fair hours.
- Animals must be fed and stalls cleaned by 10 AM daily, and owners supply their own tools, hay and grain.
How It Works: The Timeline
- June 1: Fair Entry opens for registration and camping reservations.
- July 1: animal entry deadline.
- July 13, 6:30 PM: final superintendent meeting before the fair at the Expo Center.
- July 29: animal haul-in. 4-H vet checks run 8:30 AM to 3 PM and 5 PM to 8 PM at the Hicks Lake, Swine, Hoop and Simons barns, with no vet check or animals entering from 3 to 5 PM.
- Livestock, poultry and rabbits must be in place by 9 PM the day before the fair; booths must be ready by 10 AM on opening day.
- July 30 to August 2: the fair. Livestock, horses, poultry and rabbits are released Sunday after 6 PM.
- August 3: still life and animal haul-out.
Fees, Awards and What You Get
Exhibiting in Open Class is free. Ribbons are Blue (first), Red (second) and White (third). Premiums under $5.00 are not paid, and checks are mailed by the County Auditor after the fair. Judging decisions are final; protests must be filed in writing within 48 hours with a $25.00 deposit, forfeited if the protest fails. Exhibitor passes cost $10 for 4-H, FFA, Open Class and youth exhibitors and $16 for an adult exhibitor or leader. The fair also hosts the Thurston County Youth Animal Market Sale and 4-H and FFA livestock judging.
Admission, Hours and Discount Days
| Ticket | Daily | Season pass |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $9 | $23 |
| Senior (over 60) | $8 | $20 |
| Youth (6-14) | $7 | $17 |
| Age 5 and under | Free | Free |
Parking was $7 daily or $22 for the season. Gates: Thursday 10 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 10 PM, Sunday 10 AM to 8 PM. Thursday was Thrifty Thursday ($1 with a non-perishable food donation for the Thurston County Food Bank), Saturday was Military and First Responders Day ($2 with ID, with a free County Commissioners Pancake Breakfast at Heritage Hall from 8:30 to 10:00 AM), and Sunday was Kids Day ($2 for ages 6-14). Friday offered an unlimited carnival ride wristband. Entertainment included a circus act, chainsaw art demos, Reptile Isle, live bands, the Kiddie Krawl diaper derby and apple pie and cupcake contests.
Questions
Does it cost anything to enter a pie or a quilt?
Open Class exhibiting is free for community members.
When must my animal be registered?
By the July 1 animal entry deadline, through Fair Entry.
When can I take my animal home?
Release is Sunday after 6 PM, as scheduled by superintendents. Early withdrawal is only allowed for vet-documented emergencies.
Who to Call
The Fair Office: 360-786-5453 (Fair Entry help and accessibility assistance).
Official Links
Washington County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Washington's fair season runs from spring youth fairs to the Central Washington State Fair in Yakima, September 25 to October 4 in 2026, per a fair calendar. The Washington State Fair in Puyallup ran September 4 to 27.
Who can show
The state 4-H handbook requires members to be eight by October 1 to compete in livestock shows or sales. Cloverbuds, ages 5 to 7, cannot compete.
Rules to know
Animals sold at a junior livestock auction cannot be leased. Market steers must be polled or dehorned. Washington 4-H recommends YQCA training. Ownership dates vary: San Juan County's 2026 auction guide lists beef by April 15 and swine, lamb and goat by June 14.
Next steps
Ask your county WSU Extension office for your fair book. Dates, weights and sale rules change, so confirm with the organizer.
Read the full guide: Washington County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Thurston County Youth Exposition and Jackpot
Free-admission youth livestock competition for sheep, goats, pigs and cows with clinics and a showmanship platform, first held in 2026. Held each year; the most recent dates were April 25-26, 2026.
Lacey, WA | Organizer: Thurston County 4-H Official event details - Washington Cattlemen and Cattlewomen Annual Convention and Tradeshow
Held each year; the most recent dates verified were November 12-14, 2025, the 100th convention, at the Wenatchee Convention Center.
Wenatchee, WA | Organizer: Washington Cattlemen's Association Official event details - Kittitas Beef Pre-Show, Weigh-In and Judging Contest
Spring day where 4-H, FFA and Grange members weigh and tag fair steers (1,150 lb minimum), compete in a beef judging contest and show heifers. Most recent date: March 21, 2026.
Ellensburg, WA | Organizer: Kittitas County 4-H Official event details - Washington State Spring Fair
Held each year in Puyallup over two spring weekends; the most recent dates were April 9-12 and April 16-19, 2026.
Puyallup, WA Official event details - Whatcom County Youth Fair
Held each year in Lynden on the Northwest Washington Fair grounds; the most recent dates were April 10-11, 2026.
Lynden, WA Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.