What the Weston County Fair Is
The Weston County Fair in Newcastle ran July 24 to August 2 in 2026. It is built around 4-H and FFA youth: static exhibits such as sewing, food and photography, species shows for beef, sheep, goats, swine, rabbits, poultry and horses, a dog show and pet show, a fashion revue, a parade, and the Junior Livestock Sale that closes out the livestock week.
Who Can Enter and What to Do First
- Fair entries for 2026 were taken on FairEntry.com and were due July 3, along with Horse Safety Certification. Dog, cat and horse ID forms are separate paperwork filed with the Extension office, and horses also need the safety certification.
- Every static exhibit needs a skill statement attached.
- Livestock exhibitors attend a mandatory Livestock Exhibitor Meeting at 1 p.m. on the Wednesday of fair week in the show ring.
How the Fair Week Works: The Timeline
| Date (2026) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Mon, July 20 | Fabric and Fashion judging, 10 a.m., Senior Center; Carcass Contest, 6 p.m. |
| Wed, July 22 | Fair set-up night, 6 p.m., pizza afterward |
| Sat, July 25 | Parade line-up 9 a.m., parade 10 a.m. |
| Mon, July 27 | Horse show 8 a.m.; static exhibit check-in 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; public fashion revue 7 p.m. |
| Tue, July 28 | Dog show 8 a.m.; static exhibit interview judging 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; rabbit and poultry check-in 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. |
| Wed, July 29 | Sheep, goat and swine weigh-in 7 to 8 a.m.; beef weigh-in 8 to 9 a.m.; rabbit show 9 a.m.; exhibitor meeting 1 p.m.; swine show 7 p.m. |
| Thu, July 30 | Poultry show 9 a.m.; robotics showcase 5 p.m.; sheep and goat show 6 p.m. |
| Fri, July 31 | Beef show 8 a.m.; pet show 11 a.m.; Round Robin contest 1 p.m.; Junior Livestock BBQ 4:30 p.m.; Junior Livestock Sale 6 p.m. |
| Sat, Aug 1 | Static exhibits released, 9 to 11 a.m. |
Junior Livestock Sale: Weights and Paperwork
Minimum market weights are 1,100 lbs for steers, 1,050 lbs for heifers, 90 lbs for lambs, 200 lbs for swine and 50 lbs for goats. Exhibitors write a thank-you note, addressed and stamped, for every buyer or add-on donor; the notes are due at the Extension office before sale checks go out. Exhibitor bios are due by noon on the Friday of fair. In 2026, sale checks were mailed September 1 once the notes were in.
What You Get
Sale animals bring the market price from buyers, plus any add-on gifts, paid by check after the thank-you notes are turned in. Exhibitors also take part in the Round Robin contest on Friday afternoon, the Junior Livestock BBQ before the sale, and static exhibit interview judging earlier in the week.
Where
Weston County Fairgrounds, Newcastle, Wyoming. Fabric and fashion events are at the Senior Center. The Extension office is at 204 W Main Street, Newcastle, open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Questions
When do sale checks go out?
Checks mailed September 1, 2026, after each exhibitor's thank-you notes reached the Extension office.
What if my horse is not certified?
Horse ID and safety certifications were due July 3, and 4-H recommends having a backup certified horse.
Who do I call?
The UW Extension office in Newcastle, (307) 746-3531.
Official Links
- July 2026 Chatter: Weston County 4-H fair schedule
- Weston County 4-H fair information
- Weston County Fair website
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
- Weston County Beef Fitting Workshop
Hands-on workshop led by JJ Lipp teaching 4-H members how to fit beef animals before the show. Held each year; the most recent date was July 7, 2026.
Newcastle, WY | Organizer: Weston County 4-H Official event details - Weston County Carcass Contest and Showmanship Clinic
Pre-fair carcass contest paired with a showmanship clinic for Weston County 4-H livestock exhibitors. Held each year; the most recent date was July 20, 2026.
Newcastle, WY | Organizer: Weston County 4-H Official event details - Weston County Fair Horse Show
Opening day 4-H horse show of fair week, with awards presented the next evening. Held each year; the most recent date was July 27, 2026.
Newcastle, WY | Organizer: Weston County 4-H Official event details - Weston County Public Fashion Revue
Public evening show of garments sewn by Weston County 4-H members, judged earlier in July. Held each year; the most recent date was July 27, 2026.
Newcastle, WY | Organizer: Weston County 4-H Official event details - Weston County Fair Dog Show
4-H dog show with awards that evening; agility practice sessions run in the weeks before. Held each year; the most recent date was July 28, 2026.
Newcastle, WY | Organizer: Weston County 4-H Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.