How North Carolina County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows Work
North Carolina's fair season runs from late August into late October, starting with community fairs in the Piedmont and ending at the N.C. State Fair in Raleigh. Most counties run a junior livestock show, a youth division for garden, canning and craft entries, and an open class for adults. The dates and rules below come from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, N.C. Cooperative Extension and a published 2026 fair schedule. Every fair writes its own rules, so read the premium book or entry page for your show before you buy feed.
The 2026 Fair Calendar
A 2026 North Carolina county fair schedule listed these dates:
- August: Drexel Fair, August 21 to 29
- Early September: Hickory American Legion Fair in Newton (September 2 to 7), Iredell County Agricultural Fair in Troutman (September 4 to 12), Cumberland County Fair in Fayetteville (September 4 to 13)
- Mid September: Cabarrus County Fair in Concord (September 11 to 19), N.C. Mountain State Fair in Fletcher (September 11 to 20), Stokes County Agricultural Fair in King (September 15 to 19), Lee Regional Fair in Sanford (September 16 to 20), Chatham County Agricultural and Industrial Fair in Pittsboro (September 17 to 20)
- Late September: Davidson County in Lexington and Rowan County in Salisbury (both September 21 to 26), Pitt County in Greenville and Wilson County in Wilson (both September 22 to 27), Haywood County in Waynesville (September 24 to 27), Chowan County Regional Fair in Edenton (September 29 to October 3)
- October: Robeson County Fair in Lumberton and Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair in Dudley (both October 1 to 10), Cleveland County Fair in Shelby (October 1 to 11), Carolina Classic Fair in Winston-Salem (October 2 to 11), Onslow County in Jacksonville (October 13 to 17), Columbus County in Whiteville (October 13 to 18), Brunswick Agricultural Fair and Expo in Ash (October 21 to 25)
Duplin, Surry, Caldwell, Lenoir and Wilkes counties were listed with dates still to be announced. Treat the list as a starting point and confirm dates with the fair itself.
The N.C. State Fair
The 2026 N.C. State Fair ran October 15 to 25 in Raleigh, according to the state fair competition announcement. The wrap-up release reported 910,584 visitors, more than 24,000 general and livestock entries, and a record Junior Livestock Sale of Champions that brought $234,000 in bids on the final day. The 2027 fair is set for October 14 to 24.
Most competitions close September 15, and most are free to enter. Entries go in online or on paper, and the release notes you may need a digital W-9 to receive prize money. Categories, rules and both premium books (general entries and livestock) are under the Competitions tab at ncstatefair.org.
State Fair Youth Livestock: Nominations and Tags
The State Fair livestock page lists junior shows for beef, goats, swine and sheep, and the state fair requires nomination before entry. All steps are required to be eligible to show.
- Market beef (2026): order a nomination kit March 15 to April 14, nominate and upload a photo April 15 to May 14, then enter August 15 to September 15.
- Jr. ewes, market lambs, gilts, barrows, commercial does and market goats (2026): order a kit May 15 to June 14, nominate, upload a photo and turn in DNA to your local Extension office June 15 to July 15, then enter August 15 to September 15.
- Up to 12 animals can be nominated per exhibitor, per show or species depending on the category.
- Entry uses either the N.C. State Fair tag or a Got to Be NC tag. Got to Be NC kits do not include tags, so you supply them.
- The nomination photo must show the animal's head with a legible tag, plus the exhibitor.
Other 2026 points from the same page: market beef must weigh at least 1,100 pounds with no upper limit, and the weigh-back must fall within 5 percent of declared weight. Gilts have a top weight of 375 pounds and a February 1 birthdate cutoff. Exhibitors in FFA and 4-H sign an affidavit. Entries are made at ncsfle.fairwire.com. Your county Extension agent handles DNA collection and can verify starting weights for the Performance Market Steer program.
A 2025 notice from the Stokes County Extension center added that swine exhibitors could show two purebred and two crossbred gilts, that registered animals must be registered in the exhibitor's or a North Carolina family member's name (with an affidavit exception for FFA and official 4-H animals), and that a heifer may be shown in the feeder calf show or the Jr. Beef Heifer show but not both. Check the current premium book for any changes.
The N.C. Mountain State Fair
The 2026 Mountain State Fair ran September 11 to 20 at the Western N.C. Ag Center in Fletcher with 46 competition categories. Livestock contests and general exhibits closed August 28. Livestock shows cover cattle, swine, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits and llamas. Registration is online through ShoWorks. General exhibits are free for North Carolina residents, youth livestock registration is free, and open livestock shows charge a fee. Exhibitors in outlying western counties can use the Pony Express option to drop entries at their county Extension office.
A County Example: Stokes
The 2026 Stokes County Agricultural Fair shows how a county show runs. Entries closed September 1 through Showman.app, with the Jr. Meat Goat show on September 16, Jr. Sheep on September 18, and Jr. Swine and Jr. Beef Cattle on September 19. The youth divisions were open to young people living in Stokes, Rockingham, Guilford, Surry, Yadkin, Forsyth, Patrick or Henry counties. Full rules were in the fair's flip book at stokescountyfair.org, and the Extension center took questions at 336-593-8179. Your county will have its own residency rule, so ask before you plan.
County Fair Results
The State Fair also runs a County Fairs competition. The 2026 results sheet groups county fairs into small, medium and large classes, each with adult, youth and best-of-show divisions.
Preparing Your Exhibitor
- Call your county Extension center in spring. In 2026, State Fair nomination kits were handed out on set pickup dates at ag centers, schools and livestock shows across the state.
- Put the nomination and entry windows on the calendar the day you get an animal, because a missed step ends eligibility.
- Tag, photograph and weigh early. You need a legible tag in the photo and a verified weight for some programs.
- Read the premium book for your county fair, including residency, check-in times and when animals may leave.
- Enter general exhibits too. The Mountain State Fair, for one, takes recipes, crafts, canned goods, plants and photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the N.C. State Fair?
The 2026 fair ran October 15 to 25 in Raleigh. The 2027 fair is October 14 to 24.
Do I have to nominate my animal for the State Fair?
Yes for the junior species listed on the State Fair livestock page. Nominate, upload the photo and turn in DNA where required, then enter. All steps are required to show.
Where do I turn in DNA samples?
At your local N.C. Cooperative Extension office, by July 15 for small animals in 2026.
Are fair entries free?
Most State Fair competitions are free to enter. Mountain State Fair general exhibits and youth livestock registration are free, while open livestock shows have a fee. Individual county fairs set their own fees.
North Carolina Listings Covered by This Guide
- Hickory American Legion Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were September 2 to September 7, 2026. American Legion fair in Newton, Catawba County.
Newton, NC Official event details - Cumberland County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were September 4 to September 13, 2026. Fayetteville fair at 1960 Coliseum Dr.
1960 Coliseum Dr, Fayetteville, NC Official event details - Iredell County Agricultural Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were September 4 to September 12, 2026. County agricultural fair at the Iredell County Fairgrounds, 630 N Main St in Troutman.
630 N Main St, Troutman, NC 28166 Official event details - Cumberland County Fair Livestock Shows
Youth livestock shows held with the Cumberland County Fair: laying hens Sept 4, market lamb and meat goats Sept 5, hogs, steers and feeder calves with a sale Sept 9, beef heifers Sept 11 (2026 dates).
Fayetteville, NC | Organizer: Cumberland County Center, N.C. Cooperative Extension Official event details - N.C. Mountain State Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were September 11 to September 20, 2026. Western North Carolina state fair at 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd. in Fletcher.
- Cabarrus County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were September 11 to September 19, 2026. Concord fair at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, 4759 NC-49.
4759 NC-49, Concord, NC Official event details - NC Mountain State Fair
Western North Carolina fair in Fletcher with rides, food, livestock and entertainment. Held each year; the most recent dates were September 11-20, 2026, with daily hours of 9 AM to 9 PM.
1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher, NC 28732 | Organizer: North Carolina Department of Agriculture Official event details - Lee Regional Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were September 16 to September 20, 2026. Regional fair at 505 N 7th St in Sanford.
505 N 7th St, Sanford, NC Official event details - Chatham County Agricultural and Industrial Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were September 17 to September 20, 2026. Pittsboro fair at 191 Fairgrounds Rd.
191 Fairgrounds Rd, Pittsboro, NC Official event details - Davidson County Agricultural Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were September 21 to September 26, 2026. Lexington agricultural fair at 400 Greensboro Street Ext.
400 Greensboro Street Ext., Lexington, NC Official event details - Rowan County Agricultural and Industrial Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were September 21 to September 26, 2026. Salisbury fair at 1560 Julian Rd.
1560 Julian Rd, Salisbury, NC Official event details - Rowan County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were September 21-26, 2026. Features an Exhibit Hall, junior livestock shows for lambs, goats and dairy cattle, and a youth poultry show. Exhibits were dropped off September 20.
Salisbury, NC | (704) 216-8970 | Organizer: N.C. Cooperative Extension Rowan County Center Official event details - Stokes County Agricultural Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were September 15 to September 19, 2026. Agricultural fair in King, Stokes County.
King, NC Official event details - Macon County Fair
The 2026 Macon County Fair runs September 23-26 at the Wayne Proffitt Agricultural Center on Georgia Road in Franklin.
1436 Georgia Road, Franklin, NC 28734 Official event details - Pitt County American Legion Agricultural Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were September 22 to September 27, 2026. Greenville fair at 3901 Greenville Blvd NE.
3901 Greenville Blvd NE, Greenville, NC Official event details - Wilson County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were September 22 to September 27, 2026. Wilson fair at 2331 US-301.
2331 US-301, Wilson, NC Official event details - Chowan County Regional Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were September 29 to October 3, 2026. Regional fair in Edenton.
Edenton, NC Official event details - Pitt County Fair
The Pitt County Fair takes place September 22-27, 2026 on Greenville Blvd NE in Greenville, with 4-H livestock show events scheduled for September 26.
3901 Greenville Blvd NE, Greenville, NC | Organizer: Pitt County American Legion Agricultural Fair, Inc. Official event details - Surry County Agricultural Fair
Held each year in Mount Airy; the most recent dates were September 22-26, 2026. A late-September county fair in the northwestern Piedmont with agricultural exhibits and entertainment.
Mount Airy, NC Official event details - Haywood County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were September 24 to September 27, 2026. Waynesville fair.
Waynesville, NC Official event details - Carolina Classic Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were October 2 to October 11, 2026. Forsyth County fair at 421 27th Street NW in Winston-Salem.
- Carolina Classic Fair Junior Market Lamb Show
Junior market lamb show in the Carolina Classic Fair livestock department, with entries due September 25. Held each year; the most recent show was October 4, 2026 at 2 PM.
Winston-Salem, NC | (336) 414-0553 | Organizer: Carolina Classic Fair Official event details - Lenoir County Agricultural Fair
Lenoir County's agricultural fair is set for October 6-10, 2026 at 401 Fairgrounds Road in Kinston.
401 Fairgrounds Road, Kinston, NC Official event details - Cleveland County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were October 1 to October 11, 2026. Shelby fair at 1751 E. Marion Street.
1751 E. Marion Street, Shelby, NC Official event details - Robeson County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were October 1 to October 10, 2026. Robeson County Fairgrounds fair in Lumberton.
Lumberton, NC Official event details - Onslow County Agricultural Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were October 13 to October 17, 2026. Jacksonville agricultural fair.
Jacksonville, NC Official event details - Columbus County Agricultural Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were October 13 to October 18, 2026. Whiteville agricultural fair.
Whiteville, NC Official event details - Columbus County Agriculture Fair
Six-day agriculture fair in Whiteville with rides, a demolition derby and fair food; held each year, most recently October 13 to 18, 2026.
Whiteville, NC Official event details - Brunswick Agricultural Fair and Expo
Held each year; the most recent dates were October 21 to October 25, 2026. Brunswick County fair and expo in Ash.
Ash, NC Official event details - Brunswick County Agricultural Fair and Expo
Agricultural fair and expo at 2030 Ash Little River Road NW in Ash, NC, in its second year in 2026, when it ran October 21 to 25.
2030 Ash Little River Road NW, Ash, NC Official event details - North Carolina State Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were October 15-25, 2026 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Special days included College Day, Senior Citizens Day and Military Appreciation Day.
- N.C. State Fair Junior Livestock Sale of Champions
Held each year at the N.C. State Fair; the most recent sale was October 25, 2026. Junior market steers, barrows, lambs, goats and turkeys sold and bids reached a record $234,000.
- Cleveland County Fair Inc.
Nonprofit behind the Cleveland County Fair in Shelby; it received a 2024 Tobacco Trust Fund grant to buy pens for dairy goat, meat goat and market lamb shows at Weathers Livestock Arena.
Shelby, NC - Fair Share Farm
Pfafftown farm stand open Tuesday to Friday noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the May 2026 Forsyth Extension guide.
3868 Transou Rd, Pfafftown, NC 27040 - Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Farmers Market
Farmers market in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, open Saturdays 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. Open year round at the Winston-Salem fairgrounds in 2026.
421 W. 27th St., Winston-Salem, NC 27105
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.