How Alabama Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows Work
Alabama's youth livestock season runs from winter skillathons and spring jackpot shows through fall fairs, with the big stops at the Southeastern Livestock Exposition in Montgomery in March, the Alabama National Fair in Montgomery in October and the National Peanut Festival in Dothan in November. County and community shows are run locally, so ask your county Extension office, 4-H leader or FFA advisor for the schedule and rules of each one. The examples below come from published Alabama Farmers Federation, Auburn, Alabama Extension, state agriculture department and National Peanut Festival pages. Dates and rules change every year, so confirm with your show office and your agent or advisor before you load a trailer.
Winter and Spring Calendar
An Auburn article published November 24, 2025 lists 2026 youth livestock events led with Alabama Extension:
- 4-H State Livestock Skillathon: January 23
- 4-H State Livestock Quiz Bowl: January 24
- Agribition Multi-species Show, Central Alabama: February 6 and 7
- Youth Livestock Judging Contest at the Southeastern Livestock Expo: March 11
- Alabama Goat Showing Clinic: March 15
- Junior Livestock Expo at the Southeastern Livestock Exposition: March 16 to 18
The article says the events suit first-time and experienced exhibitors, recommends goats as a starting point because they cost less and are easier to show than cattle, and notes that many events are volunteer-led and welcome parents and siblings. The Alabama Farmers Federation reported that the 2026 Junior Livestock Expo was held March 16 to 18 in Montgomery, with beef and dairy shows in Garrett Coliseum and swine in Teague Arena. The Federation and Alfa Insurance coordinate it each year.
The Alabama National Fair
The Alabama National Fair in Montgomery is the main fall livestock stop. A December 2025 Federation article says the 2025 fair ran October 3 to 12, drew hundreds of youth showmen, and included beef cattle, dairy cattle, goats, sheep and swine, with contests sponsored by the Federation and Alfa Insurance. It says the 2026 fair will also feature a show with a bred heifer, but does not give 2026 dates, so check the fair office. A 2023 article on the 70th fair, held October 6 to 15, names Youth Dairy, Youth Sheep and Youth Swine shows, and says children can begin in the Youth Sheep Show at age 5.
The National Peanut Festival in Dothan
The festival's livestock exhibits page says competitions are held at the Alabama AG Credit Ag Complex, 5622 Highway 231 South, Dothan, with ShoWorks online registration open for 2026. The 2026 schedule includes:
- Junior Heifer and Feeder Steer "Blow and Go" Show: Saturday, November 7, with check-in Friday, November 6 from 3 to 6 p.m. and registration due October 18. The cattle page says it is open to 4-H, FFA and FCCLA members who have not graduated high school, and the entry is $10 per animal.
- Open Beef Cattle Show: Sunday, November 8, for registered beef cattle breeders, at $25 per animal.
- Lamb shows: Saturday, November 7, with registration due October 18. Per the lamb page, youth from preschool through 12th grade may enter, at $10 per lamb and $6 per pen.
- Dairy goat show: Monday, November 9, with registration due October 21.
- Market goat and wether dam doe show: Saturday, November 14, open to youth ages 4 through two years after high school, with registration due October 18, per the goat page.
- Rabbit show: Friday, November 13, 6 p.m., for exhibitors age 5 through 12th grade, at $8 per rabbit, with entries closing October 31.
Exhibitors receive a complimentary admission armband. The cattle page lists one-day admission at $9, a four-day pass at $25 and agricultural parking for one vehicle and trailer at $27, and no pen or stall fees for cattle.
Who Can Show
Most junior shows are for 4-H, FFA and similar youth members. According to the Alabama 4-H eligibility page, 4-H is open to ages 9 to 18 as of January 1 for the 2026-2027 club year, and Cloverbuds ages 5 to 8 cannot join animal programs. Individual shows set their own limits, as the Peanut Festival entries above show. Showmanship classes generally require the animal to be owned by the exhibitor, according to the cattle page, and lamb exhibitors must show their own animals without physical assistance.
Health Papers and Biosecurity
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries updated its livestock show guidance in March 2026. It says sick animals are not allowed on fairgrounds, influenza-susceptible species must be kept separate, and lactating dairy cattle must have a negative HPAI test within ten days before arrival or be enrolled in a voluntary herd monitoring program. Out-of-state dairy cattle need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. The department also asks exhibitors to clean trailers and equipment, avoid sharing equipment and keep hoses out of water buckets. The State Veterinarian's office can be reached at 334-240-7253.
Show rules add their own requirements. At the Peanut Festival, out-of-state cattle need a current health certificate, goats need a certificate issued within 30 days of the show, and market lambs need a veterinary health certificate with ear tag information matching it and scrapie identification. Market goats must keep their milk teeth and weigh at least 35 pounds, and wether dam does need a scrapie tag.
Show Day Tips
- Register online before the deadline, since late entries are not accepted at the Peanut Festival cattle shows.
- Do not unload a trailer until you have a barn assignment, then move it to the designated parking.
- Keep stalls clean, because prize money may be withheld for failing to do so.
- Leave the dog at home and plan not to sleep in the barn, since both are prohibited at several shows.
- Read the rulebook for weights, breed divisions and class sizes. A cattle breed needs at least two exhibitors and five registered animals to run as its own division at the Peanut Festival.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Alabama National Fair?
The 2025 fair ran October 3 to 12 in Montgomery. The Federation article gave no 2026 dates, so check the fair office.
How old do I have to be to show a lamb?
At the National Peanut Festival, preschool through 12th grade. The Alabama National Fair's Youth Sheep Show accepts children from age 5, per a 2023 article.
Do I need a vet certificate?
Many shows do. The Peanut Festival requires one for goats within 30 days and for market lambs, and for out-of-state cattle.
Where do I find my county fair book?
Ask your county Extension office, 4-H leader or FFA advisor.
Alabama Listings Covered by This Guide
- National Peanut Festival
Held each year in Dothan and tracked on the Alabama Farmers Federation calendar; the most recent dates were November 6 to 15, 2026.
- Alabama State Fair
Held each year at Birmingham Race Course; the most recent dates were April 17 to 19, 2026, the final weekend, with rides, wristbands and free parking.
Birmingham, AL Official event details - Blount County Fair
Held each year at the Blount County Multi-Purpose Center in Cleveland; the most recent dates were September 15 to 19, 2026, Tuesday through Saturday.
6700 Co Hwy 1, Cleveland, AL Official event details
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.