How Idaho County Fairs and Junior Livestock Shows Work
Idaho's youth livestock season runs through county fairs and a few big regional fairs, each run locally with the University of Idaho Extension 4-H office and FFA chapters. Enrollment, weights, ownership dates and sale rules differ by fair, so the premium book for your fair always wins over a general guide. The examples below come from published fair, Extension and fair-association pages, and dates may change, so confirm with the organizer.
2026 Fair Dates
The Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs and fair pages listed these 2026 dates:
- Lincoln County, Shoshone: July 20 to 25
- Canyon County, Caldwell: July 23 to 26
- Custer County: July 27 to August 1 (schedule)
- Gem and Boise County, Emmett: July 30 to August 1
- Bannock County, Downey: August 3 to 8
- Payette County, New Plymouth: August 5 to 8
- Madison County, Rexburg: August 12 to 15
- Lemhi County, Salmon: August 21 to 29
- Western Idaho Fair, Boise: August 21 to 30
- North Idaho State Fair, Coeur d'Alene: August 21 to 30
- Twin Falls County, Filer: September 2 to 7
- Eastern Idaho State Fair, Blackfoot: September 4 to 12
- Nez Perce County, Lewiston: September 24 to 27
These come from RMAF listings and the Eastern Idaho State Fair listing. Other counties hold fairs too, so ask your Extension office for yours.
Who Can Show
Idaho 4-H age is figured on January 1, and members 8 to 18 can take part in competitions, per the statewide 4-H policies. Cloverbuds (5 to 7) can take part in lap-animal projects, are not judged, and may not show large animals. Members exhibit a project only in the county where they are enrolled, though regional or state fairs are also allowed. At the Western Idaho Fair, FFA members need one year of official FFA membership, and 4-H members from outside Ada or Canyon County cannot show or sell market animals, but may show breeding species. An animal cannot be shown in both 4-H and FFA.
Ownership and Tagging
- Statewide 4-H minimums: goat and lamb 70 days owned and 60 days fed, hog 100 and 80, beef 150 and 130. Breeding animals need 90 days of ownership including primary care.
- Western Idaho Fair: market beef must be weighed and tagged at least 150 days before the fair weigh date and recorded at the Extension office. Intact cattle need an official USDA metal tag or RFID tag. Breeding stock and market ewe lambs and does need a Federal Scrapie Program flock ID.
- Non-market animals need proof of ownership or an active lease submitted by May 15.
Entry Fees and Deadlines
For the Western Idaho Fair, per its junior livestock handbook:
- Entries are due July 31 before 4:30 p.m. at the Premium Office. Late entries are accepted August 3 to 7 with a $50 per-department late fee.
- There are no entrance or pen fees for 4-H and FFA entries in their own departments.
- Initial weigh-in costs $15 for beef and $5 each for swine, sheep and goats. A promotion fee of $29.50 per head applies to beef, swine, goats, lambs and rabbits.
- Ada County 4-H record books were due August 17 and 18, with a mandatory interview scheduled through ZSuite.
Custer County's check-in for 4-H and FFA livestock was Monday, July 27, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Weights and Weigh-In
- Beef: at least 1,100 lb to sell at the Western Idaho Fair.
- Lambs: at least 110 lb, slick shorn to 1/2 inch or less at final weigh-in.
- Swine: target 230 to 320 lb. Under 230 cannot sell, and over 320 sells only if a resale buyer is found.
- Meat goats: at least 65 lb, born after January 1, 2026, and males must be fully neutered.
The fair's 2026 weigh-in and check-in ran Thursday, August 20, with beef at 4 to 5 p.m., sheep and meat goats at 5:30 to 7 p.m., and swine at 7:30 to 9 p.m. Custer County weighed market beef Tuesday evening and sheep and hogs Wednesday morning, followed by ultrasound.
Health, Drugs and Records
Western Idaho requires vet checks or current health certificates, and animals with signs of disease cannot enter. Swine health certificates should be dated no earlier than 15 days before arrival. Off-label drug use leads to disqualification, and illegal drugs or artificial alteration can bring a lifetime bar and criminal prosecution. COOL forms are required for market sheep and goats, and animals without them cannot sell. Market animals must be included in rate-of-gain records to show or sell.
Show Day and the Sale
The Western Idaho Fair's 4-H and FFA market livestock sale is a terminal sale: all animals are harvested afterward and live pickup is not allowed. Champions sell first in their species, buyers pre-register for bidder numbers, and payment is due sale night. Youth may sell one market animal per year at one fair, Ada or Canyon, declared at initial weigh-in. In Custer County, the 4-H and FFA market animal sale was Saturday, August 1 at 2 p.m., with a Buyer Appreciation BBQ after. Recommended 4-H show attire is a white shirt and black pants, and FFA members wear a white collared shirt, black pants and the FFA jacket zipped to the top.
Practical Tips
- Enroll in 4-H or FFA first and ask your county office for the ownership and tagging dates before buying an animal.
- Read your fair's rule book. Rules about residency and one sale per year can catch families by surprise.
- Keep ownership papers, brand papers and health certificates handy.
- Put the entry deadline on the calendar when the premium book comes out.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Eastern Idaho State Fair?
The 2026 fair ran September 4 to 12 in Blackfoot. The state 4-H livestock judging contest is held there the Saturday after Labor Day.
How old do I need to be to show?
4-H members 8 to 18, as of January 1. Cloverbuds 5 to 7 are limited to lap animals.
Can I sell more than one animal at the Western Idaho Fair?
Youth may sell one market animal per year at one fair, Ada or Canyon.
Where do I find my county fair book?
Ask your University of Idaho Extension county office.
Idaho Listings Covered by This Guide
- Lincoln County Fair and Rodeo
Six-day fair and rodeo in Shoshone, the Lincoln County seat in the Magic Valley, combining livestock exhibits with rodeo performances. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 20-25, 2026.
200 South Beverly St, Shoshone, ID 83352 Official event details - Canyon County Fair
Four-day county fair in Caldwell serving one of Idaho's most productive farm counties west of Boise. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 23-26, 2026.
Caldwell, ID Official event details - Lincoln County Fair 4-H Round Robin and Livestock Sale
Final livestock showmanship and round-robin championship on July 24, 2026, with the junior sale the next day; a pig and a steer took grand champion.
200 South Beverly St, Shoshone, ID 83352 | Organizer: Lincoln County 4-H Official event details - Minidoka County Fair
Seventy-eighth Minidoka County Fair, a free-admission week in Rupert with rodeo events, lawnmower races and a cobbler and ice cream social.
85 E Baseline Rd, Rupert, ID 83350 | 208-436-9748 | Organizer: Minidoka County Fair Board Official event details - Custer County Fair
Six-day fair with 4-H and open class exhibit judging, a market hog and market beef show, tractor driving and pie contests, a ranch rodeo, and an animal sale. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 27 to August 1, 2026, with drop-off also in Challis.
Mackay, ID Official event details - Camas County Fair
Five-day family fair at the Camas County Fairgrounds in Fairfield, with kids activities and free admission and parking. Dates for 2026 were July 29 to August 2.
Spruce Ave W, Fairfield, ID 83327 | Organizer: Camas County Fair Board Official event details - Gem County Fair
Fair held at the Gem County Fairgrounds on South Johns Avenue in Emmett, July 30 to August 1 in 2026, with youth livestock projects and open exhibits in the Payette River valley.
2199 S. Johns Ave., Emmett, ID 83617 | 208-365-6828 Official event details - Caribou County Fair and Rodeo
Six-day fair and rodeo in Grace in the high-elevation farm country of southeast Idaho. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 3-8, 2026.
110 W 1st N, Grace, ID 83241 Official event details - Owyhee County Fair
Six-day county fair at the Owyhee County fairgrounds in Homedale on the Snake River, in a county known for large cattle ranches. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 3-8, 2026.
420 W Nevada Ave, Homedale, ID 83628 Official event details - Bannock County Fair and Rodeo
Bannock County hosts its fair and rodeo at the south-county fairgrounds in Downey, August 3 to 8 in 2026, a traditional small-town fair with livestock, exhibits and rodeo action.
- Blaine County Fair
Free-admission fair at the Carey fairgrounds, August 3 to 8 in 2026, billed as a showplace for agriculture and youth projects, with horse and livestock shows, rodeos, barbecues and a barn dance.
20509 Main Street, Carey, ID 83320 Official event details - Payette County Fair
Four-day Payette County Fair held in New Plymouth in the western Treasure Valley, a fruit and onion growing area. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 5-8, 2026.
310 E. Blvd., New Plymouth, ID 83655 Official event details - Custer County Fair 4-H and FFA Market Animal Sale
Saturday-afternoon market animal sale where buyers bid, join a buyer pool or boost a member project, followed by a Buyer Appreciation BBQ. Held each year; the most recent sale was August 1, 2026.
Mackay, ID | Organizer: University of Idaho Extension Custer County Official event details - Jerome County Fair and Rodeo
Six-day fair and rodeo in Jerome in the heart of the Magic Valley's dairy and irrigated crop country. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 10-15, 2026.
Jerome, ID Official event details - Bear Lake County Fair
Montpelier fair of August 10 to 15, 2026 featuring rodeo, carnival, concert, demolition derby, parade and exhibits, plus horse pulls and truck pulls at the Bear Lake County Fair Grounds.
21558 U.S. 30, Montpelier, ID 83254 Official event details - Franklin County Fair
Franklin County Fair in Preston, August 10 to 15 in 2026, follows the Preston Night Rodeo and gathers 4-H and FFA exhibitors, open-class entries and carnival-style events.
186 W 200 N, Preston, ID 83263 | 208-251-7465 Official event details - Madison County Fair
Four-day Madison County fair in Rexburg in the Upper Snake River Valley, with 4-H and open class livestock exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 12-15, 2026.
460 W 2nd N, Rexburg, ID 83440 Official event details - Lemhi County Fair Rabbit Show
Rabbit show held ahead of fair week at the Lemhi County Fairgrounds in Salmon for youth exhibitors. Held each year; the most recent date was August 12, 2026.
Fairgrounds Road, Salmon, ID 83467 Official event details - Lemhi County Fair Working Ranch Horse Show
Working ranch horse competition that opens the Lemhi County Fair schedule at the Lemhi County Fairgrounds in Salmon. Held each year; the most recent date was August 8, 2026.
Fairgrounds Road, Salmon, ID 83467 Official event details - Gooding County Fair
Six-day county fair at the Gooding County fairgrounds in the Magic Valley, a dairy and sheep producing county. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 17-22, 2026.
201 Lucy Lane, Gooding, ID Official event details - Bonner County Fair
Five-day county fair at the Bonner County fairgrounds north of Sandpoint on Boyer Road. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 18-22, 2026.
4203 N. Boyer Road, Sandpoint, ID Official event details - Lemhi County Fair
Nine-day fair in Salmon in the Lemhi and Salmon River valleys of east central Idaho, one of the longest runs among county fairs in the state. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 21-29, 2026.
Salmon, ID Official event details - North Idaho State Fair
Ten-day regional state fair in Coeur d'Alene at the Kootenai County fairgrounds, the main late-summer agricultural fair in the Idaho Panhandle. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 21-30, 2026.
- Western Idaho Fair
Ten-day fair at Expo Idaho on Glenwood Street in Boise, the largest annual fair in the Treasure Valley with 4-H and FFA livestock exhibits and a market sale. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 21-30, 2026.
- Twin Falls County Fair and Magic Valley Stampede PRCA Rodeo
Late-summer fair at the Twin Falls County fairgrounds in Filer paired with the Magic Valley Stampede PRCA rodeo. Held each year; the most recent dates were September 2-7, 2026, and the fair has run since 1916.
- Eastern Idaho State Fair
Nine-day state fair in Blackfoot, the 124th edition in 2026 under the theme Red, White and Blue Jeans, with grandstand shows, rodeo action, fair food and 4-H livestock exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were September 4-12, 2026.
- Western Truck and Tractor Pulls at the Eastern Idaho State Fair
Truck and tractor pull competition staged in Blackfoot as part of the Eastern Idaho State Fair grandstand lineup. Held each year; the most recent date was September 6, 2026.
Blackfoot, ID Official event details - Nez Perce County Fair
Four-day county fair in the Lewiston valley of north central Idaho, a fall fair that wraps up the Idaho fair season. Held each year; the most recent dates were September 24-27, 2026.
Lewiston, ID Official event details - Butte County Fair Board
Fair board for Butte County in Arco, mailing from PO Box 237; the volunteer board organizes the annual county fair and youth livestock exhibits in the Lost River valley.
PO Box 237, Arco, ID 83213 | 208-589-5161 - North Idaho State Fair
Coeur d'Alene fairgrounds that host the Youth Stock Show and Sale for cattle, swine, lambs, goats, poultry and rabbits, plus the Gem State Stampede PRCA rodeo.
4056 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815 | 208-765-4969 Website
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.