How New Mexico County Fairs Work
New Mexico county fairs are run locally, usually through the county's NMSU Cooperative Extension office, and each one publishes its own fair book. Rules, weights and deadlines differ from county to county, so read your county's book before you buy an animal. The examples below come from 2026 fair books and show how much they vary.
2026 Fair Examples
- Chaves County 4-H and FFA Fair (Roswell). Friday, July 24 through Saturday, August 1, with the Junior Livestock Sale on Friday, July 31 at 7:00 p.m., per the 2026 fair book.
- Eastern Navajo Fair 4-H Junior Livestock Show (Crownpoint). Check-in Thursday, July 23 and judging Friday, July 24 at the Larry Lantana 4-H Livestock Pavilion, per the show rules.
- Curry County Fair (Clovis). August 10 to 15, with the Junior Livestock Sale at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, August 14 at the Curry County Events Center, per the livestock fair book.
- Socorro County Fair. Monday, August 31 through Sunday, September 6, with the 4-H/FFA Junior Livestock Auction Saturday, September 5 at 3 p.m., per the fair booklet.
The Sandoval County Fair also ran in 2026, but the county press release does not give its dates. Contact your local Extension office for your county's schedule.
Who Can Show
Most fairs require 4-H or FFA membership in that county. Chaves requires exhibitors to be bona fide 4-H or FFA members of the county, enrolled and in good standing, with enrollment due March 31 and project enrollment due May 1. Its age divisions are Cloverbud/Booster (5-8), Novice (9-11), Junior (12-13) and Senior (14-18). Socorro requires membership in a Socorro County 4-H club or enrollment in a Socorro County high school FFA program. Curry allows a Special Age Division at age 7 as of October 1 with a verification form showing four 4-H or FFA meetings or community events.
Entry Deadlines and Fees
- Chaves: entry forms and fees due Wednesday, July 1 at the Extension office, 1610 SE Main, Roswell. Late livestock entries cost $25 per family.
- Curry: online entries open July 1 and close August 1. Most junior entries are $10, limited to 12 entries per species, and late entries are $25 each until 11 a.m. on the Monday of the fair.
- Eastern Navajo: entries must be postmarked by Friday, June 12 at 5 p.m. with no walk-ins. Fees are $5 administrative per exhibitor, $10 per large animal and $5 per small animal.
- Socorro: small stock entries due Wednesday, September 2.
Tagging, Ownership and Health Rules
Ownership deadlines vary. Chaves requires market beef by April 1 and hogs, lambs, dairy heifers and meat goats by June 1. Curry's deadline for beef, lambs, goats, swine and dairy heifers is June 15, with rabbits 30 days and poultry 60 days before the fair. Eastern Navajo requires sheep and goats to carry RFID/840 and scrapie tags before check-in and all market beef to carry an RFID/840 tag and a brand. Chaves requires intact meat goats to carry a federal scrapie tag and tattoos per New Mexico Livestock Board rules, and rabbits need a tattoo in the left ear. Eastern Navajo requires health inspection papers dated within 30 days for livestock entering New Mexico, plus a hauling permit. Curry requires current YQCA for production steers and a negative TB test within 120 days for dairy replacement heifers. The Chaves and Eastern Navajo materials we read do not mention a quality assurance requirement, so ask your agent.
Weights
- Market lamb. Chaves 80 lb minimum, Curry 80 lb minimum, Eastern Navajo 70 lb minimum.
- Market goat. Chaves 40 lb minimum, Curry 40 lb minimum, Eastern Navajo 35 lb minimum.
- Market hog. Chaves 190 lb minimum and 290 lb maximum, Curry 200 to 280 lb, Eastern Navajo 125 lb minimum.
- Market steer. Chaves 800 lb minimum, Curry 950 lb minimum and 1,300 lb sale maximum, Eastern Navajo 800 lb minimum.
Show Day and Weigh-In
Chaves requires exhibitors to be present for check-in, classification and weigh-in or risk forfeiting, and adults may not assist in the show ring. Curry livestock arrive Monday 6:00 to 11:00 a.m., hog weigh-in runs 6:00 to 11:00 a.m., and its classifier's decision is final with one re-weigh. Curry bans hay, straw and dirt as bedding, fines dirty bedding areas $25, and expects pens clean by 10 a.m. daily.
The Junior Livestock Sale
Curry qualifies about 75 percent of exhibitors per species and barn, capped at 102 slots, and each exhibitor may sell one animal. Exhibitors must declare intent at an 8:30 a.m. meeting, a W-9 is required, and terms are cash paid to the sale manager. Direct transactions with buyers are not allowed. Chaves holds its sale Friday, July 31, and Socorro holds its auction Saturday, September 5, with proceeds going to the exhibitors who raised the animals.
Beyond the County: the State Fair
Blue ribbon winners can move up. The Sandoval release says 163 blue ribbon winners qualified for the New Mexico State Fair from more than 280 indoor entries, and qualifying livestock exhibitors also compete at the State Fair, which opened September 10, 2026 at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque. State fair junior livestock has its own DNA and nomination procedures, so ask your agent early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I get a fair book?
From your county's NMSU Cooperative Extension office, which usually posts it online.
Are the rules the same in every county?
No. Weights, ownership dates, tagging and sale rules all differ, as the weights above show.
Can I enter late?
Some fairs allow it for a fee, such as $25 in Chaves and Curry. Eastern Navajo allows no walk-ins.
New Mexico Listings Covered by This Guide
- Colfax County Fair
County fair at Springer with 4-H and FFA exhibits and a junior livestock sale; most recent run was July 20-26, 2026.
Springer, NM Official event details - Eastern Navajo Fair
Eastern Navajo Fair at Crownpoint, the first big fair of the New Mexico summer circuit; latest dates July 23-26, 2026.
- Eastern Navajo Fair 4-H Junior Livestock and Archery Show
Held each year in Crownpoint during the Eastern Navajo Fair; the most recent dates were July 23-24, 2026. The 4-H junior livestock and archery show has its own rules and regulations packet.
Crownpoint, NM | Organizer: McKinley County Extension Official event details - Eddy County Fair
Eddy County fair on the fairgrounds along South 13th Street in Artesia; the most recent two-day run was July 24-25, 2026.
Artesia, NM Official event details - Chaves County Fair
Chaves County fair in Roswell with 4-H and FFA shows; most recent dates were July 26 to August 1, 2026.
- Bernalillo County Fair
Bernalillo County fair running about a week at the end of July; held each year, and the the 2026 fair ran July 24 to August 1.
- Chaves County 4-H and FFA Fair
Nine-day youth fair in Roswell with junior livestock shows, indoor exhibits in Hobson Hall, a 4-H rodeo and a Friday night junior livestock sale. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 24 to August 1, 2026.
2500 SE Main St, Roswell, NM 88203 | 575-343-9075 | Organizer: Chaves County Extension Office Official event details - Bernalillo County 4-H Fair
Nine-day youth fair for Bernalillo County 4-H members, run by the county fair board with entries paid through the Extension Office. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 24 to August 1, 2026.
Albuquerque, NM | Organizer: Bernalillo County Extension Office Official event details - Union County Fair Queens Contest
Pre-fair queens contest with interviews and speeches at the Extension Office, followed by the riding portion at the rodeo arena. Held each year; the most recent date was July 26, 2026.
Clayton, NM | Organizer: Union County Fair Official event details - Santa Fe County Fair Horse Show
Sunday-morning horse show before fair week proper begins at the Rodeo Road fairgrounds. Held each year; the most recent date was July 26, 2026.
3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 | Organizer: Santa Fe County Fair Official event details - Chaves County Fair Rabbit Show
Rabbit classes open the livestock week at the Chaves County fair, with showmanship following the breed judging. Held each year; the most recent show was Monday, July 27, 2026.
Roswell, NM | Organizer: Chaves County Extension Office Official event details - Chaves County Fair Pet and Dog Show
Monday evening pet show followed by a dog show, organized with local kennel club directors during the Chaves County fair. Held each year; the most recent show was July 27, 2026.
Roswell, NM | Organizer: Chaves County Extension Office Official event details - Chaves County Fair Market Swine Show
Market swine are weighed 190 to 290 pounds on Sunday, then shown Tuesday morning after the prospect pig class at the Chaves County fair in Roswell. Held each year; the most recent show was July 28, 2026.
Roswell, NM | Organizer: Chaves County Extension Office Official event details - Chaves County Fair Meat Goat Show
Youth meat goat classes at the Chaves County fair, with a 40 pound minimum weight and weigh-in the Sunday before. Held each year; the most recent show was July 28, 2026, a day after the dairy goat show.
Roswell, NM | Organizer: Chaves County Extension Office Official event details - Chaves County Fair Rodeo
Tuesday night rodeo for 4-H and FFA families during the Chaves County fair in Roswell. Held each year; the most recent rodeo was July 28, 2026.
Roswell, NM | Organizer: Chaves County Extension Office Official event details - Santa Fe County Fair
Santa Fe County fair on the county fairgrounds off Rodeo Road; most recent dates July 29 to August 1, 2026.
- Rio Arriba County Fair
Rio Arriba County fair at the county fairgrounds in Abiquiu; latest dates July 29 to August 1, 2026.
- Chaves County Fair Market Lamb Show
Breeding sheep are judged first, then the market lamb show follows for 4-H and FFA members in Roswell. Lambs must weigh at least 80 pounds. Held each year; the most recent show was July 29, 2026.
Roswell, NM | Organizer: Chaves County Extension Office Official event details - Chaves County Fair Poultry Showmanship and Judging
Poultry showmanship followed by breed judging for 4-H and FFA members in Roswell. Held each year during fair week; the most recent contest was July 29, 2026.
Roswell, NM | Organizer: Chaves County Extension Office Official event details - Chaves County Fair Dairy Heifer Show
Evening dairy heifer show for youth exhibitors, after pregnancy testing the Monday before. Held each year at the Chaves County fair; the most recent show was July 29, 2026.
Roswell, NM | Organizer: Chaves County Extension Office Official event details - Santa Fe County Fair Goat Show
First livestock show of Santa Fe County Fair week, a Wednesday-morning goat class. Held each year; the most recent date was July 29, 2026.
3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 | Organizer: Santa Fe County Fair Official event details - Santa Fe County Fair Lamb Show
Wednesday-afternoon lamb show following the goat classes at the Santa Fe fairgrounds. Held each year; the most recent date was July 29, 2026.
3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 | Organizer: Santa Fe County Fair Official event details - Santa Fe County Fair Rabbit Showmanship and Show
Rabbit showmanship at 3 PM followed by the rabbit show, closing the Wednesday small-animal lineup. Held each year; the most recent date was July 29, 2026.
3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 | Organizer: Santa Fe County Fair Official event details - Guadalupe County Fair
Guadalupe County fair held in Santa Rosa on the Pecos River; latest dates July 30 to August 2, 2026.
Santa Rosa, NM Official event details - De Baca County Fair
De Baca County fair at Fort Sumner in the eastern plains; the most recent run was July 30 to August 1, 2026.
Fort Sumner, NM Official event details - Chaves County Fair Beef Steer and Heifer Show
Heifers are shown first on Thursday morning, followed by market steers weighed in at an 800 pound minimum. Held each year at the Chaves County fair in Roswell; the most recent show was July 30, 2026.
Roswell, NM | Organizer: Chaves County Extension Office Official event details - Chaves County Fair Wool Lead and Fashion Extravaganza
Youth lead their wool lambs and model wool fashion in an afternoon event the same day as the awards program. Held each year at the Chaves County fair; the most recent show was July 30, 2026.
Roswell, NM | Organizer: Chaves County Extension Office Official event details - Santa Fe County Fair Swine Show
Thursday-morning swine show with showmanship first and breed judging after. Held each year; the most recent date was July 30, 2026.
3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 | Organizer: Santa Fe County Fair Official event details - Santa Fe County Fair Cattle Show
Thursday-afternoon cattle show for 4-H and youth exhibitors at the county fairgrounds. Held each year; the most recent date was July 30, 2026.
3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 | Organizer: Santa Fe County Fair Official event details - Dona Ana County Fair
Dona Ana County fair in Las Cruces running over nine days, most recently July 31 to August 8, 2026.
Las Cruces, NM Official event details - Lea County Fair and Rodeo
Lea County fair and rodeo at the Lovington fairgrounds with rodeo action in Jake McClure Arena; most recent dates July 31 to August 8, 2026.
- Santa Fe County Fair Round Robin Showmanship
Friday-morning round robin in which top showmen from each species compete across animals. Held each year; the most recent date was July 31, 2026.
3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 | Organizer: Santa Fe County Fair Official event details - Santa Fe County Fair Livestock Auction
Friday-afternoon junior livestock auction preceded by a 2:30 PM buyers reception. Held each year; the most recent date was July 31, 2026.
3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 | Organizer: Santa Fe County Fair Official event details - Santa Fe County Fair Dance
Evening fair dance held Friday and again Saturday night at the fairgrounds. Held each year; the most recent first night was July 31, 2026.
3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 | Organizer: Santa Fe County Fair Official event details - Guadalupe County Fair Women's Ranch Rodeo
Women's ranch rodeo with go-rounds at 10 AM and 1 PM on Friday of fair weekend. Held each year; the most recent date was July 31, 2026.
Santa Rosa, NM | Organizer: Guadalupe County Fair Official event details - Guadalupe County Fair Ranch Rodeo
Two-night ranch rodeo that follows a Friday Calcutta and wraps the Saturday buyers' dinner night. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 31 and August 1, 2026.
Santa Rosa, NM | Organizer: Guadalupe County Fair Official event details - Guadalupe County Fair Junior Livestock Shows
Friday-morning junior livestock shows ending with the showmanship buckle presentation. Held each year; the most recent date was July 31, 2026.
Santa Rosa, NM | Organizer: Guadalupe County Fair Official event details - Chaves County Fair Horse Show
Youth horse show in the Bob Crosby Arena that opens the arena events of the Chaves County fair. Held each year; the most recent show was Saturday, July 25, 2026.
Roswell, NM | Organizer: Chaves County Extension Office Official event details - Lincoln County Fair
Lincoln County youth livestock and exhibit fair held at Capitan; the latest edition ran August 4-8, 2026.
Capitan, NM Official event details - San Miguel and Mora County Fair
Joint fair for San Miguel and Mora counties held in Las Vegas, NM; latest dates were August 5-8, 2026.
Las Vegas, NM Official event details
Plus 106 more. Find yours on your county's page in the New Mexico directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.