What the Wyoming State Fair and Rodeo Is
The Wyoming State Fair is the state's showcase for agriculture, youth livestock and rodeo, held each August in Douglas. The 2026 fair was the 114th edition and ran five days, August 11 to 15, with grandstand rodeos each evening. One columnist called it "a county fair on steroids," and Gov. Mark Gordon described it as "a platform for education, relationship building and youth competition."
Grandstand Nights (2026)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, Aug. 11 | Wyoming Ranch Rodeo Finals, with top ranch teams from across the state; Cowboy Calcutta at 6:30 p.m., rodeo at 7 p.m. |
| Wednesday, Aug. 12 | Breakaway Roping, free with admission |
| Thursday, Aug. 13 | Legacy Night PRCA Rodeo, with mutton bustin' at 6 p.m. |
| Friday, Aug. 14 | Future Night PRCA Rodeo; Miss Rodeo Wyoming pre-show at 6:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, Aug. 15 | Demolition Derby, 6 p.m. |
Youth Livestock and 4-H
Youth showing of animals is a centerpiece of the fair, with exhibitors who raised, trained and cared for their animals daily. Young exhibitors qualify to compete at state fair through their county fairs; in 4-H dog competition, for example, members ages 8 to 18 must first qualify at their county fair. More than 120 kids and their dogs competed in the 2025 dog show, which is judged on conformation and obedience, with a separate showmanship class. Other 4-H shows that week include beef, swine and horse events.
Other Things to See
- Livestock shows, commercial exhibits and static exhibits.
- The Roundup Tent, roughly 24 booths on the story of Wyoming agriculture.
- The Knowledge Barn, with hands-on agricultural education.
- Live music from Wyoming singer-songwriters, a hypnotist, a magician, cowboy cornhole, mini golf and the historic Sheepwagon Show.
- The Wyoming Pioneer Association annual meeting, Thursday, Aug. 13, at 10 a.m.
- Carnival and classic fair food.
Admission Deals (2026)
- Tuesday, Exhibitor Appreciation Day: $1 off admission for guests wearing a cowboy hat.
- Wednesday, Youth Day: children under 12 free; carnival wristbands $30 presale.
- Wednesday, Wyoming Hunger Initiative Day: ages 13 and up get discounted admission for donating five canned goods.
- Thursday, Military Appreciation Day: free admission for active military with ID. Pioneer Day: ages 13 and up pay $5 with five canned goods.
- Friday, $5 Foodie Friday: guests arriving before 1 p.m. save on admission.
Where
Wyoming State Fair Park, 400 W. Center St., Douglas, WY 82633. Grandstand events are in the Ford Grandstand. Tickets, schedules and planning are at wystatefair.com; the fair office phone is 307-358-2398.
Questions
Can anyone enter livestock?
Youth exhibitors qualify through their county fair; ask the county Extension office about advancing.
Is there a cheaper way in?
Yes: Youth Day, Military Appreciation Day, the canned-goods days and Foodie Friday all cut admission.
Who do I call?
The Wyoming State Fair at 307-358-2398.
Official Links
- Wyoming State Fair 2026: dates, address and phone
- 2026 fair preview: grandstand nights and admission
- Here Comes the Wyoming State Fair
- 4-H dog show coverage
Wyoming County Fairs: The Essentials
Wyoming county fairs run mostly from late July into early August, and most 4-H and FFA divisions are run through the county UW Extension office. In 2026, Park County opened July 21-25, Albany County ran July 22 to August 1, Laramie County ran July 29 to August 8 and the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas ran August 11-15.
Examples
Teton County's 2026 entries were due July 1 at 11:59 pm with no late entries. Niobrara County's 4-H and FFA entries closed July 10. Sweetwater County charged a $25 late fee in 2024. Teton counts interview judging as 40 percent of the exhibit score.
Livestock
Ownership deadlines of February 1 for market beef and June 1 for many other species are common. Laramie County requires YQCA for livestock projects, and Teton requires tagging photos. Tags, weigh-in, minimum weights and sale rules differ by county, so read your fair book early.
Sale and premiums
Teton members may sell one animal per species and no more than two in total, and a white ribbon cannot sell. Niobrara charges 3 percent commission and requires a thank-you note delivered to the Extension office before payment.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Lisco and M Diamond Angus Bull Sale
The 35th Lisco and M Diamond Angus bull sale at M Diamond Ranch in Glenrock.
Glenrock, WY Official event details - Converse County Fair
Nine-day county fair staged at Wyoming State Fair Park in Douglas, in July ahead of the state fair.
400 West Center Street, Douglas, WY 82633 Official event details - Wyoming State Ram Sale
Annual Wyoming Wool Growers ram sale at the state fairgrounds in Douglas. The most recent sale was Sept. 15, 2026.
Douglas, WY Official event details - Hummel Cattle Company Annual Bull and Commercial Bred Heifer Sale
Fall bull and commercial bred heifer sale held at the Snowy Range Equestrian Center in Laramie.
Laramie, WY Official event details - Wyoming Women in Ag Symposium
The 33rd annual Wyoming Women in Ag Symposium brings women producers and ag professionals together in Casper for a day of speakers and networking. Held each year in November; the most recent date was November 12, 2026.
Casper, WY Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.