How Montana County Fairs Work
Montana fairs run from late June through early September, and most are tied to a county 4-H and FFA program run through the local MSU Extension office. A list of 4-H fair dates on the Extension summer 2026 fair dates page shows how the season spreads out. Choteau ran June 23-28, Columbus (Stillwater County) July 12-18, Bozeman July 10-19, Great Falls July 24 to August 1, Billings August 7-15, Glasgow August 4-8, Dillon September 2-6 and Hamilton (Ravalli County) September 2-5. The Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs listing for the Ravalli County Fair confirms the Hamilton dates, and other county fairs have similar listings. Dates shift year to year, so confirm yours with the fair office or Extension office.
Because the season is so long, many families attend several fairs. Eastern Montana fairs tend to land in August, while a few western fairs close out the season right after Labor Day, so check your date before you plan harvest or branding work around it.
4-H, FFA and Open Class
Most fairs combine several kinds of exhibits in one fair book.
- 4-H. Run by the Extension office. In Yellowstone County's 2025 guide, participating in fair was optional and not a 4-H requirement, and members could enter as few or as many projects as they liked.
- FFA. Some counties publish a joint 4-H and FFA book. Custer County's 2024 book opened classes 1-15 to 4-H and FFA and reserved classes 16-74 for 4-H only. Beaverhead County lets 4-H, FFA and FHA members enter Open Class.
- Open class. The Yellowstone guide notes there are no open divisions in 4-H. You enter 4-H exhibits in the 4-H department, or an open show in another department, usually for an additional fee. Beaverhead County does not allow 4-H projects to be entered in Open.
Static Exhibits and Interview Judging
Static exhibits are things you make, grow or document rather than animals: sewing, foods, photography, woodworking, welding, gardens, posters and the like. Many Montana counties judge them by interview, where a judge asks what you made and what you learned.
- Yellowstone County held interview judging on Monday, August 4, 2025, at the Montana Pavilion at MetraPark for its non-animal department. Each club was assigned a morning or afternoon session.
- Custer County's interview judging day in 2024 was Monday, August 19, and all livestock and horse entries had to complete a pre-fair interview.
- Beaverhead County's 2026 book asks for a 4-H dress code at interviews in most classes and lists exhibit limits, such as no more than four items per level in sewing and at least two items in foods.
In Yellowstone County, a judge who thinks an exhibit is the best for its project gives a Best of Class nomination, which lets the member sell the item. Cloverbuds there do not receive premium money but get a special ribbon.
Livestock Rules to Plan Ahead
Animal exhibitors need the longest lead time. Examples from recent Montana books:
- Quality assurance. The state 4-H animal science page says members and a parent or guardian in any animal project must certify through Animal Quality Assurance once as a junior and recertify once as a senior.
- Tagging and weigh-in. Beaverhead County requires market animals to be weighed and tagged at the advertised date and place. Flathead County lists 2024-25 weigh-in dates of December 7 for beef, April 30 for swine and May 19 for sheep in its market livestock requirements.
- Weights. Beaverhead's 2026 book lists minimum sale weights of 1,000 lb for beef, 215 lb for hogs, 100 lb for lambs and 50 lb for goats. Sanders County's 2024 livestock policy sets minimums of 1,100 lb for steers and 210 lb for hogs, so weights differ by county.
- Possession dates. Custer County listed January 1 for beef, April 1 for horses and June 1 for sheep, hogs, goats, breeding cattle and small animals.
Read the full Beaverhead County fair book for a detailed example.
Entry Deadlines
Each county sets its own deadline, and several use online entry.
- Yellowstone County, 2025. Entry forms were due June 27 at 5:00 pm. Entries received through July 4 carried a $50 late fee per exhibitor, and no entries were accepted afterward. Entries were made online at montanafair.com.
- Custer County, 2024. Entries were due July 26 at the Extension Office, with no late entries.
- Beaverhead County, 2026. All livestock and 4-H building entries were due through FairEntry by August 15, 2026.
Premiums, Ribbons and the Junior Livestock Sale
- Danish system. Custer County used blue, red and white ribbons, with each lot carrying a point value (market beef paid 10 points for blue and 7 for red) and premiums paid at 50 cents per point.
- Beaverhead County, 2026. Purple earned 8 points, blue 6, red 4 and white 2. Grand Champion breeding animals earned $50 and the live champion market beef, lamb and hog earned a buckle, banner and $75.
- Selling. At Custer, only blue and red market animals could sell and exhibitors could sell up to two animals of different species. At Beaverhead, exhibitors may sell one animal and grand and reserve champions must be sold.
- Commission. Beaverhead's sale charges a $20 flat fee plus 4 percent of the sale price, plus a $10 buyers barbeque fee.
Thank-you notes matter. Beaverhead issues no livestock check without one and requires award checks to be cashed by February 1.
Practical Tips
- Get your county's fair book as soon as it posts and highlight every date.
- Do not sign up for more than you can do. Yellowstone County warned that four scratches can cost premiums.
- Pre-buy discount tickets if your county offers them, as Yellowstone 4-H families did.
- Attend the post-fair meeting if you want to vote on rule changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to show at fair to be in 4-H?
Not in Yellowstone County. Its guide says fair is optional and you can enter as few or as many projects as you like.
Where do I find my county's fair book?
Many are posted on the county Extension page, and printed copies are available from the Extension office.
Can an adult enter?
Open class is for the public in some places, but rules vary. Check your fair book.
What happens if I miss the entry deadline?
It depends. Yellowstone charged a $50 late fee up to a final cutoff, while Custer accepted no late entries.
Montana Listings Covered by This Guide
- Teton County Fair
Teton County Fair in Choteau runs Jun 23-28, 2026, with exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jun 23-28, with 4-H and open class entries.
- Lincoln County Fair
Each year Eureka hosts its county fair, most recently Jun 24-28, 2026, in Lincoln County. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jun 24-28 with 4-H livestock and project showing.
Eureka, MT Official event details - Glacier County Fair
Each year Browning hosts its county fair, most recently Jul 7-10, 2026, in Glacier County. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 7-10 with 4-H livestock and project showing.
Browning, MT Official event details - Gallatin County Fair
Fair week in Bozeman (Jul 10-19, 2026) brings 4-H exhibits, junior livestock classes and community events to Gallatin County. Held each year; the most recent dates were these.
Bozeman, MT Official event details - Stillwater County Fair
Fair week in Columbus (Jul 12-18, 2026) brings 4-H exhibits, junior livestock classes and community events to Stillwater County. Held each year; the most recent dates were these.
Columbus, MT Official event details - Sheridan County Fair
The Sheridan County Fair in Plentywood, Sheridan County, took place Jul 16-18 in 2026 and returns annually. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 16-18; confirm 2027 dates with the fair office.
Plentywood, MT Official event details - Big Horn County Fair
Fair week in Hardin (Jul 18-26, 2026) brings 4-H exhibits, junior livestock classes and community events to Big Horn County. Held each year; the most recent dates were these.
Hardin, MT Official event details - Park County Fair
Park County Fair in Livingston runs Jul 18-26, 2026, with exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 18-26, with 4-H and open class entries.
Livingston, MT Official event details - Sweet Grass County Fair
The Sweet Grass County Fair in Big Timber, Sweet Grass County, took place Jul 20-24 in 2026 and returns annually. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 20-24; confirm 2027 dates with the fair office.
Big Timber, MT Official event details - Dawson County Fair
The Dawson County Fair in Glendive, Dawson County, took place Jul 20-25 in 2026 and returns annually. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 20-25; confirm 2027 dates with the fair office.
Glendive, MT Official event details - Carbon County Fair
Fair week in Red Lodge (Jul 20-25, 2026) brings 4-H exhibits, junior livestock classes and community events to Carbon County. Held each year; the most recent dates were these.
Red Lodge, MT Official event details - Lewis and Clark County Fair
The Lewis and Clark County Fair in Helena, Lewis and Clark County, took place Jul 21-25 in 2026 and returns annually. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 21-25; confirm 2027 dates with the fair office.
Helena, MT Official event details - Rosebud County Fair
Each year Forsyth hosts its county fair, most recently Jul 15-18, 2026, in Rosebud County. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 15-18 with 4-H livestock and project showing.
Forsyth, MT Official event details - Hill County Fair
Each year Havre hosts its county fair, most recently Jul 15-19, 2026, in Hill County. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 15-19 with 4-H livestock and project showing.
Havre, MT Official event details - Toole County Fair
Fair week in Shelby (Jul 15-19, 2026) brings 4-H exhibits, junior livestock classes and community events to Toole County. Held each year; the most recent dates were these.
Shelby, MT Official event details - Marias Fair
Four-county fair near Shelby joining Toole, Pondera, Glacier and Liberty 4-H members; the 2026 livestock sale sold 149 animals for about 746,000 dollars. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 15-19, 2026.
Shelby, MT Official event details - Powder River County Fair
Powder River County Fair in Broadus runs Jul 23-25, 2026, with exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 23-25, with 4-H and open class entries.
Broadus, MT Official event details - Judith Basin County Fair
Each year Stanford hosts its county fair, most recently Jul 27-Aug 1, 2026, in Judith Basin County. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 27-Aug 1 with 4-H livestock and project showing.
Stanford, MT Official event details - Meagher County Fair
Fair week in White Sulphur Springs (Jul 28-30, 2026) brings 4-H exhibits, junior livestock classes and community events to Meagher County. Held each year; the most recent dates were these.
White Sulphur Springs, MT Official event details - Wheatland County Fair
Wheatland County Fair in Harlowton runs Jul 29-31, 2026, with exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 29-31, with 4-H and open class entries.
Harlowton, MT Official event details - Central Montana Fair
Fair week in Lewistown (Jul 22-25, 2026) brings 4-H exhibits, junior livestock classes and community events to Fergus County. Held each year; the most recent dates were these.
Lewistown, MT Official event details - Daniels County Fair
The Daniels County Fair in Scobey, Daniels County, took place Jul 22-25 in 2026 and returns annually. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 22-25; confirm 2027 dates with the fair office.
Scobey, MT Official event details - Richland County Fair
Richland County Fair in Sidney runs Jul 29-Aug 1, 2026, with exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 29-Aug 1, with 4-H and open class entries.
Sidney, MT Official event details - Silver Bow County Fair
The Silver Bow County Fair in Butte, Silver Bow County, took place Jul 30-Aug 1 in 2026 and returns annually. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 30-Aug 1; confirm 2027 dates with the fair office.
Butte, MT Official event details - Phillips County Fair
Phillips County Fair in Dodson runs Jul 30-Aug 2, 2026, with exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 30-Aug 2, with 4-H and open class entries.
Dodson, MT Official event details - Mineral County Fair
The Mineral County Fair in Superior, Mineral County, took place Jul 30-Aug 1 in 2026 and returns annually. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 30-Aug 1; confirm 2027 dates with the fair office.
Superior, MT Official event details - Butte-Silver Bow County Fair
County fair where Silver Bow 4-H youth show animals that are sold at auction and display posters and finished projects for judging. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 30 to August 1, 2026.
Butte, MT | Organizer: Silver Bow County 4-H Official event details - Missoula County Fair
Each year Missoula hosts its county fair, most recently Jul 31-Aug 8, 2026, in Missoula County. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 31-Aug 8 with 4-H livestock and project showing.
Missoula, MT Official event details - Western Montana Fair
Nine-day fair over two weekends with free admission, nightly live music at 7 p.m., a carnival, Lords of Dirt and the Missoula Stampede Rodeo; 4-H and FFA youth show livestock at the fair.
Missoula, MT | Organizer: Missoula County Official event details - Lake County Fair
Lake County Fair in Ronan runs Jul 25-Aug 1, 2026, with exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 25-Aug 1, with 4-H and open class entries.
Ronan, MT Official event details - Musselshell County Fair
Each year Roundup hosts its county fair, most recently Jul 25-Aug 1, 2026, in Musselshell County. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 25-Aug 1 with 4-H livestock and project showing.
Roundup, MT Official event details - Roosevelt County Fair
Roosevelt County Fair in Culbertson runs Aug 4-7, 2026, with exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 4-7, with 4-H and open class entries.
Culbertson, MT Official event details - Valley County Fair
Valley County Fair in Glasgow runs Aug 4-8, 2026, with exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 4-8, with 4-H and open class entries.
Glasgow, MT Official event details - Madison County Fair
The Madison County Fair in Twin Bridges, Madison County, took place Aug 4-9 in 2026 and returns annually. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 4-9; confirm 2027 dates with the fair office.
Twin Bridges, MT Official event details - Broadwater County Fair
Each year Townsend hosts its county fair, most recently Aug 5-9, 2026, in Broadwater County. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 5-9 with 4-H livestock and project showing.
Townsend, MT Official event details - Blaine County Fair
The Blaine County Fair in Chinook, Blaine County, took place Aug 6-9 in 2026 and returns annually. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 6-9; confirm 2027 dates with the fair office.
Chinook, MT Official event details - Carter County Fair
The Carter County Fair in Ekalaka, Carter County, took place Aug 6-9 in 2026 and returns annually. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 6-9; confirm 2027 dates with the fair office.
Ekalaka, MT Official event details - Prairie County Fair
Prairie County Fair in Terry runs Aug 6-9, 2026, with exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 6-9, with 4-H and open class entries.
Terry, MT Official event details - Lodge Pole Fair (Blaine County)
The Lodge Pole Fair (Blaine County) in Lodge Pole, Blaine County, took place Aug 7 in 2026 and returns annually. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 7; confirm 2027 dates with the fair office.
Lodge Pole, MT Official event details - Mccone County Fair
Fair week in Circle (Aug 12-15, 2026) brings 4-H exhibits, junior livestock classes and community events to Mccone County. Held each year; the most recent dates were these.
Circle, MT Official event details
Plus 16 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Montana directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.