The Big Three for Kansas Junior Exhibitors
Kansas has three marquee junior livestock stages, and all of them sit on the same ground in Hutchinson: the Kansas State Fair, the Kansas Junior Livestock Show (KJLS) and the Kansas Beef Expo. The Kansas State Fairgrounds are at 2000 N. Poplar, Hutchinson. Rodeo fans have a different circuit across the summer and fall, covered at the end. The dates below are from the 2026 season. Confirm next year's schedule before you plan.
Kansas State Fair
The 2026 Kansas State Fair ran September 11-20 at the fairgrounds. It is billed as the world's largest gathering of Kansans and draws over 300,000 visitors a year.
4-H and FFA Grand Drive
The junior livestock show at the fair is the Grand Drive. According to the Kansas State Fair competitions page, goat, beef, sheep and swine shows each have a handbook. The 2026 regular entry deadline was midnight on July 15, with late entries accepted until noon on July 25, and entries are made through the fair's online portal.
The State 4-H Fair book (2024 edition) adds the eligibility rules:
- Age. Members must be 9 before January 1 of the current year and not past their 19th birthday before January 1.
- Nominated and experienced. Market livestock, breeding does and commercial breeding animals must be nominated, and the member must have shown the same species and project type at a county fair or spring show.
- Owner and feeder. The exhibitor must own and feed the animal. Leaving it mainly in the care of professional feeders or groomers leads to disqualification.
- YQCA. The book says all exhibitors must have YQCA certification.
- Showmanship is "blow and go." Adhesives, paints, powders and color-altering sprays are not allowed in showmanship, though breeding and market shows may use adhesives, paints and powders.
The fair also hosts open class livestock shows (entry deadline August 15) and dairy cattle, dairy goat, poultry and rabbit departments. In the 4-H book, dairy cattle and dairy goat entries are due August 15, dairy goats are does only, and rabbits must have earned a blue or purple at a designated qualifying show. For fun, the fair's Legislative Showmanship contest on September 12, 2026, put five lawmakers in the Prairie Pavilion with halter-broken heifers, as High Plains Public Radio reported.
Kansas Junior Livestock Show (KJLS)
KJLS was held October 2-4, 2026, at the Kansas State Fairgrounds, and the Kansas FFA page describes it as a showcase for 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors from across the state. The Great Bend Tribune marked 2026 as the show's 85th year, reporting 812 youth from 95 counties who entered 2,033 animals, with champions awarded in cattle, hogs, sheep and goats.
- Entries. The Kansas Livestock Association said entries are online at kjls.net by midnight August 15, with late entries accepted through August 31 at double the cost.
- Nomination comes first. K-State's 4-H tip sheet explains that nomination only makes an animal eligible, and exhibitors then enter each animal through ShoWorks. Showmanship is entered at the same time as the show.
- Nomination deadlines. Market beef is due May 1, and commercial heifers, swine, sheep and meat goats are due June 15, according to the Douglas County Extension page.
- Payouts. Cash awards go to the top five in market and breeding shows, from $4,000 to $500 for steers and $2,000 to $300 for market lambs, per the Tribune.
- LEAD Challenge. This is a four-part contest with Listen and Learn sessions, showmanship, skill stations and a career development activity.
- Scholarships. Applications were due August 15, and the Tribune says the program has awarded $411,000 to 306 exhibitors since 1993.
The Kansas Livestock Foundation also held a Club Calf Sale on October 3, 2026, alongside KJLS, with proceeds funding Youth in Agriculture scholarships.
Kansas Beef Expo
The 2026 Kansas Beef Expo runs December 9-13 at the Expo Center on the fairgrounds, and is described as a premier youth livestock show in the Midwest. The listing includes the Junior Breeding Show, Junior Market Show, the Snow Angles Elite Female Sale, the Christmas in the Country Trade Show and a judging contest. The contact listed is Quint Huncovsky at 785.259.4122.
Other State Shows to Know
K-State's Youth Livestock Program lists producer days for beef, sheep, swine and meat goats, the KASLA program in June, the Dr. Bob Hines Kansas Swine Classic in July and the State 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes in August. Dates move each year, so use the program page for the current calendar.
Kansas Rodeos
Kansas rodeo season runs on its own calendar. These are the events we could confirm from published listings.
- Pretty Prairie Rodeo. Billed as Kansas' largest night rodeo, it ran July 15-18, 2026, with nightly Mutton Bustin' at $10 a ride and free admission for children 12 and under on Wednesday and Thursday family nights. A separate Kansas Pro Rodeo listing also places a four-day July event in Pretty Prairie and warns that its dates are estimates.
- Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo. The 80th edition in Abilene ran July 28-31, 2026, with PRCA-sanctioned bronc riding, barrel racing, bull riding and breakaway roping. Advance tickets were $12 and youth ages 4-10 were $8.
- KPRA Finals. The Dodge City Roundup listing shows the Kansas Professional Rodeo Association Finals on September 25-27, 2026, at the Roundup Rodeo Grounds. The page address says 2025, so confirm the year.
- Kansas Biggest Rodeo. The Phillipsburg schedule lists performances August 5-7, 2027, with Mutton Bustin' each night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to nominate my animal for KJLS or the State Fair?
Yes for market animals and commercial breeding females. K-State's tip sheet says all market animals and commercial breeding females must be nominated to be eligible for the Grand Drive or KJLS.
Are all of these shows in Hutchinson?
The State Fair, KJLS and Beef Expo are all at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. The rodeos listed above are in Pretty Prairie, Abilene, Dodge City and Phillipsburg.
What if I miss the entry deadline?
KJLS accepts late entries through August 31 at double the fee. The State Fair Grand Drive accepted late entries until noon on July 25 in 2026. Nomination deadlines are firm, with no exceptions, according to K-State.
Kansas Listings Covered by This Guide
- Kansas Biggest Rodeo
Three-day rodeo at the rodeo grounds in Phillipsburg, Phillips County, with events starting two days earlier. The schedule published for the next edition gives August 5-7, 2027.
- Kansas High School and Junior High Rodeo
Held each year; the most recent dates were April 25-26, 2026. Rodeo for Kansas students in grades 9-12 and 5-8; team membership is not required and tickets are sold at the gate.
Dodge City, KS | Organizer: Kansas High School Rodeo Association Official event details - Abbyville Frontier Days PRCA Rodeo and BBQ
PRCA rodeo with a barbecue at the Abbyville Rodeo Grounds in Reno County. Held each year; the most recent performances were May 15 and 16, 2026, both starting at 8 PM.
- Flint Hills Rodeo
Flint Hills PRCA rodeo at Strong City in Chase County, traditionally held on the first weekend of June. Held each year; the most recent dates were May 29-31, 2026.
- Pretty Prairie Kansas Largest Night Rodeo
Night rodeo held each July in Pretty Prairie, Reno County. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 17-20, 2026.
- Russell County Free Fair Ranch Rodeo
Four-member local ranch teams compete in double mugging, branding and trailer loading on July 23, 2026, at the Russell County Free Fair, with a calf scramble for kids and free admission.
702 Fairway Drive, Russell, KS 67665 Official event details - Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo
Eightieth edition of the PRCA rodeo at Eisenhower Park Fairgrounds in Abilene, Dickinson County, part of the week of Central Kansas Free Fair activities. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 28-31, 2026.
- Dodge City Roundup PRCA Rodeo
PRCA rodeo held during Dodge City Days in Ford County. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 1-5, 2026.
- Kansas State Fair
Ten-day state fair at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Reno County, with livestock shows, concerts and a demolition derby. Held each year; the most recent dates were September 11-20, 2026.
- Kansas Professional Rodeo Association Finals
Held each year; the most recent dates were September 25-27, 2026. Season-ending finals of the Kansas Professional Rodeo Association at the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo Grounds.
608 S 14th Ave, Dodge City, KS 67801 | Organizer: Kansas Professional Rodeo Association Official event details - Kansas Professional Rodeo Association
Rodeo association promoting family-friendly entertainment, community spirit and rodeo heritage under the motto setting the standard for rodeo. Its finals are held at Dodge City.
608 S 14th Ave, Dodge City, KS 67801 Website - Kansas State Fairgrounds
Operator of the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson. Its competitions cover beef breeds, a 4-H and FFA Grand Drive livestock show, equine classes and a You Be the Judge education program.
2000 N. Poplar, Hutchinson, KS 67502 | 620.669.3600 Website
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.