Virginia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Virginia's fair season runs from late June into the fall, from small-town livestock shows to nine-day midway fairs, and it ends with the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell. For 4-H and FFA families, the county fair is also where a market animal is shown and often sold. Dates and rules change every year, so use the 2026 dates below as a guide to when each fair usually runs and confirm the current year with the fair or your Extension office.
2026 County Fair Dates
A 2026 Virginia fairs roundup listed these dates:
- Orange County Fair: June 24 to 27 at the county fairgrounds, with 4-H dairy cattle shows
- Madison County Fair: July 15 to 18 at the Madison Fairgrounds
- Augusta County Fair: July 21 to 25 at the Augusta Expo in Fishersville, with cattle judging and horse shows
- Albemarle County Fair: July 30 to August 1 at James Monroe's Highland
- Greene Farm and Livestock Show: July 30 to August 1, with a livestock show and sale and a 4-H poultry and rabbit show
- Louisa County Fair: July 30 to August 1 at Walton Park in Mineral
- Rockingham County Fair: August 10 to 15 at the Harrisonburg fairgrounds
- Fluvanna County Fair: August 12 to 15 at Pleasant Grove Park in Palmyra, with a 4-H animal show
- Shenandoah County Fair: August 28 to September 5 at the county fairgrounds
The Chesterfield County Fair opened August 28 and ran through September 5, 2026, its 115th year, on Courthouse Road, per WWBT coverage. For 2027, a fair listing shows the Loudoun County Fair July 20 to 24 in Leesburg, the Prince William County Fair August 13 to 21 in Manassas and the Stafford County Fair October 14 to 17.
The State Fair of Virginia
The 2026 State Fair of Virginia ran September 25 through October 4 at The Meadow Event Park, 13191 Dawn Blvd., Doswell, and draws more than 200,000 fairgoers, per the fair's press page. The 2027 fair is listed for September 24 through October 3.
The youth livestock shows are run by Virginia 4-H. In 2026 the beef, sheep, swine and meat goat shows were October 1 to 4, the second weekend of the fair, per the 2026 nomination letter.
State Fair Nomination, DNA and Tags
Showing at the state fair starts months ahead. The 2026 timeline was:
- June 23: last day to order DNA envelopes and cattle and hog EID tags
- July 1, 5 p.m.: nomination and DNA submission deadline, with hard copies postmarked and mailed to Blacksburg
- July 3: FairEntry opens
- August 17, 5 p.m.: FairEntry closes for all youth beef, sheep, swine and meat goat entries
Nomination was required for market steers and heifers, commercial and crossbred heifers, market goats and commercial does, market lambs and commercial ewes, and commercial gilts and market hogs. Registered breeding females and prospect steers and heifers did not need it. Prospects must weigh under 1,000 pounds at the state fair weigh-in. Nomination is not entry; every animal must also be entered in FairEntry. For official ID, sheep and goats needed a federally required plastic visual scrapie tag from the flock or herd of origin, and cattle and hogs needed one USDA-compliant 840 EID tag.
The Virginia 4-H state fair page, in its 2025 version, added that a nominated animal cannot be sold through a county fair or premium auction after nomination, even if it is bought back, or it becomes ineligible. It also required annual YQCA training for all youth exhibitors. Read the current page for this year's dates.
County Show Rules: One Example
Every county sets its own rules, but Shenandoah County's 2025 show and sale rules show what to expect:
- Exhibitors had to be enrolled in a county 4-H club or FFA chapter by February 1 and be at least 9 by September 30.
- Beef market animals had to be owned, managed and fed by the exhibitor from March 1; sheep, swine and goats from June 3.
- Beef was weighed and tagged March 1, and sheep, swine and goats on June 3 or 4.
- Market weights and grades applied: beef at least 1,000 pounds, sheep 90 to 155 pounds, swine 220 to 290 pounds and goats at least 60 pounds. Animals that missed them could compete only in showmanship.
- Dairy cattle needed a health certificate signed by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days of the fair.
- Youth had to hold YQCA certification before the fair.
Other counties use different dates and weights, so do not assume your fair matches these. Fair-style events are not all livestock either. King George County's 4-H county fair on September 12, 2026 offered youth competitions and workshops with free fair entry.
How to Prepare
- Call your county Extension office or FFA advisor in winter and ask for the show and sale book.
- Write down the ownership, tagging and weigh-in dates before you buy an animal.
- If you may go on to the State Fair, remember that nomination and DNA come first and a county sale can disqualify the animal afterward.
- Finish YQCA training early, and keep your record book and thank-you notes on schedule.
- Spectators: check the fair's own site for gate hours and bag rules. Chesterfield, for example, ran a clear-bag policy in 2026.
Virginia Listings Covered by This Guide
- Loudoun County Fair
Loudoun County's annual fair in Leesburg supports local 4-H youth, with animal exhibits for members aged 5 to 19, rodeos and a Friday evening livestock auction. The 2027 dates are July 20 to 24; the 90th fair ran July 21 to 25, 2026.
- Orange County Fair
Orange County's summer fair at the county fairgrounds on Old Gordonsville Road, with 4-H and FFA youth livestock tied to the fair show and sale. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 24 to 27, 2026.
14500 Old Gordonsville Rd, Orange, VA 22960 | Organizer: Orange County Fair Association Official event details - Augusta County Fair
Five-night county fair held at the Augusta Expo in Fishersville. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 21-25, 2026.
277 Expo Road, Fishersville, VA Official event details - Fauquier County Fair
Summer county fair at the Fauquier County Fairgrounds in Warrenton. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 15-18, 2026.
6209 Old Auburn Rd., Warrenton, VA 20187 Official event details - Madison County Fair
Four-day Madison County fair at the Madison Fairgrounds, with free admission for children 10 and under. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 15 to 18, 2026.
Madison, VA Official event details - Fredericksburg Agricultural Fair
Held each year at the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds; the most recent dates were July 24 to August 2, 2026. Ten days of livestock exhibits, agricultural displays, carnival rides, a tractor pull and nightly entertainment, in a fair dating to 1738.
Fredericksburg, VA Official event details - Albemarle County Fair
Three-day agricultural festival at James Monroe's Highland with livestock, home arts and agriculture exhibits, live music and historic demonstrations. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 30 to August 1, 2026.
- Louisa County Fair
Three-day county fair at Walton Park in Mineral with rides, 4-H animal shows, a livestock auction, poultry tent and exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 30 to August 1, 2026, the fair's 42nd year.
Mineral, VA Official event details - Prince William 4-H Fair Camp
Weekday morning 4-H camp at the Prince William County Fairgrounds; held each year, and the most recent dates were August 3-7, 2026.
Manassas, VA | 703-792-4536 | Organizer: Prince William 4-H Official event details - Fairfax County 4-H Fair
Held each year alongside the county carnival at Frying Pan Farm Park; the most recent 4-H Fair dates were August 1-2, 2026 (the 76th year), with farm animal shows plus horse and dog demonstrations.
2709 West Ox Road, Herndon, VA 20171 Official event details - Clarke County Fair
Week-long county fair in Berryville, Clarke County. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 9 to 15, 2026, with the fair association handling communication by email.
Berryville, VA Official event details - Amelia County Fair
Mid-August county fair at the Amelia County Fairgrounds. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug. 13-16, 2026.
- Chesterfield County Fair
Nine-day county fair on Courthouse Road with live music, pig races and midway rides; 2026 was its 115th year. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 28 to September 5, 2026.
- King George 4-H County Fair
Extension-run 4-H fair at the King George Citizen Center with youth competitions, educational demonstrations, workshops, vendors and food trucks. Held each year; the most recent date was September 12, 2026.
8076 Kings Hwy, King George, VA 22485 | Organizer: Virginia Cooperative Extension - King George Official event details - State Fair of Virginia
Ten-day state fair held each fall at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County, drawing more than 200,000 fairgoers. Held each year; the most recent dates were Sept. 25 to Oct. 4, 2026, under the theme Virginia's Best of Show.
- Virginia State Fair Junior Dairymen's Contest
Dairy knowledge and judging contest for youth during the first day of the State Fair of Virginia, run in the First Bank Show Ring. Held each year; the most recent date was Sept. 25, 2026.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - Virginia State Fair FFA Small Engines Contest
FFA-only small engines contest held in the Best in Show Tent on opening day of the State Fair of Virginia. Held each year; the most recent date was Sept. 25, 2026.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - State Fair of Virginia: Lawn Tractor Operators Contest
Held each year at the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell; the most recent date was 2026-09-25. Youth drivers demonstrate lawn tractor operating skills in the Blue Ribbon Tent on the first Friday of the State Fair of Virginia.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - State Fair of Virginia: Small Engines Contest
Held each year at the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell; the most recent date was 2026-09-25. An FFA-only contest in the Best in Show Tent where members test their small engine knowledge and repair skills.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - State Fair of Virginia: Tractor Troubleshooting Contest
Held each year at the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell; the most recent date was 2026-09-25. An FFA-only contest in which members diagnose and fix faults on tractors, held in the Best in Show Tent.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - State Fair of Virginia: Junior Dairymen's Contest
Held each year at the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell; the most recent date was 2026-09-25. Young dairy enthusiasts compete in the First Bank Show Ring, judging and handling questions in a junior dairy knowledge contest.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - State Fair of Virginia: Student Garden Judging
Held each year at the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell; the most recent date was 2026-09-25. Judges score student gardens that FFA chapters set up on the fairgrounds to show agricultural production and horticulture skills.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - Virginia State Fair Veterinary Science Contest
Veterinary science contest for Virginia students held in the Livestock Tent during State Fair week. Held each year; the most recent date was Sept. 28, 2026.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - State Fair of Virginia: Veterinary Science Contest
Held each year at the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell; the most recent date was 2026-09-28. Students test their animal health and veterinary science knowledge at the Livestock Tent on the fairgrounds.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - State Fair of Virginia: Horticulture Demonstration
Held each year at the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell; the most recent date was 2026-09-28. An FFA-only event where members give live demonstrations of horticulture techniques in the Farm Credit Pavilion.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - State Fair of Virginia: Agriscience Demonstration
Held each year at the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell; the most recent date was 2026-09-28. An FFA-only presentation event where students demonstrate agriscience projects to judges at the Farm Credit Pavilion.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - State Fair of Virginia: Career Applications in Horticulture
Held each year at the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell; the most recent date was 2026-09-28. An FFA-only contest applying horticulture knowledge to career-style tasks, held in the Farm Credit Pavilion.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - State Fair of Virginia: Agricultural Poster Submission
Held each year at the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell; the most recent date was 2026-09-28. Students submit visual posters on agricultural topics and issues for judging at the Farm Credit Pavilion.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - Virginia State Fair Junior Forester's Contest
Forestry skills contest for young Virginians, staged at the Farm Credit Pavilion on the State Fair grounds. Held each year; the most recent date was Sept. 29, 2026.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - State Fair of Virginia: Junior Forester's Contest
Held each year at the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell; the most recent date was 2026-09-29. Young competitors test forestry skills such as tree and forest management knowledge in the Farm Credit Pavilion.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - State Fair of Virginia: Forestry Field Day
Held each year at the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell; the most recent date was 2026-09-29. An FFA-only forestry day at the Farm Credit Pavilion giving members hands-on practice with forestry skills.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - State Fair of Virginia Youth Livestock Shows
Culminating Virginia youth livestock show for cattle, sheep, meat goat and swine projects, with showmanship classes, at The Meadow Event Park. Held each year; the most recent dates were Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, 2026.
- State Fair of Virginia Junior Beef Show
Beef division of the state fair youth livestock program: market beef (registered and crossbred), prospect steers and heifers, and commercial or crossbred heifers. Held each year; most recent window Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, 2026.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details - State Fair of Virginia Junior Meat Goat Show
Meat goat division of the state fair youth livestock program, with market goat classes and commercial (non-registered) doe classes. Held each year; the most recent show window was Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, 2026.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details - State Fair of Virginia Junior Sheep Show
Sheep division of the state fair youth livestock program, covering market lambs and commercial (non-registered) ewes. Held each year; the most recent show window ran Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, 2026 in Doswell.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details - State Fair of Virginia Junior Swine Show
Swine division of the state fair youth livestock program: market hogs (registered and crossbred) and commercial breeding gilts. Held each year; the most recent show window was Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, 2026.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details - Virginia State Fair Crops Contest
Crops identification and evaluation contest held in the Blue Ribbon Tent at the State Fair of Virginia. Held each year; the most recent date was Sept. 30, 2026.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - State Fair of Virginia: Middle School Ag Exploration Contest
Held each year at the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell; the most recent date was 2026-09-30. An FFA-only contest introducing middle school students to agricultural topics, held in the Blue Ribbon Tent.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details - Virginia State Fair Hippology Contest
Horse knowledge (hippology) contest held in the Blue Ribbon Tent late in the State Fair of Virginia. Held each year; the most recent date was Oct. 2, 2026.
- State Fair of Virginia: Hippology Contest
Held each year at the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell; the most recent date was 2026-10-02. Youth test their horse science knowledge in a hippology contest held in the Blue Ribbon Tent on the last Friday of the fair.
Doswell, VA | Organizer: Virginia FFA Association Official event details
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.