What the Johnson County Fair and Rodeo Is
The Johnson County Fair and Rodeo, tagged "The best week of the summer," is where Johnson County 4-H and FFA members show what they raised and made during the year. The 2026 fair ran July 24 to August 2 at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Buffalo. Static projects are judged first, animal shows fill the middle of the week, the Junior Livestock Sale comes next, and the fair rodeo closes it out.
The 2026 Show Schedule
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| July 24 | Fabric and Fashion judging; static exhibit interview judging |
| July 25 | Static judging; horse show setup |
| July 26 | Dog Show (4-H dogs start 8 a.m.), Horse Show, Cat Show, Pocket Pet Show |
| July 27 | Horse Show |
| July 28 | Sheep Show |
| July 29 | Swine, Goat and Rabbit Shows |
| July 30 | Beef and Poultry Shows |
| July 31 | Round Robin and YES Awards |
| August 1 | Junior Livestock Sale |
| August 2 | Exhibits released |
Who Can Enter and the Rules
Exhibitors must be Johnson County 4-H or FFA members. Members of other counties may compete only if enrolled in a Johnson County 4-H club or FFA chapter. Recent high school graduates may show and sell while under the national age limits (18 as of January 1 for 4-H, 21 for FFA).
- Showmanship is required for all livestock exhibitors, and a member who does not show in showmanship for a species cannot sell that species at the sale.
- Entry limits: no more than two animals per weight class, three market swine per showman and one poultry meat pen per showman.
- Weights at weigh-in are final. Sheep and goats must be dry, and lambs must be shorn once beforehand. A mandatory member and parent meeting follows weigh-in on the Monday of fair week.
- Market animals need a Wyoming State Fair tag, applied by an extension educator, FFA advisor or superintendent, with title or brand inspection at tagging. Sheep and market goats need scrapie tags, heifers must be Bangs vaccinated and rabbits must be tattooed.
- Beef must be in the barn by 8 a.m. and tied out by 8 p.m. Animals stay on the grounds until the end of fair or the sale.
- Showmanship attire is a clean collared shirt and neat clean pants, with no shorts or open-toed shoes. FFA members wear Official Dress.
- Market poultry chickens must be a commercial meat breed 8 to 10 weeks old at weigh-in, at least 5.5 pounds to sell. Rabbit meat pens are three rabbits of one breed, no older than 9 weeks, 3 to 5 pounds each.
These livestock rules come from the 2024 show rules; check with the Extension office for any changes in a new year.
Key Deadlines
- Online entries opened June 1 and closed Thursday, July 9, 2026, at johnsonwy.fairwire.com. Livestock is Department 16; static, dog and cat entries are Department 18.
- Members selling at the Junior Livestock Sale must enroll in both the Market Class and the Showmanship class.
- Buyer cards for livestock sellers were due at the Extension Office on July 22.
- Consignment forms are due within 60 minutes after each species show ends.
- Exhibitors going to the Wyoming State Fair (August 10 to 15, 2026) must tell the Extension office or FFA advisor before the county fair ends.
- Exhibitors must be off the grounds by 6 p.m. on the last Sunday, or lose awards and premiums.
Awards and the Sale
The sale runs novelty poultry and rabbits first, then grand and reserve champions, then beef, followed by sheep, swine and goats in alternating order each year. At the Round Robin each organization may win only once; both organization champions receive a buckle and a scholarship is divided equally between 4-H and FFA. An optional Ultrasound Contest is entered through the fair system, and ANB sponsors the first animal.
Where
Johnson County Fairgrounds, 18 Fairgrounds Road, Buffalo, WY 82834. The Extension office is at 30 Fairgrounds Road.
Questions
Do I have to show to sell?
Yes. Showmanship in the species is required to sell it.
Can I share an animal?
No. Each member must own their showmanship animal, and sharing leads to disqualification for both.
What if I leave early?
Early release needs a veterinarian's written release or committee or superintendent permission.
Who do I call?
The Johnson County Extension Office at (307) 684-7522. The Fair Board office is at 307-684-7357 for fee questions.
Official Links
- Johnson County Fair and Rodeo 2026
- July-August 2026 Clover Chatter: schedule and deadlines
- Johnson County Fair show rules
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
- Largent and Sons Desert Mart Value World Sale
Fall cattle sale hosted on the Largent and Sons ranch near Kaycee in Johnson County.
Kaycee, WY Official event details - Rafter T Angus Annual Bull Sale
Angus bull sale at Buffalo Livestock Marketing in January 2027.
Buffalo, WY Official event details - Redland Angus Range Calved-Range Raised Production Sale
Production sale of range-raised Angus cattle at Buffalo Livestock Marketing.
Buffalo, WY Official event details - Little Goose Ranch Annual Production Sale
The 10th annual production sale of Little Goose Ranch at Buffalo Livestock Marketing.
Buffalo, WY Official event details - Powder River Angus Annual Production Sale
Annual Powder River Angus production sale at Buffalo Livestock Marketing.
Buffalo, WY Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.