How Arizona County Fairs Work
Arizona's youth livestock and exhibit shows are organized locally, and most run through the county's University of Arizona Cooperative Extension office and its 4-H and FFA programs. Each county publishes its own premium book or exhibitor handbook, and rules on ownership dates, tagging, weights and sales differ. There is also a big calendar of regional shows, so the season runs from January roundups to an October state fair. The examples below come from published event pages and rule books. Always check your county's current book before you buy an animal.
Show Calendar Examples
- Colorado River 4-H Small Stock Show (Parker). January 17 and 18, 2026 at the CRIT Fairgrounds, 26600 Mohave Road, with check-in Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m., per the Extension event page.
- Arizona 4-H Stock Show and Roundup (Tucson). January 30 and 31, 2027 at the Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S Houghton Rd. Registration closes January 15, 2027, per the event page.
- Pinal County 4-H Fair. March 18 to 22, 2026 at the Pinal County Fairgrounds, with an exhibitor handbook and index card forms on the Extension page.
- Pima County Fair (Tucson). The 2027 market hog schedule on the Pima premium book lists check-in Monday, April 19, the market show Tuesday, April 20, the auction Saturday, April 24, and check-out Sunday, April 25 at 6 p.m.
- Yavapai County Fair (Prescott). September 10 to 13, 2026 at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. Flower and vegetable entries are dropped off Wednesday, September 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., per the Extension article.
- Cochise County Fair. September 23 to 27, 2026, with fair enrollment due September 1 for BeefBuilder participants, per the 2026 program sheet.
- Arizona State Fair (Phoenix). October 1 to November 1, 2026, with the Youth Livestock Show October 8 to 11 and the Sale of Champions on October 3 at 6 p.m., per the fair's livestock page.
We did not find a published 2026 date for every county. Ask your Extension office for your local schedule.
Who Can Show
Eligibility depends on the show. The Arizona State Fair says youth competitions are for ages 8 to 18 and welcome 4-H, FFA and other Arizona youth groups. At the Arizona 4-H Stock Show and Roundup, divisions are Junior (8 to 10), Intermediate (11 to 13) and Senior (14 to 18). 4-H members and FFA members register through separate links, and non-4-H members may enter for an extra $15 fee. Pima County divides ages as of the last day of the year: Junior is 8 but not 12, Intermediate 12 but not 15, and Senior 15 but not 19. The Navajo Nation Junior Livestock Show asks exhibitors to be 19 or under and in good standing with a 4-H club or FFA chapter, per its 2025 premium book. Cloverbuds, who are 5 to 7, take part in non-competitive activities through 4-H.
Entry Deadlines and Fees
- Roundup: $30 per livestock entry (market cattle, swine, lamb, goat, dairy), $10 per smallstock entry, and $5 for knowledge contests. Pens and tie-outs are $5 or you bring your own. Late entries are not accepted and fees are not refundable.
- Colorado River Small Stock: $5 per animal if registered before December 31, 2025, then $10; a $10 exhibitor fee applies.
- Navajo Nation (2025): online entries closed August 1 at 11:59 p.m. with a $50 late fee. Market beef and breeding cattle were $20 per head, and lambs, goats and swine $15.
- State Fair: entries are completed online through each department's rulebook, and an entry is not valid until fair staff approve it. The page did not list deadlines or fees; call 602-257-7130.
Ownership, Tagging and Identification
Pima County lists a general ownership deadline of January 31, 2027 for non-market livestock and January 17, 2027 for market and carcass hogs. Hogs are ear tagged on set dates at the fairgrounds; up to four may be tagged and two shown, and the tag costs a $10 project support fee. All animals must be ear-tagged, tattooed or microchipped, and a lost tag must be reported within 48 hours or the animal cannot show. The Navajo Nation show requires RFID tags on all livestock, plus a federal scrapie tag for sheep and goats, a bill of sale, and ownership periods of 200 days for beef and 180 days for swine and goats in 2025. At the Roundup goat show, an Arizona State Livestock Board Seasonal Pass Certificate in the member's name is required or the animal is disqualified. Small stock at the Colorado River show must be tattooed, tagged or banded.
Quality Assurance and Health
Pima County's rules require members showing beef, sheep, swine, goats, dairy cattle and rabbit or poultry meat pens to complete an Arizona Youth Livestock Quality Assurance program before tagging or ownership dates, with proof valid through the fair. Market exhibitors submit an animal care and management statement listing every product and its withdrawal date, and animals without complete records are sent home. Positive residue tests mean disqualification. The Navajo Nation show requires a veterinary health inspection, a hauling permit and an Arizona health inspection and entry permit number within 30 days of the show.
Weights
- Pima market hog: 225 lb minimum and 300 lb maximum at the fair, with payment based on a maximum sale weight of 280 lb.
- Pima carcass hog: 240 lb minimum and 310 lb maximum, with a 2 percent discount per 10 lb outside those limits.
- Roundup market goat: prospect class up to 59 lb and market class 60 lb and up.
- Navajo Nation (2025): market lamb 110 lb minimum (White Face 70 lb), swine 220 lb, goat 50 lb. The book lists beef at 1,100 lb in one section and 1,000 lb in another, so confirm with the coordinator.
Pima County also does not publish minimum weights for every species on its general page, so check the project page for lamb, beef and goat.
Show Day and Weigh-In
Pima market animals are weighed once on state-certified scales at the fairgrounds, and that weight is final. Animals must be unloaded at the designated area for immediate weighing. Beef and dairy cattle must wear a neck rope or chain by 8 p.m. on weigh-in day, and all goats wear a collar or chain. At the Roundup, exhibitors get a show number at the registration table before weigh-in, with no animals allowed at the table. Dress codes are common: 4-H exhibitors wear a white or green long-sleeve button-down shirt, long pants, a belt and closed-toe shoes. FFA official dress is encouraged. Daily chores are required and major pen cleaning should be done by 10 a.m. each day in Pima County.
The Junior Livestock Sale
Sales differ by fair. In Pima County, market animals must be sold through the Pima County Junior Livestock Sale and animals are not released before check-out on Sunday at 6 p.m. The Arizona State Fair holds its Sale of Champions, where youth sell champion animals, on October 3. At the Navajo Nation show in 2025, sold animals went directly to the processor, grand and reserve champions had to sell, and a 3 percent contingency deduction came off market sales. Ask your show how many animals may sell and whether you can pull one.
Camping and Practical Tips
- Read the premium book for your show before you pay for a pig or lamb.
- Complete quality assurance training early and keep the certificate.
- The Roundup's RV parking is arranged through the Pima County fair office at 520-762-8579: dry camping is $30 a night and full hookup is $45.
- Bring your own water and feed cups, since Pima rules require exhibitors to supply them.
- Keep records of every medication and withdrawal date.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are Arizona county fairs held?
Dates vary widely, from January and March shows to the Yavapai and Cochise fairs in September. Ask your county Extension office.
Do I have to be in 4-H or FFA?
Most county fairs expect it. The Roundup allows non-4-H entries with a $15 extra fee, and the State Fair welcomes other Arizona youth groups.
What is a seasonal pass?
The Roundup requires a current Arizona State Livestock Board Seasonal Pass Certificate in the member's name for goat entries.
Can I sell my market animal?
At most fairs, yes, if it meets weight and eligibility rules. Underweight animals may show but not sell at the Navajo Nation show.
Arizona Listings Covered by This Guide
- Maricopa County Fair
Maricopa County's fair is set for April 2-11, 2027 at the Phoenix fairgrounds, open Thursday through Sunday with 4-H and FFA livestock, exhibits and rides.
- La Paz County Fair
Annual county fair in Parker, usually in March; the 2026 edition was scheduled for March 12-14 along the Colorado River.
Parker, AZ | Organizer: La Paz County Fair Official event details - Pinal County Fair
Five-day county fair at the Pinal County Fairgrounds in Casa Grande; the most recent edition ran March 18-22, 2026, and the fair is held every year.
- Pinal County 4-H Fair
Five-day 4-H fair at the Pinal County Fairgrounds, with an exhibitor handbook, club booths and project exhibits. The 2026 fair ran March 18-22.
11 Mile Corner, Casa Grande, AZ | 520-340-4815 | Organizer: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension - Pinal County Official event details - Yuma County Fair
The 74th Yuma County Fair filled the Yuma County Fairgrounds from March 31 to April 5, 2026; the fair returns every spring.
2520 E. 32nd St., Yuma, AZ 85365 | +1 (928) 726-4420 | Organizer: Yuma County Fair Official event details - Pima County Fair
The 2026 Pima County Fair ran April 16-26 in Tucson with swine, lamb, goat, beef and dairy shows, livestock judging, round robins and large and small stock auctions.
- Apache County Fair
Late-August fair running since 1942, held August 26-29 in 2026. 4-H and FFA livestock exhibits, a carnival, a ranch rodeo and barrel racing, a green chili cook-off and a free-admission tradition.
825 West 4th North, St. Johns, AZ 85936 | (928) 551-4037 | Organizer: Apache County Fair Official event details - Yavapai County Fair
Yavapai County Fair at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds, September 10-13, 2026, with separate adult and youth exhibit divisions including floriculture and horticulture. Fair roots go back to 1913.
- Navajo Nation Fair
Annual seven-day fair at the Navajo Nation Fairgrounds in Window Rock with livestock shows, horticulture exhibits, an all-Indian rodeo, parade, pow wow and Miss Navajo Nation pageant. 2026 was the 78th edition.
Window Rock, AZ | (928) 871-6531 | Organizer: Navajo Nation Fair Office Official event details - Mohave County Fair
Four-day county fair in Kingman, September 17-20, 2026, with a carnival, daily live music, expo halls and the MCYLA youth livestock auction on Saturday night.
- Greenlee County Fair
Greenlee County's fair takes place each year at the county fairgrounds in Duncan; the most recent dates were September 17-20, 2026.
- Greenlee County Fair Heifer, Steer and Swine Judging
Opening-day beef and swine judging at the Greenlee County Fair in Duncan, with heifer and steer classes at 5:30 pm and swine at 7 pm on September 17, 2026.
1248 Fairgrounds Rd, Duncan, AZ 85534 | 928-359-2032 | Organizer: Greenlee County Fair Official event details - Greenlee County Fair Goat and Lamb Judging
Morning goat and lamb judging for junior exhibitors on the second day of the Greenlee County Fair, September 18, 2026, followed by the Round Robin showmanship contest.
1248 Fairgrounds Rd, Duncan, AZ 85534 | 928-359-2032 | Organizer: Greenlee County Fair Official event details - Greenlee County Fair Poultry and Small Stock Judging
Poultry and small stock judging at 8 am with showmanship at 12:30 pm during the Greenlee County Fair in Duncan, September 18, 2026.
1248 Fairgrounds Rd, Duncan, AZ 85534 | 928-359-2032 | Organizer: Greenlee County Fair Official event details - MCYLA Livestock Auction at the Mohave County Fair
Saturday-night junior livestock auction during the Mohave County Fair, run by the Mohave County Youth Livestock Association, where youth exhibitors sell their market animals.
2600 Fairgrounds Blvd, Kingman, AZ 86401 | (928) 753-8620 | Organizer: Mohave County Youth Livestock Association Official event details - Cochise County Fair
Cochise County's annual fair is held at the county fairgrounds in Douglas; the 2026 dates were September 24-27, and the fair has run for over a century.
- Arizona State Fair
Arizona's state fair runs Thursdays through Sundays from October 1 to November 1 in 2026 on the Phoenix fairgrounds, with livestock, concerts, rides and exhibits.
- Graham County Fair
Graham County's annual fair in Safford ran October 8-12, 2026 at the county fairgrounds, a long-running community event with livestock exhibits and a rodeo tradition.
- Arizona State Fair Youth Livestock Show
Youth Week competition at the Arizona State Fair in Phoenix where young exhibitors compete for Grand Champion with pigs, goats, sheep and more. The most recent edition was held on October 8, 2026.
- Cochise County Fair Association
Nonprofit that stages the Cochise County Fair each September at the Douglas fairgrounds, a fair that draws more than 50,000 visitors a year.
3677 N Leslie Canyon Road, Douglas, AZ 85607 | 520-364-3819 Website - La Paz County Fair Association
Organizers of the annual March La Paz County Fair in Parker, which reports more than 20,000 attendees and an agriculture and livestock focus.
Parker, AZ - Navajo Nation Fair Office
Office that runs the annual Navajo Nation Fair in Window Rock, including the 4-H livestock show, horticulture exhibits and All-Indian and junior rodeos; works under the Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources.
Window Rock, AZ | (928) 810-5799 - Santa Cruz County Fair and Rodeo Association
Nonprofit running the Sonoita Fairgrounds, home to horse races, a quarter horse show, the Labor Day rodeo and the county fair; grounds include a 2,200-seat grandstand and 180 stalls.
3142 W. Highway 83, Sonoita, AZ 85637 | 520-455-5553
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.