How South Carolina County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows Work
South Carolina's youth livestock season runs from local 4-H and FFA projects through county fairs and ends with the South Carolina State Fair in Columbia each October. Most county fairs set their own dates and rules, often working with the county Clemson Extension office, 4-H clubs and FFA chapters. The facts below come from the State Fair's published exhibit guides, Clemson 4-H pages and fair announcements. Dates change every year, so confirm with your fair office and Extension agent before you plan a trailer trip.
The South Carolina State Fair
The 2026 South Carolina State Fair ran October 15 to 25 at 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, according to the State Fair competition pages. The fair's website now points to October 14 to 24, 2027 for the next one. The Clemson 4-H statewide calendar listed the 2026 youth livestock order:
- Dairy: October 16 to 18
- Swine: October 17 to 19
- Junior Market Goat: October 21
- Junior Commercial Doe and Ewe: October 22
- Beef: October 22 to 24
- Dairy Goat: October 24 to 25
- 4-H Day at the Fair, plus rabbit and poultry showmanship: October 17
Who Can Show
The 2026 swine exhibit guide requires 4-H or FFA membership and sets showmanship divisions by age as of January 1: Novice (5 to 9), Junior (10 to 14), Senior (15 to 18, enrolled in high school) and Collegiate (17 to 21, enrolled in college or technical school). The junior market goat show is open to ages 5 to 21. Youth from out of state may enter junior shows, but scholarships are for South Carolina youth only, and anyone showing must be registered under their own name to collect premiums.
Entry and Fees
- Open entry registration ran July 1 to September 1, 2026. Late entries were not accepted, and online registration is preferred.
- Entry fees listed in the general rules (revised 2022) were $20 for beef cattle, $10 for swine, sheep and youth horse, and $5 for youth market goat. The 2026 swine and goat guides list $5 per head for market animals, so check the current guide.
- Premiums are paid within 30 days after the fair, and exhibitors who earn more than $599 must provide a signed W-9.
- Protests of livestock awards must be filed within five hours of the award being presented.
Market Hogs
The swine guide limits market classes to barrows and gilts that are fully healed from castration before weigh-in. Official identification is required, such as an ear tag with the US shield and a nationally unique number, or a recorded ear notch or tattoo. Swine must be inspected by a veterinarian on the farm of origin, and the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is valid for 30 days. Out-of-state hogs need a CVI listing the destination as SC State Fair. The 2026 schedule had market hog weigh-in on Monday, October 19 from 8 to 9 a.m., showmanship at 1 p.m. and the market hog show at 2 p.m. Junior and Senior placings combine showmanship, an educational contest and a record book, and the guide lists a $2,500 Farm Bureau scholarship presented at the show.
Market Goats
The junior market goat guide required goats born between September 1, 2025 and July 17, 2026 for the wether, project doe and SC born divisions. All market animals needed a scrapie tag, and goats were weighed on Wednesday, October 21 from 8 to 10 a.m., with no exceptions. Weight classes are set on show day based on entries.
Beef Cattle
The junior beef guide opens junior shows to 4-H, FFA and breed association members, with market steer classes in light, medium and heavy weights and feeder steer classes. Registered heifers must be in the exhibitor's name, and the registration papers stay with the animal. Out-of-state cattle need a CVI written within 30 days of the show. The entry fee was $20 per class, and the junior show was Saturday, October 24.
County and Regional Shows
Many South Carolina counties hold their own fairs and 4-H livestock shows. Examples from published pages:
- Orangeburg County Fair: the 2026 fair ran through October 11, with livestock shows featuring local 4-H youth, per WRDW.
- Piedmont Interstate Fair (Spartanburg): its youth beef show on October 11, 2025 charged $5 per animal and set steer weights from 450 to 1,200 pounds, per its rules sheet. South Carolina cattle did not need health certificates there.
- Spring Dairy Show: March 25 to 27, 2027 at the Garrison Arena in Pendleton, per the 4-H calendar.
The Savannah Valley 4-H Market Hog Project serves Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton, Jasper and Orangeburg counties. In 2026 it required current 4-H membership, a $15 project fee, an animal identification form by August 1, a record book and a community service project, with participants showing at the Orangeburg County Fair and the final sale held at the fairgrounds, per the Clemson Savannah Valley blog.
Preparing
- Ask your Extension agent which fairs near you host youth shows and when entries close.
- Register for state 4-H record book projects. The November 13, 2026 deadline covers beef, dairy, goat, horse and swine.
- Get your veterinary paperwork and identification squared away well before check-in.
- Feed, water and clean your own stall. The State Fair can charge junior exhibitors $10 per head per day for neglected animals.
- Arrive early on weigh-in day, because scales close on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the South Carolina State Fair?
The 2026 fair ran October 15 to 25, and the fair's site lists October 14 to 24, 2027 next.
Do I have to be in 4-H or FFA?
Yes for the State Fair's junior swine and goat shows. Junior beef also accepts breed association members.
Can out-of-state youth show?
Juniors may enter from out of state, but scholarships are for South Carolina youth only.
Who do I ask about county shows?
Your county Clemson Extension office.
South Carolina Listings Covered by This Guide
- South Carolina Junior Beef Roundup
The statewide youth beef cattle roundup runs July 30 to Aug. 1, 2027 at T. Ed Garrison Arena in Pendleton, drawing junior exhibitors from across South Carolina.
- South Carolina State Fair
The state fair fills eleven days at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia, with open and junior livestock, 4-H and FFA activities. The 2027 dates are Oct. 14-24; the 2026 fair ran Oct. 15-25.
- South Carolina State Fair Dairy Cattle Show
Dairy cattle classes open the fair livestock program in Columbia. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-10-16 to 2026-10-18.
1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29201 | Organizer: South Carolina State Fair Official event details - Western Carolina State Fair
Aiken fair that runs ten days each autumn with community competitions in canning, horticulture, floral design, photography and crafts. Entry drop-off was October 9 to 12; the most recent dates were October 16-25, 2026.
Aiken, SC Official event details - South Carolina State Fair Swine Show
Market and breeding swine are judged at the fairgrounds in Columbia. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-10-17 to 2026-10-19.
1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29201 | Organizer: South Carolina State Fair Official event details - Union County Agricultural Fair
Five-day fall fair at the Union County Fairgrounds with livestock shows, carnival rides, vendors and live entertainment. Held each year; the most recent dates were Oct. 20-24, 2026.
120 Kirby Street, Union, SC Official event details - South Carolina State Fair Junior Market Goat Show
Youth exhibitors show market goats in a one-day class at the fairgrounds. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-10-21.
1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29201 | Organizer: South Carolina State Fair Official event details - SC FFA Day at the State Fair and State Tractor CDE
FFA chapters gather on opening day of the state fair, and the State Tractor Driving Career Development Event is held the same day. Held each year; the most recent date was Oct. 15, 2026.
1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29201 | Organizer: SC FFA Association Official event details - State FFA Tractor CDE and FFA Day at the State Fair
Held each year; the most recent state FFA tractor CDE and FFA Day at the fair were on October 15, 2026, at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia.
1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC | Organizer: SC FFA / Clemson Extension Official event details - South Carolina State Fair Dairy Goat Show
Dairy goats are shown over the final weekend of the fair in Columbia. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-10-24 to 2026-10-25.
1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29201 | Organizer: South Carolina State Fair Official event details - South Carolina State Fair Beef Cattle Show
Open and junior beef shows for Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Simmental, Gelbvieh and other breeds, plus a junior steer class. Held each year; the most recent show ran Oct. 22-24, 2026 at 10 am daily.
1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29201 | Organizer: South Carolina State Fair Official event details - South Carolina State Fair Junior Commercial Doe and Ewe Show
Junior exhibitors show commercial does and ewes in a single-day class at the fairgrounds. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-10-22.
1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29201 | Organizer: South Carolina State Fair Official event details
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.