What the Sauk County Fair Is
The Sauk County Fair in Baraboo is run by the Sauk County Agricultural Society and centers on a Junior Fair where local youth show animals and enter projects in more than 30 departments. The 2026 fair week began with pre-fair judging on Monday, July 6 and ran through release of exhibits on Sunday, July 12. Its biggest youth event is the Live Market Animal Sale on Saturday afternoon. The fair association is already counting down to the 2027 edition.
Who Can Exhibit
- Grades 3 through 13 (one year past high school) as of the exhibit year. Grades K through 2 may only exhibit in the Exploring department.
- Exhibitors must be in good standing with a Sauk County youth group that has adult leadership, such as 4-H, FFA, Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Club or an approved church youth group.
- 4-H and after-school club members may only exhibit in projects they enrolled in. Animal projects were due December 1 and non-animal projects February 1.
- Foreign exchange students may show non-animal projects for a ribbon, but no premium is paid.
Departments
Livestock departments cover dairy cattle, beef, swine, sheep, goats, horse, poultry, rabbits, dogs, exotics and cats. Other departments include animal science, plant and soil, flowers and house plants, natural sciences, cultural arts, photography, computers, woodworking, electricity, mechanical sciences, foods, clothing, knitting and crocheting, home environment, child development, communications, youth leadership, health sciences and school entries.
Entry Deadlines and Fees
- Online entries opened April 10, 2026 and closed at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 11. No late entries are accepted.
- Exhibitor entry fee: $5 per exhibitor, paid by credit or debit card.
- Stall and waste fees: $15 for dairy, beef and horse; $7.50 for swine, sheep, goats and exotics; $1.50 per bird or rabbit.
- Season parking pass bought at entry: $15 per vehicle (limit 3 per family). At the fair it is $30 per vehicle or $6 per day.
- Entry and stall fees are not refundable.
- YQCA certification is required for all livestock species and must be uploaded at registration. Premise ID and animal ID are required online, and animals without IDs are sent home. Sheep, swine and market animals had to be tagged by May 17.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Monday, July 6 Pre-fair judging of non-animal projects, 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Commercial Building. Cat show at 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 7 Dog show, 5 p.m. in Progress Hall.
- Wednesday, July 8 Animal check-in 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Weigh-ins for sheep (8 to 9 a.m.), swine (9 to 11 a.m.), goats (1 to 2 p.m.) and beef (1 to 3 p.m.). Exhibitor meeting at 3:30 p.m. Sheep show at 5 p.m.
- Thursday, July 9 Swine 8 a.m., beef 9:30 a.m., poultry noon, goats 5 p.m., 4-H Art Showcase 6 p.m.
- Friday, July 10 Dairy show 8 a.m., exotics 5 p.m., then a costume contest.
- Saturday, July 11 Sale participant meeting 9:30 a.m. Live Market Animal Sale at 1 p.m. in Progress Hall.
- Sunday, July 12 Horse fun show and master showman 10 a.m. Exhibits released at 4 p.m.
Live Market Animal Sale
Market beef, swine, sheep, goats, poultry and rabbits are eligible, and youth must show in showmanship in the species they sell. Judges pick the sale animals at each show, up to 35 steers, 35 hogs, 30 sheep, 12 goat lots, 12 poultry lots and 6 rabbit lots. Each youth sells one lot. Market weights are 1,025 to 1,375 lbs for beef (dairy steers to 1,500), 235 to 285 lbs for hogs and 100 to 150 lbs for lambs. A 5 percent commission is taken from the bid price, 3 percent to the fair and 2 percent to the Meat Animal Sale Committee. Buyers can buy outright or on buyer-support. Each youth must turn in a handwritten, stamped thank-you note by 3 p.m. Sunday or no check is issued.
Premiums
Examples of 1st to 4th place premiums are $8, $7, $6 and $5 for beef market classes, $6 down to $3 for swine, and $5 down to $2 for sheep and market goats. Most showmanship classes pay $3, $2.50, $2 and $1.50.
Where and Who to Call
Sauk County Fairgrounds, Baraboo, Wisconsin. Fair office: 608-356-8707.
Questions
Can I take my animals home early?
Not before 4 p.m. Sunday. Early removal forfeits premiums, brings a $50 fine and probation. Animals sold at auction can load out at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Can a first grader exhibit?
Only in the Exploring department.
Can I sell an animal that sold at another show?
No. Animals sold at a previous livestock show or fair cannot sell here.
Official Links
- 2026 Junior Fairbook: rules, fees, departments and schedule
- Live Market Animal Sale rules: sale eligibility, weights and commission
- Sauk County Fair: fair association website
Wisconsin County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Wisconsin had 73 state-aided county and district fairs in 2025, with about 2 million visitors and 43,465 exhibitors, about 72 percent of exhibits from juniors.
Rules differ by county
Each county publishes its own fair book. In Clark County, for example, exhibitors must be 8 to 19, own and show their own animal, and follow species tagging, drug history and weight rules to sell.
Common requirements
Expect premise ID, ear tags or DNA ID, YQCA certification, health papers and early registration, per the Sauk County rules.
Sale day
Selling is its own set of rules. In Clark County you may weigh in several species but sell only one animal, complete three educational points, and sell your own animal in your assigned slot. Check your county's sale rules before you buy a project animal.
Next steps
Get your county's current fair book and mark the spring deadlines now. Dates and rules change each year.
Read the full guide: Wisconsin County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting and YFA Conference
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau annual meeting, where county delegates vote on policy, combined with the Young Farmer and Agriculturist Conference. Next edition December 4-7, 2026 at Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells.
- Wisconsin Corn-Soy Expo
Two-day winter trade show for corn, soybean and pork producers with over 150 booths and an education program. Next edition January 21-22, 2027 in Wisconsin Dells; the 2026 show ran January 29-30.
- Sauk County Fair Meat Animal Sale
Saturday of fair week at 1:00 PM youth sell beef, swine, sheep, goat, poultry and rabbit market lots in Progress Hall; Grand and Reserve Grand Champions must sell, and a 5 percent commission funds the fair and sale committee.
Baraboo, WI | 608-356-8707 Official event details - Wisconsin Farmers Union Annual State Convention
The Wisconsin Farmers Union state convention, with policy sessions and a Friday evening Farmers Union Camp fundraiser. Next edition December 11-13, 2026 in Appleton; the 95th convention was held December 12-14, 2025.
- Northern Wisconsin State Fair Meat Animal Program Beef Weigh-In
Initial beef weigh-in for youth in the fair's Meat Animal Program, held in Eau Claire.
Eau Claire, WI | Organizer: Northern Wisconsin State Fair Association Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.