How Utah County Fairs and Junior Livestock Shows Work
Utah's youth livestock season is built on two layers. Each county has a fair, run locally with its USU Extension 4-H office and FFA chapters, and a circuit of regional junior livestock shows rotates across the state from spring to September. Ownership dates, tagging and weights differ by show, so the premium book for your show always wins over a general guide. The examples below come from published Extension and fair pages.
2026 County Fair Dates
USU Extension's county fair schedule listed these 2026 dates. For deadlines and entry details it points readers to the county Extension office directory.
- Washington: April 10 to 18 (the earliest on the list)
- Carbon: June 4 to 6
- Grand: July 2 to 4
- Morgan and Piute: July 27 to August 1
- Utah: July 29 to August 1
- Emery: July 30 to August 1
- Tooele: July 31 to August 2
- Juab and San Juan: August 1 to 8
- Summit: August 2 to 9
- Garfield and Sevier: August 3 to 8
- Cache and Weber: August 5 to 8
- Kane: August 6 to 9
- Rich and Wayne: August 10 to 15
- Uintah: August 19 to 22
- Beaver: August 20 to 22
- Millard: August 21 to 22
- Box Elder: August 23 to 29
- Sanpete: August 24 to 29
- Iron: September 3 to 7
Davis, Duchesne (August) and Wasatch were still to be determined on that list. Salt Lake County has no county fair and holds 4-H Discovery Days instead. Daggett County does not appear on the schedule, and its 4-H directory entry links to Uintah County. The Washington County government says the 2026 Washington County Fair marked 165 years and draws about 60,000 people a year.
The Junior Livestock Show Circuit
Market animals are shown at regional junior livestock shows. USU Extension's Utah County livestock page lists these estimated 2027 dates:
- Utah State Jr. Livestock Show, Spanish Fork: April 28 to May 1
- Millard County, Delta: May 25 to 28
- Uintah Basin, Vernal: May 31 to June 3
- Southeastern Utah, Ferron: July 7 to 10
- Utah County Fair, Spanish Fork: August 4 to 7
- Salt Lake County, South Jordan: August 11 to 14
- Utah State Fair, Salt Lake City: September 15 to 18
The page marks these dates as estimated and refers exhibitors to the Utah Jr. Livestock Association and each show's own site for rules.
Who Can Show
Utah County's tagging page says youth must be at least 8 years old and in third grade by the tagging deadline, and must have active 4-H status before an animal can be tagged. Tooele County's 2026 rule book uses the same age and grade rule, requires county residency, allows showing through the season of high school graduation but not past the 19th birthday, and asks exhibitors to choose 4-H or FFA at entry and stay with it. At the Utah State Fair, showmanship divisions are Junior (grades 3 to 5), Intermediate (grades 6 to 8) and Senior (grades 9 to 12).
Ownership and Tagging
In Utah County, the tag date starts official ownership. Cattle must be tagged 100 days before the show and sheep, goats and hogs 60 days before. Tags cost $2 each, and a $20 farm visit is available for families who cannot attend a tagging event. Register for 4-H at 4h.zsuite.org, then register for a tagging event in your account. For the 2026 Utah State Fair show, tagging deadlines were June 1 for beef and July 11 for sheep, goats and hogs. The fair uses a yellow USJLA ear tag, and orange tags are accepted for sheep and goats. Tooele's 2026 deadlines were April 20 for beef and May 30 for goats, sheep and swine.
Entry Fees and Deadlines
- Utah State Fair 2026: entries opened August 1 and closed August 14 at 11:59 p.m. MST, with no late entries. The fee was $25 per animal, one animal per exhibitor, per the fair's market show page.
- Tooele 2026: membership by March 1, online entry at fairentry.com opening May 1, due June 29, late entries through July 10 with a $25 late fee. Entry was $20 per head, with a maximum of two animals of one species or one of each species.
Weights and Weigh-In
- Utah State Fair: hogs 240 to 330 lb, steers 1,000 lb minimum, lambs 110 lb minimum, goats 50 lb minimum. Weights taken at the scale are final and used for class placement.
- Tooele: minimums of 1,050 lb for beef, 230 lb for swine, 110 lb for sheep and 50 lb for goats, with no maximum. Animals under the minimum are sifted from the sale but may still show in showmanship.
State Fair weigh-in in 2026 was Wednesday, September 16 for hogs and steers and Wednesday night or Thursday morning for lambs, with goats on Thursday, September 17 from 5 to 7:30 a.m. Hogs must be clipped before arrival, lambs may carry no more than 1/8 inch of wool, and goats must be slick shorn to 3/8 inch or less above the knees and hocks.
Health, Drugs and Quality Assurance
Both shows are strict. The State Fair requires exhibitors and a parent or guardian to certify that no unapproved substances were given and that all withdrawal periods have passed. Grand and Reserve Champions are drug tested right after the show. Tooele has a zero tolerance policy and requires any medication to be reported before showing. Beef at Tooele needs brand inspection and a purchase invoice, and doe goats and ewe lambs need scrapie tags.
Show Day and the Sale
The State Fair judges market classes on Thursday and showmanship on Friday, and animals stay in your care until 6 p.m. Saturday. Grand and Reserve Champions of each species are terminal and must sell. Exhibitors must show and sell their own animals, and opting out of the auction must be reported within 30 minutes after the final market show. Tooele sells on the Saturday at 9 a.m. with a 3 percent commission, boosts limited to $100 per registered buyer, and Grand and Reserve animals required to sell. Dress codes apply: Tooele asks 4-H members for a white collared shirt with a 4-H emblem and FFA members for a white shirt, tie and FFA jacket or emblem.
Practical Tips
- Tag early and enroll in 4-H or FFA first, because tagging requires active status.
- Read your show's rule book before buying an animal.
- Put the entry deadline on the calendar the day entries open.
- Keep ownership records and bills of sale.
- Get the exact dates from your county Extension office, because several were still pending.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Utah State Fair junior livestock show?
The 2026 market show ran September 16 to 19, with weigh-in September 16 and 17. The 2027 show is estimated at September 15 to 18.
How old do I need to be?
Utah County and Tooele both require exhibitors to be 8 and in third grade.
Does Salt Lake County have a county fair?
No. The Extension schedule says it holds 4-H Discovery Days instead.
Who do I call about livestock tagging?
In Utah County, the Extension livestock agent at 385-225-7740.
Utah Listings Covered by This Guide
- Washington County Fair
Washington County holds its fair in spring rather than summer; the most recent dates were April 10-18, 2026. An official 2026 fair magazine was published in March 2026.
- Washington County Fair 4-H Small Animal Show
Animal costume contest on April 14 and rabbit and chicken shows on April 15 during the April Washington County Fair. Held each year; the most recent dates were April 14 and 15, 2026.
Hurricane, UT | 435-301-7740 Official event details - Carbon County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Jun 4-6, 2026. The Carbon County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Carbon County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
UT | Organizer: Utah 4-H and county fair board Official event details - Grand County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 2-4, 2026. The Grand County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Grand County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
UT | Organizer: Utah 4-H and county fair board Official event details - Wasatch County Fair Days
Heber City fair week with a demolition derby, party in the park, talent contest, carnival, barbecue dinner, parade and a closing balloon launch after the rodeo. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 23 to August 1, 2026.
Heber City, UT Official event details - Morgan County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 27-Aug 1, 2026. The Morgan County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Morgan County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
UT | Organizer: Utah 4-H and county fair board Official event details - Piute County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 27-Aug 1, 2026. The Piute County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Piute County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
UT | Organizer: Utah 4-H and county fair board Official event details - Piute County Fair and Butch Cassidy Days
Piute County's fair week in Junction, most recently July 27-Aug. 1, 2026, with 4-H horse events, a Buckaroo Rodeo, a championship rodeo, barbecue, parade and bird show. Exhibits go in the Junction community center.
100 North 200 West, Junction, UT | 435-577-2029 Official event details - Davis County Summer Fun Fest
Week of barrel racing, a dog agility day, a baby show, antique tractor show, team penning and 4-H project displays at the Davis Agricultural Heritage Center. Spectator admission and parking are free. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 27 to August 1, 2026.
788 S. 50 W., Kaysville, UT, Kaysville, UT 84037 | Organizer: Davis County USU Extension 4-H Official event details - Utah County Fair Junior Livestock Show
Youth beef, sheep, swine and goat show tied to the Utah County Fair, most recently July 28-Aug. 2, 2026, with exhibitor registration open until July 1.
Spanish Fork, UT | Organizer: USU Extension Utah County 4-H Official event details - Utah County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 29-Aug 1, 2026. The Utah County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Utah County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
- Emery County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 30-Aug 1, 2026. The Emery County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Emery County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
UT | Organizer: Utah 4-H and county fair board Official event details - Tooele County Heritage Days
Grantsville fair-week festival with live entertainment, a 4-H showcase of cooking, sewing and gardening, and the junior livestock show and auction. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 30 to August 1, 2026.
2930 UT-112, Grantsville, UT, Grantsville, UT Official event details - Tooele County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Jul 31-Aug 2, 2026. The Tooele County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Tooele County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
- Summit County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 2-9, 2026. The Summit County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Summit County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
- Emery County Fair Ranch Rodeo
Ranch rodeo at 6 pm on the final day of Emery County Fair, following the morning parade. Held each year; the most recent date was August 2, 2026.
Castle Dale, UT Official event details - Sevier County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 3-8, 2026. The Sevier County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Sevier County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
UT | Organizer: Utah 4-H and county fair board Official event details - Duchesne County Fair
Week of fair activities and entertainment in Duchesne, including a 4-H junior livestock program and open shows tied to the Duchesne County Fair and Rodeo. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 3 to 8, 2026.
- Duchesne County Fair Motorsports Thrill Show
Opening-night motorsports thrill show that kicks off Duchesne County Fair week. Held each year; the most recent date was August 3, 2026.
60 W 400 S, Duchesne, UT, Duchesne, UT Official event details - Cache County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 5-8, 2026. The Cache County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Cache County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
- Weber County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 5-8, 2026. The Weber County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Weber County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
- Weber County Fair Rodeo
Single-night rodeo in the outdoor stadium at the Weber County fairgrounds, August 5, 2026. Held each year.
Ogden, UT Official event details - Weber County Fair 4-H Indoor Exhibits
Kindergarten through grade 12 4-H members enter indoor exhibits, with check-in the Monday before and premium money paid at the Golden Spike Arena. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 5 to 8, 2026.
Ogden, UT | 801-399-8202 Official event details - Kane County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 6-9, 2026. The Kane County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Kane County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
UT | Organizer: Utah 4-H and county fair board Official event details - Summit County Fair PRCA Rodeo
Three nights of PRCA rodeo in Coalville, most recently Aug. 6-8, 2026 at 8 p.m., with bull riding, saddle bronc, barrel racing, roping and steer wrestling. Adult tickets were $15.
202 E. Park Road, Coalville, UT Official event details - Kane County Fair Scholarship Livestock Auction
Jeff Wood Memorial Scholarship hog auction at the Kane County Fair and Livestock Show, where six rounds of bidding raised $1,000 each for scholarships to Valley and Kanab high school students. Held each year; the most recent fair dates were August 6 to 9, 2026.
Kanab, UT Official event details - Duchesne County Fair Demolition Derby
Thursday-night demolition derby at the Duchesne County Fair Grounds, with gates at 5 pm. Held each year; the most recent date was August 6, 2026.
60 W 400 S, Duchesne, UT, Duchesne, UT Official event details - Duchesne County Fair Rodeo
Two-night rodeo closing Duchesne County Fair week, with gates at 5 pm and events at 7 pm. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 7 and 8, 2026.
60 W 400 S, Duchesne, UT, Duchesne, UT Official event details - Juab County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 1-8, 2026. The Juab County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Juab County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
UT | Organizer: Utah 4-H and county fair board Official event details - San Juan County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 1-8, 2026. The San Juan County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for San Juan County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
- Summit County Fair Demolition Derby
Opening-night demolition derby at the Coalville fairgrounds, most recently Aug. 1, 2026 at 7 p.m., with a Kids Power Wheels Demo Derby during intermission. Adult tickets were $24.
202 E. Park Road, Coalville, UT Official event details - Rich County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 10-15, 2026. The Rich County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Rich County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
UT | Organizer: Utah 4-H and county fair board Official event details - Wayne County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 10-15, 2026. The Wayne County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Wayne County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
UT | Organizer: Utah 4-H and county fair board Official event details - Beat the Beast Bull Riders Tour at Wayne County Fair
Thursday-night bull riding at the Wayne County Fair, most recently Aug. 13, 2026 at 7 p.m. for $15, preceded by the fair rodeo branding at 6 p.m.
Bicknell, UT Official event details - Wayne County Fair 4-H Livestock Auction
Friday evening 4-H livestock auction closing out the youth shows at the Wayne County Fair; the most recent was Aug. 14, 2026 at 5:30 p.m., after 4-H beef, goat, sheep, swine and rabbit shows.
Bicknell, UT Official event details - Uintah County Fair
Held each year in Vernal; the most recent dates were August 19-22, 2026. The Uintah County Fair draws Ashley Valley families for livestock, 4-H and open-class exhibits.
300 E 200 S, Vernal, UT, Vernal, UT 84078 Official event details - Beaver County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 20-22, 2026. The Beaver County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Beaver County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
UT | Organizer: Utah 4-H and county fair board Official event details - Millard County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 21-22, 2026. The Millard County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Millard County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
UT | Organizer: Utah 4-H and county fair board Official event details - Beaver County Fair Rodeo
Friday-night rodeo at the Beaver County Fair in Minersville, expected to draw 1,000 to 1,500 people and opening with bull riding. Held each year; the most recent date was August 21, 2026.
Minersville, UT Official event details - Box Elder County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 23-29, 2026. The Box Elder County Fair features 4-H and open-class exhibits for Box Elder County residents; check the county USU Extension office for entry details.
Plus 27 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Utah directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.