What Montana 4-H Offers Beyond the Fair
Montana 4-H runs through MSU Extension county and tribal area offices, and the year is far bigger than one fair week. Members can show projects at a county fair, compete in state contests, and attend a statewide leadership event on the Bozeman campus. Most deadlines are set by your county Extension office first and the state second, so ask your local office for its calendar before you rely on any date below. The state office also keeps a Montana 4-H calendar with statewide deadlines and events.
Montana 4-H Congress
Congress is the big summer event. According to the Montana 4-H Congress page, it is a four-day event on the Montana State University campus in Bozeman with contests (not required), workshops, entertainment and social events. Here is what to know:
- Dates: July 7-10, 2026; July 14-17, 2027; July 11-14, 2028; and July 10-13, 2029.
- Who can go: 4-H members who are at least 13 years old as of October 1 of the current 4-H year, plus volunteers and Extension staff. Chaperones must be certified 4-H volunteers or MSU Extension staff who are at least 21.
- Cost: $255, which covers three nights of lodging, seven meals, program costs and an event t-shirt. Campus parking is extra.
- Registration: It opens May 1 and the state deadline is June 15, and everything goes through your county or tribal area Extension office, which may set an earlier deadline.
The state calendar lists June 15, 2027 as the deadline for Congress registration and Ambassador Officer applications, with Ambassador Officer team selection and Pre-Congress set for July 12-14, 2027.
Pre-Congress for Ambassadors and Teen Leaders
Older youth leaders can add Pre-Congress, a work session where Ambassadors, teen leaders and volunteers plan the general Congress program with 4-H center staff. In 2026 it ran July 5-7 on the MSU campus and cost $95 for youth and $75 for adult chaperones. Youth must be a 4-H Ambassador or teen leader and take part in a Congress committee. State Ambassador Officers are selected the same weekend, and anyone running for an officer position must also register for Pre-Congress.
State Contests at Congress
The contest policies page sets the ground rules for competition at Congress:
- You must be a registered member of the county you represent and meet that county's own eligibility rules and deadlines.
- Members may compete in only one contest at State 4-H Congress.
- A 13-year-old may compete if the county allows it but may not qualify for national or regional award trips because of age. The eligibility is kept for later years.
- To be eligible for a Montana team at Western 4-H Roundup in Denver, you must compete in a state-level Congress contest. A member may attend Denver Roundup once per discipline.
- A member may attend National 4-H Congress only once.
Contests named on the policy page include Fashion Revue, Public Speaking, Demonstrations and Illustrated Talks, Livestock Judging, Horse Judging, Gavel Games, Hippology, Stir-Ups, Quilt, Career Communications and Video. Some carry specific rules:
- Fashion Revue: open to members who earned a county blue ribbon.
- Livestock and Horse Judging: each county may field one team of four plus up to two alternates. Two adjacent counties may combine only if neither can field a full team alone, and combined teams take no alternates.
- Public Speaking: the top two individuals choose between the Denver regional contest and National Congress in Atlanta.
- Demonstrations and Illustrated Talks: the top three placings (a pair counts as one) earn National Congress trips if they have not attended before.
Even a sponsored trip has out-of-pocket costs such as travel and some meals. If a winner declines a trip, it passes to the next eligible member, up to third place, so tell the state office early.
A Year of Montana 4-H Dates
The state calendar shows how much happens outside summer. For the 2026-2027 year it lists, among other things:
- October 1: the new 4-H year begins.
- November 6-8, 2026: Fall Leadership Training for Teen Leaders and Ambassadors in Butte.
- January 17-19, 2027: Montana 4-H Citizenship Seminar in Helena, followed by 4-H Day at the Capitol on January 19.
- March 7-8, 2027: Montana 4-H State Shoot in Bozeman.
- May 1, 2027: deadline for Youth State Awards and Volunteer State Awards.
- September 2027: Working Ranch Horse Show and State Horse Show, with dates not yet set when the calendar was published.
County Fairs Come First
Most members start at a county fair. MSU Extension's 2026 fair dates list ran from Choteau (June 23-28) and Eureka (June 24-28) through Billings (August 7-15) and into early September with Hamilton, Dillon and Plains. Fair books, entry deadlines and rules differ by county, so pick up the current book from your Extension office as soon as it is posted.
Practical Tips
- Ask your county office for its Congress deadline; it may be earlier than June 15.
- Check the age rule: 13 as of October 1 of the current 4-H year.
- Earn your county blue ribbons early if you plan to enter Fashion Revue.
- Budget for travel and meals on top of the registration fee.
- Put the state calendar dates on the fridge in October, when the 4-H year starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old do I have to be for Montana 4-H Congress?
You must be at least 13 as of October 1 of the current 4-H year. A 13-year-old may compete in contests if the county allows it but cannot qualify for national or regional trips because of age.
Can I enter more than one contest at Congress?
No. The contest policies say members may compete in only one contest at State 4-H Congress.
Where do I register?
Through your county or tribal area MSU Extension office, using the ZSuite events menu, by the state deadline of June 15 or your county's earlier date.
Where do I find my county's dates?
Contact your county MSU Extension office for the current fair book and calendar.
Montana Listings Covered by This Guide
- Montana 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Training Miles City
Leader training for 4-H shooting sports disciplines (rifle, pistol, shotgun, archery) in Miles City, December 4-5, 2026; registration closed November 30.
Miles City, MT Official event details - Montana 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Training Kalispell
Leader training covering rifle, pistol, shotgun, archery, muzzleloader and hunting skills in Kalispell, December 4-5, 2026.
Kalispell, MT Official event details - Montana 4-H State Shoot
Montana 4-H shooting sports state shoot in Bozeman, March 7-8, 2027.
- Montana 4-H Recreation Lab
Statewide 4-H Recreation Lab hosted in Ekalaka, March 19-21, 2027, for District 8, with the date set by the host district each spring.
Ekalaka, MT Official event details - Gallatin County 4-H and FFA Fair
Big Sky Country State Fair youth fair at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds; 2026 events ran July 9-19 and the next fair is announced for July 15-25, 2027.
- Chouteau County 4-H and FFA Fair
Chouteau County 4-H and FFA Fair at the county fairgrounds in Fort Benton, August 18-22, 2027 (2026 was August 12-16), with indoor exhibits, animal classes and a creative trades auction.
- Montana 4-H State Shotgun Qualifier
State 4-H shotgun qualifier held in Logan on Saturday, May 2, 2026, part of the Montana 4-H shooting sports schedule.
Logan, MT Official event details - Choteau 4-H Fair
Choteau 4-H fair in Teton County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 23-28, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Choteau, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Teton County 4-H Fair
Fair week in Choteau with interview judging, dog show, swine, goat, lamb and beef shows, Round Robin and an adult showmanship class. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 23-28, 2026.
Choteau, MT | 406-466-2491 | Organizer: MSU Extension Teton County Official event details - Eureka 4-H Fair
Eureka 4-H fair in Lincoln County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 24-28, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Eureka, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Montana 4-H Congress
Statewide 4-H gathering on the Montana State University campus for members 13 and older, with contests, workshops and county delegations. The 2026 Congress ran July 7 to 10.
Bozeman, MT Official event details - Browning 4-H Fair
Browning 4-H fair in Glacier County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 7-10, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Browning, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Columbus 4-H Fair
Columbus 4-H fair in Stillwater County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 12-18, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Columbus, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Stillwater County 4-H and FFA Fair
Week-long youth fair at the ACE Civic Center in Columbus with shooting sports, swine, goat, sheep and beef shows, dog and horse events, a carcass contest and free admission. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 12-18, 2026.
Columbus, MT | 406-322-8035 | Organizer: Stillwater County Extension Official event details - Montana 4-H State Livestock Judging Contest
Judging contest held during 4-H Congress at the Miller Pavilion area on July 8, 2026; classes of beef, swine, sheep and meat goats plus reasons. Winning team earns travel help to the Western Roundup in Denver.
Bozeman, MT Official event details - Plentywood 4-H Fair
Plentywood 4-H fair in Sheridan County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 16-18, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Plentywood, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Hill County 4-H Round Robin Showmanship Competition
Round Robin showmanship at the Great Northern Fair in Havre follows the Friday morning swine, goat and sheep shows, with beef, small animal and dog shows held earlier in the same fair week.
Havre, MT | Organizer: Hill County 4-H Official event details - Montana 4-H State Western Heritage Match
State 4-H Western Heritage shooting event held in Simms on Saturday, July 18, 2026.
Simms, MT Official event details - Hardin 4-H Fair
Hardin 4-H fair in Big Horn County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 18-26, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Hardin, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Big Timber 4-H Fair
Big Timber 4-H fair in Sweet Grass County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 20-24, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Big Timber, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Glendive 4-H Fair
Glendive 4-H fair in Dawson County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 20-25, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Glendive, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Red Lodge 4-H Fair
Red Lodge 4-H fair in Carbon County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 20-25, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Red Lodge, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Carbon County 4-H and FFA Fair
Six-day youth fair at the Red Lodge fairgrounds, July 20-25, 2026: indoor judging, small animal and horse check-in, weigh-in, beef showmanship, a fair dance and a Saturday livestock sale.
Red Lodge, MT Official event details - Carbon County Fair Poultry and Rabbit Shows
Evening small-animal shows in the show barn: poultry on July 20 and rabbits on July 21, 2026, both at 4:30 p.m., during the Carbon County 4-H and FFA Fair.
Red Lodge, MT Official event details - Helena 4-H Fair
Helena 4-H fair in Lewis And Clark County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 21-25, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Helena, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Hill County 4-H Horse Show
The 4-H horse show opens Hill County fair week at the Great Northern Fair in Havre, followed that evening by market animal weigh-in from 6 to 8 p.m. and the beef show on Thursday.
Havre, MT | Organizer: Hill County 4-H Official event details - Forsyth 4-H Fair
Forsyth 4-H fair in Rosebud County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 15-18, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Forsyth, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Shelby 4-H Fair
Shelby 4-H fair in Toole County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 15-19, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Shelby, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Havre 4-H Fair
Havre 4-H fair in Hill County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 15-19, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Havre, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Broadus 4-H Fair
Broadus 4-H fair in Powder River County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 23-25, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Broadus, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Stanford 4-H Fair
Stanford 4-H fair in Judith Basin County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 27-31, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Stanford, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - White Sulphur Springs 4-H Fair
White Sulphur Springs 4-H fair in Meagher County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 28-30, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
White Sulphur Springs, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Scobey 4-H Fair
Scobey 4-H fair in Daniels County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 22-25, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Scobey, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Harlowton 4-H Fair
Harlowton 4-H fair in Wheatland County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 29-31, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Harlowton, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Butte 4-H Fair
Butte 4-H fair in Silver Bow County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 30-Aug 1, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Butte, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Superior 4-H Fair
Superior 4-H fair in Mineral County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 30-Aug 1, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Superior, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Lewis and Clark County 4-H Indoor Project Auction
Members auction up to five projects they made during the year, including food, woodworking, welding, photography, visual arts and sewing; buyer registration opens at 2:30 p.m. in the Exhibit Hall.
Helena, MT | Organizer: Lewis and Clark County 4-H Council Official event details - Ronan 4-H Fair
Ronan 4-H fair in Lake County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 25-Aug 1, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Ronan, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Roundup 4-H Fair
Roundup 4-H fair in Musselshell County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 25-Aug 1, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Roundup, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Carbon County Cloverbud Animal Showcase
Noon showcase in the show barn on Saturday, July 25, 2026, giving the youngest Carbon County 4-H Cloverbuds a turn with animals before the afternoon livestock sale.
Red Lodge, MT Official event details
Plus 41 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.