How Louisiana Parish Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows Work
In Louisiana the county fair is a parish fair, and for 4-H and FFA exhibitors the fair is only one stop on a longer circuit: a parish show or fair, a regional district show, and then the LSU AgCenter State Livestock Show. The State Fair of Louisiana in Shreveport sits alongside that path. This guide pulls together what Louisiana parishes and the LSU AgCenter have published for the 2025-2026 season, so parents and exhibitors know what to expect. Dates and rules change every year, so confirm with your parish 4-H or FFA office.
The Show Circuit in Order
- Parish level: a parish fair or a parish livestock show, run through the local LSU AgCenter office.
- District level: one of seven district shows.
- State level: the LSU AgCenter State Livestock Show at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.
The AgCenter's report on the 91st state show says exhibitors were Louisiana 4-H and FFA youth who advanced from parish and district competitions.
Parish Shows and Fairs, 2026 Examples
Parish calendars differ, so these are examples of what was posted, not a complete list.
- St. Landry Parish: 4-H/FFA Livestock Show, January 16 to 17, 2026, Ag Arena, Opelousas, per the parish livestock page. The 4-H office number listed there is 337-948-0561.
- Ascension Parish: livestock show January 16 to 17, 2026, at Lamar Dixon, with a Livestock Family Day on October 12 and fair entry for all species due December 1, per the Ascension dates page.
- East Feliciana Parish: parish show January 17, 2026, Clinton Arena, with tentative dates listed on the parish 4-H page.
- Lafourche Parish: junior livestock show at the Agriculture Building in Raceland. Animals checked in January 16, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. for weigh-in and health papers, and beef, dairy, sheep, goats and swine showed January 17 starting at 8:00 a.m., per the Lafourche newsletter. The parish rabbit show was January 17, and registration closed January 13.
- Webster Parish: the Webster Parish Fair is held the first week of October, per the Webster Parish Journal. Its 2026 dates, called tentative, were June 10 for market steers; July 10 for lambs, goats, commercial heifers, dairy cows and breeding beef; August 1 for rabbits and exhibition poultry; and August 10 for swine. The livestock agent's number was listed as 318-371-1371.
District Shows
The state show schedule page listed these 2026 district shows, noting all schedules are tentative:
- Acadiana: January 27 to 31, Blackham Coliseum, Lafayette
- Central: February 4 to 7, DeWitt Livestock Show Facility, Alexandria
- Northeast: January 28 to 31, Delhi
- Northwest: dates to be announced, State Fair Grounds, Shreveport
- South Central: January 28 to 31, Covington Fairgrounds
- Southeast: February 5 to 7, Covington Fairgrounds
- Southwest: January 27 to 31, Burton Coliseum, Lake Charles
The State Livestock Show
The 91st annual show ran February 14 to 21, 2026, at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. The AgCenter report counted 1,207 eligible exhibitors with 2,276 breeding animals, 956 market animals, 209 pens of broilers, 1,028 exhibition birds, 13 pens of meat rabbits and 545 exhibition rabbits. Livestock and poultry enter through the rear entrance on Ashland Road. The general rules and forms for all species are on the AgCenter's Premier Exhibitor site, and exhibitor entries are handled on FairEntry, per the livestock show office page.
The State Fair of Louisiana
The 120th State Fair of Louisiana runs October 29 to November 15, 2026, at the Louisiana State Fairgrounds in Shreveport, closed Mondays and Tuesdays, according to the Bossier Chamber announcement. The fair says it hosts the largest livestock show in Louisiana. Admission is free on weekdays until 3 p.m., and a clear bag policy is in effect.
Who Can Show
The St. Landry page quotes State Livestock Show Rule 8. Shows are open to Louisiana 4-H and FFA members whose animals meet quality standards and entry rules. Youth must be bona fide 4-H or FFA members by November 1 of the year possession and validation dates are enforced. 4-H members must be 9 before January 1 and not past their 20th birthday by that date. FFA members must be enrolled in a high school agricultural education program and not yet 21 on the date they must take possession of the animal. Members are expected to be the primary daily caretaker and the primary person fitting and showing the animal.
Possession and Validation Deadlines
Several parishes posted these 2025-2026 deadlines: August 15 for steers; November 10 for breeding cattle, dairy, exhibition poultry, sheep and goats, with market heifers, lambs and goats validated; November 17 for miniature cattle; and December 1 for swine, with rabbits listed by St. Landry on December 1. All animals must be listed in 4-H Online. Next season's dates are not yet posted in the sources used here, so ask your office.
Health Papers and Practical Tips
- The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has updated health requirements for in-state shows. Ask your agent for the current list.
- Lafourche required LDAF health papers for all rabbits, at $25 with a $50 late fee, and animals check in with papers and weigh-in the night before the show.
- Put the intent-to-show deadline on the calendar. Ascension used October 15 and East Feliciana listed October 1.
- Read the state show catalog. Exhibitors are responsible for all of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one statewide parish fair calendar?
The sources used here show parish dates posted separately by each parish office.
Where is the State Livestock Show held?
The Lamar Dixon Expo Center, Gonzales. The 2026 dates were February 14 to 21.
Can non-members show?
Per Rule 8, the shows are open to 4-H and FFA members.
Louisiana Listings Covered by This Guide
- State Fair of Louisiana
The 120th State Fair of Louisiana fills the Louisiana State Fairgrounds in Shreveport for eighteen days, with livestock shows, midway rides and food. The fair has run since 1906.
3701 Hudson Ave., Shreveport, LA 71109 | Organizer: State Fair of Louisiana Official event details - Allen Parish Fair
Four-day parish fair at the Allen Parish Fairgrounds on Tiger Lane in Oberlin, with general and agricultural exhibits. Held each year; the 2025 fair ran Nov. 12-15 and the 2026 fair is set for Nov. 11-14.
Tiger Lane, Oberlin, LA 70655 Official event details - Washington Parish Free Fair
Held each year in October at the Franklinton fairgrounds, with a livestock building, rodeo, parade, fair 5K, midway rides and a pioneer village; the posted dates are October 20-24, 2027.
- Washington Parish Livestock Show
Parish stop on the 4-H and FFA show circuit before the Southeast District and State shows; the most recent show was held January 24, 2026 at the Franklinton fairgrounds.
100 Main Street, Franklinton, LA 70438 | Organizer: LSU AgCenter 4-H Official event details - Acadiana District Livestock Show
District qualifying livestock show for Acadiana 4-H and FFA youth at the UL Blackham Coliseum Complex in Lafayette. Held each year; the most recent dates were January 27-31, 2026.
- South Central District Livestock Show
District livestock show in Covington for 4-H and FFA exhibitors from the south central parishes, a qualifier for the state show. Held each year; the most recent dates were January 27-31, 2026.
Covington, LA | Organizer: LSU AgCenter Official event details - Northeast Louisiana District Livestock Show
The 86th annual district show draws 4-H and FFA exhibitors from twelve northeast parishes to show cattle, swine, sheep, goats, rabbits and poultry. Held each year; the most recent dates were January 28-31, 2026.
- Lafayette Parish Livestock Show and Sale
Parish 4-H livestock show and sale at Blackham Coliseum, held each year in late January; the most recent dates were January 22-24, 2026, ahead of the Acadiana District show.
Lafayette, LA | Organizer: Lafayette Parish 4-H Official event details - Rapides Parish Livestock Show
Held each year in early February at the DeWitt Barn; the most recent dates were February 2-3, 2026. Rapides 4-H and FFA members show animals here before the district and state livestock shows.
Alexandria, LA | 318-767-3968 | Organizer: Rapides Parish 4-H Official event details - Southeast District Livestock Show
The 91st Southeast District Livestock Show gathers 4-H and FFA exhibitors from the Florida Parishes at the Covington fairgrounds, with a youth king and queen each earning a $500 scholarship; most recent dates were February 5-7, 2026.
1304 N. Columbia St, Covington, LA 70433 | Organizer: LSU AgCenter 4-H Official event details - Hessmer Spring Fair
Two-day spring fair beginning at 4 p.m. at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Hessmer. Held each year; the most recent dates were March 21-22, 2026.
3659 Main St, Hessmer, LA | Organizer: St. Alphonsus Catholic Church Official event details - The Great Louisiana Fair
Carnival-style fair at the Louisiana Downs fairgrounds with more than 30 rides, a petting zoo, a racing pig show and free parking. The 2026 run was May 29 to June 14. Held each year; these were the most recent dates.
8000 East Texas Street, Bossier City, LA 71111 | Organizer: Wade Shows Official event details - Cajun Heartland State Fair
Ten-day state fair at the Cajundome complex in Lafayette. Held each year in late May; the most recent dates were May 22-31, 2026.
444 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70506 Official event details - Tangipahoa Parish Fair
Amite hosts the parish fair each fall, with 4-H exhibits alongside midway attractions; the most recent dates were September 30 to October 4, 2026.
1301 NW Central Ave, Amite, LA 70422 Official event details - Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival and Fair
Fall festival honoring sugar cane in Iberia Parish, with parades, a fais do-do, a carnival street fair, royalty and live music; the 2026 edition runs September 24-27 in downtown New Iberia.
New Iberia, LA | Organizer: Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Official event details - Beauregard Parish Fair
The 98th Beauregard Parish Fair, themed 98 Years of Farm Living, Family and Fellowship, with free parking and military discounts. It ran Oct. 6-10, 2026 at the fairgrounds on West Drive in DeRidder.
506 West Dr, DeRidder, LA 70634 | Organizer: Beauregard Parish Fair Official event details - Jeff Davis Parish Fair
Fair, pageant and livestock show at the Jennings fairgrounds, with a talent show, petting farms, arts and craft contests, carnival rides and food booths. Held each year; most recent dates Oct. 6-10, 2026.
810 S Lake Arthur Ave., Jennings, LA 70546 Official event details - Webster Parish Fair
Minden's parish fair opens with a downtown parade on October 6 and runs four days with 4-H events, Senior Day, Kids Day, carnival rides and food vendors; admission was $3 at the most recent fair, held October 7-10, 2026.
800 Goodwill St, Minden, LA 71055 | 318-371-4235 | Organizer: Webster Parish Fair Committee Official event details - Greater Baton Rouge State Fair
Eleven-night fall fair at the Airline Highway Fairgrounds in Baton Rouge with midway rides, food and exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were October 22 to November 1, 2026.
- LRCA Finals Rodeo at the State Fair of Louisiana
Louisiana Rodeo Cowboys Association finals held over three days, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, 2026, as part of the State Fair of Louisiana at the Shreveport fairgrounds.
Shreveport, LA | Organizer: Louisiana Rodeo Cowboys Association Official event details
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.