How Wyoming County Fairs Work
Wyoming county fairs cluster in a short, busy window from late July into early August, and most 4-H and FFA divisions are organized through the county UW Extension office. Using the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs listings for 2026, the schedule looked like this: Park County in Powell July 21-25, Sublette County in Big Piney July 22-25, Albany County in Laramie July 22 to August 1, Platte County in Wheatland July 24 to August 2, Laramie County in Cheyenne July 29 to August 8 and Lincoln County in Afton July 31 to August 8. Niobrara County's fair book runs its fair week from July 20 to August 1 in Lusk.
The Wyoming State Fair in Douglas ran August 11-15, 2026, which is why county fairs finish first. Dates move from year to year, so confirm yours with the fair office or your Extension office.
4-H, FFA and Open Class
Many Wyoming fair books combine several kinds of exhibits.
- 4-H. Teton County's 2026 fair book requires members to be enrolled in the project, attend at least 60 percent of meetings and file a fair entry by the deadline. Age divisions are Junior 8-10, Intermediate 11-13 and Senior 14-18, counted as of January 1.
- FFA. Niobrara County's 2026 fair book has a separate FFA department, and only Rawhide FFA members may enter it. A horse there can show in only one organization, 4-H or FFA.
- Open class. Niobrara allows open class entries from county residents, people who live in the county at least two months a year, active Homemakers Club members and current 4-H or Rawhide FFA members. Work must be done between the 2025 and 2026 county fairs.
Laramie County's Welcome to 4-H guide warns that 4-H and the county fair require two separate enrollments, so joining a club does not enter you in the fair.
Static Exhibits and Interview Judging
Static exhibits are things you make, grow or document: foods, sewing, photography, woodworking, gardens, posters and more. Wyoming counties judge many of them by interview.
- Teton County says interview judging is strongly encouraged and counts for 40 percent of the exhibit score, with project quality making up 60 percent. Exhibits are judged on Monday of fair and each member gets about 10 minutes with the judge.
- Niobrara County held indoor project judging at 9:00 am on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, with gardening and horticulture on Monday, July 27. Members must be in the auditorium during their club's scheduled time.
- Weston County's fair information page says every static exhibit needs a completed skill statement attached, and more detail is better for exhibits headed to state fair.
Livestock Rules to Plan Ahead
Animal exhibitors need the longest lead time. Examples from recent Wyoming fair books:
- Ownership dates. Teton County lists brand inspection for market beef by February 1 and June 1 for market swine, lamb and other animals. Niobrara lists February 1 for market cattle, May 1 for horses and dogs and June 1 for breeding cattle, feeder calves and other junior livestock. Sweetwater's 2024 book lists February 1 for market beef, May 1 for dogs and June 1 for sheep, swine, poultry, rabbits and several other species.
- Tagging. Teton County requires proof of tagging with two photos, one of the whole animal and one close-up of the tag numbers. Sweetwater's 2024 fair book required an approved 15-digit RFID ear tag on market animals.
- Quality assurance. Laramie County says YQCA is required for livestock projects and should be done by July.
- Minimum sale weights. Teton lists beef at 1,000 lb, swine at 205 lb, lamb at 100 lb and goat at 50 lb. Niobrara lists steers at 1,150 lb and heifers at 1,050 lb, with lambs at 110 to 150 lb and hogs at 220 to 285 lb. Weights differ by county, so use your own book.
- Health checks. Niobrara requires a health inspection before any animal except dogs can enter the grounds. Teton holds large livestock vet checks Wednesday at 10:00 am.
Entry Deadlines
Each county sets its own deadline, and several use online entry.
- Teton County, 2026. Entries were due Wednesday, July 1 at 11:59 pm, with no late entries accepted.
- Niobrara County, 2026. 4-H and FFA entries closed July 10 at 11:59 pm.
- Sweetwater County, 2024. Online 4-H and FFA entries were due at midnight on Sunday, July 21, with a $25 late fee.
- Weston County. Entries are made through the Fair Entry website. Its page lists July 15, 2027 as the entry deadline for a fair running July 30 to August 8, 2027.
Premiums and the Junior Livestock Sale
- Teton premiums. Exhibit projects paid $6 for grand champion down to $2 for red. Livestock showmanship, market and breeding paid $10 for grand champion and $4 for red.
- Niobrara premiums. The Danish system uses blue, red and white ribbons. Premiums are paid after the October project year end and are forfeited if projects or record books are incomplete or stalls are not cleaned.
- Selling. Teton members may sell one animal per species and no more than two 4-H animals in total, and a white ribbon cannot sell. Niobrara allows one beef, one lamb, one hog, one goat, one rabbit pen and one poultry pen per exhibitor, and grand and reserve market animals must sell.
- Commission. Niobrara charges 3 percent of the sale price plus add-on funds, and payment needs a W-9 and a thank-you note delivered to the Extension office.
Practical Tips
- Get your county's fair book the moment it posts and highlight every date.
- Your animal must be shown at the county fair to go to the State Fair, according to Niobrara's book.
- Teton County gives each animal one weigh-in and no re-weighs, so do not count on a second try.
- Ask your Extension office about the post-fair meeting if you want a say in rule changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be in 4-H to enter the fair?
Not always. Niobrara County's open class takes residents who are not in 4-H or FFA, but 4-H and FFA departments are limited to members.
Where do I find my county's fair book?
Many are posted on the county Extension page at wyoextension.org, and your Extension office can tell you where to find a copy.
What happens if I miss the entry deadline?
It depends. Teton accepted no late entries, while Sweetwater charged a $25 late fee in 2024.
Can an underweight animal be shown?
In Teton and Niobrara, underweight animals may show in feeder classes but cannot sell.
Wyoming Listings Covered by This Guide
- Uinta County Fair Queen Contest
Spring contest to select the Uinta County Fair queen who represents the fair at rodeos and parades. Held each year; the most recent date was May 23, 2026.
Evanston, WY Official event details - Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo
Natrona County fair and rodeo held in early July at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds in Casper.
- Converse County Fair
Nine-day county fair staged at Wyoming State Fair Park in Douglas, in July ahead of the state fair.
400 West Center Street, Douglas, WY 82633 Official event details - Washakie County Fair
Eight-day fair in Worland with 4-H and FFA exhibits and livestock shows. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 18-25, 2026.
Worland, WY | 307.431.6318 Official event details - Park County Fair
Five-day county fair in Powell with 4-H and FFA livestock exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 21-25, 2026.
655 E 5th St, Powell, WY 82435 | 307-754-8855 Official event details - Uinta County Fair
Ten-day Evanston fair with horse shows, 4-H and FFA exhibits, demolition derby, monster trucks, team branding and a junior livestock sale. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 23 to August 1, 2026.
- Uinta County Fair Horse Show
Two-day horse show that opens the Uinta County Fair before the 4-H and FFA exhibits come in. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 23-24, 2026.
Evanston, WY Official event details - Hot Springs County Fair
Hot Springs County Fair kicked off with shooting sports at the Bob Milek Range and a full week of events at the Thermopolis fairgrounds.
Thermopolis, WY Official event details - Niobrara County Fair
Lusk fair with open, 4-H and FFA class competitions, youth livestock shows, a ranch rodeo, a junior livestock sale and an Ag Olympics. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 24 to August 1, 2026.
Lusk, WY | 307-334-3534 Official event details - Niobrara County Fair Ranch Rodeo
Two-day ranch rodeo during the Niobrara County Fair with a trade show, evening concert on Friday, Saturday Calcutta and finals. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 24-25, 2026.
Lusk, WY Official event details - Platte County Fair
Wheatland fair with 4-H and open class exhibits entered through ShoWorks and a junior livestock sale; the 2026 theme honored America 250. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 24 to August 1, 2026.
Wheatland, WY | 307-322-7101 Official event details - Weston County Fair
Ten-day Newcastle fair with a parade, 4-H shows by species, static exhibits, a fashion revue and the junior livestock sale. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 24 to August 2, 2026.
- Campbell County Fair
The Campbell County Fair runs ten days in Gillette with fabric and fashion judging, a style show, interview judging, a mini animal show and 4-H livestock classes.
- Goshen County Fair
Goshen County Fair runs July 24 to August 2 at the fairgrounds on US Highway 26/85 in Torrington, with 4-H and FFA exhibits.
4740 US Hwy 26/85, Torrington, WY 82240 | 307-532-2525 | Organizer: Goshen County Fair Official event details - Johnson County Fair and Rodeo
Johnson County Fair covers a week of 4-H shows, dog, horse, sheep, swine, goat, rabbit, beef and poultry classes, ending with the fair rodeo.
- Uinta County Fair Monster Trucks
Monster truck show on the Sunday night of the Uinta County Fair. Held each year; the most recent date was July 26, 2026.
Evanston, WY Official event details - Niobrara County Fair 4-H Horse Show
4-H horse show opening the livestock week of the fair, with horse health checks the evening before. Held each year; the most recent date was July 27, 2026.
Lusk, WY Official event details - Weston County Fair Horse Show
Opening day 4-H horse show of fair week, with awards presented the next evening. Held each year; the most recent date was July 27, 2026.
Newcastle, WY | Organizer: Weston County 4-H Official event details - Big Horn County Fair
The Big Horn County Fair runs July 27 to August 2 at the Basin fairgrounds and includes the county junior livestock sale.
315 Holdredge, Basin, WY | 307-568-2968 | Organizer: Big Horn County Fair Official event details - Niobrara County Fair Youth Swine Show
Youth market and breeding swine show held on Tuesday evening of fair week. Held each year; the most recent date was July 28, 2026.
Lusk, WY Official event details - Niobrara County Fair Poultry and Rabbit Show
Youth poultry and rabbit show held late Tuesday morning of fair week. Held each year; the most recent date was July 28, 2026.
Lusk, WY Official event details - Sweetwater County Fair
Sweetwater County fair billed as Wyoming Big Show, with 4-H and FFA exhibits and the junior livestock auction on closing weekend. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 28 to August 1, 2026.
- Uinta County Fair Team Branding
Team branding contest where ranch crews rope, flank and brand calves against the clock during fair week. Held each year; the most recent date was July 28, 2026.
Evanston, WY Official event details - Weston County Fair Dog Show
4-H dog show with awards that evening; agility practice sessions run in the weeks before. Held each year; the most recent date was July 28, 2026.
Newcastle, WY | Organizer: Weston County 4-H Official event details - Niobrara County Fair Livestock Judging Contest
Youth livestock judging contest held on the Wednesday of fair week for Niobrara County 4-H and FFA members. Held each year; the most recent date was July 29, 2026.
Lusk, WY Official event details - Niobrara County Fair Youth Sheep Show
Youth sheep show that begins 45 minutes after the goat show finishes on Wednesday of fair week. Held each year; the most recent date was July 29, 2026.
Lusk, WY Official event details - Niobrara County Fair Youth Goat Show
Morning youth meat goat show on Wednesday of fair week, ahead of the sheep show. Held each year; the most recent date was July 29, 2026.
Lusk, WY Official event details - Niobrara County Fair Youth Dog Show
Youth dog show that starts the Niobrara County Fair livestock calendar the week before the large animal shows. Held each year; the most recent date was July 22, 2026.
Lusk, WY Official event details - Sublette County Fair
Sublette County fair with 4-H and open exhibits and the youth livestock sale. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 22-25, 2026.
10937 Highway 189, Big Piney, WY 83113 | 307-276-5373 Official event details - Uinta County Fair Junior Rodeo
Junior rodeo for young riders on the Wednesday evening of the Uinta County Fair. Held each year; the most recent date was July 29, 2026.
Evanston, WY Official event details - Weston County Fair Swine Show
Wednesday evening 4-H swine show after morning weigh-in for sheep, goats and swine. Held each year; the most recent date was July 29, 2026.
Newcastle, WY | Organizer: Weston County 4-H Official event details - Weston County Fair Rabbit Show
Morning 4-H rabbit show on Wednesday of fair week. Held each year; the most recent date was July 29, 2026.
Newcastle, WY | Organizer: Weston County 4-H Official event details - Albany County Fair
Albany County Fair runs from July 22 to August 1 at the fairgrounds on South 3rd Street in Laramie; the fair office takes questions at 307-742-3224.
3510 S. 3rd Street, Laramie, WY | 307-742-3224 | Organizer: Albany County Fair Office Official event details - Laramie County Fair
Wyoming's largest county fair, with livestock shows, rodeos, midway, ag exhibits and contests at the Event Center at Archer.
- Niobrara County Fair Youth Beef Show
Youth beef show on Thursday morning, followed that evening by the junior livestock sale. Held each year; the most recent date was July 30, 2026.
Lusk, WY Official event details - Weston County Fair Sheep and Goat Show
Thursday evening 4-H sheep and goat show at the Weston County Fair. Held each year; the most recent date was July 30, 2026.
Newcastle, WY | Organizer: Weston County 4-H Official event details - Weston County Fair Poultry Show
Morning 4-H poultry show held after check-in on the previous evening. Held each year; the most recent date was July 30, 2026.
Newcastle, WY | Organizer: Weston County 4-H Official event details - Niobrara County Fair Ag Olympics
Free-to-watch arena games for youth teams with a rules meeting at 6 PM on the last Friday of the fair. Held each year; the most recent date was July 31, 2026.
Lusk, WY Official event details - Weston County Fair Beef Show
Morning 4-H beef show on the final Friday of the fair, ahead of the round robin and the sale. Held each year; the most recent date was July 31, 2026.
Newcastle, WY | Organizer: Weston County 4-H Official event details - Lincoln County Fair
Lincoln County Fair runs more than a week with 4-H and FFA shows, PRCA rodeo, carnival and parade.
144 Washington, Afton, WY 83110 | 307-887-0204 | Organizer: Lincoln County Fair Official event details
Plus 17 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Wyoming directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.