The 2026 Alachua County Youth Fair and Livestock Show returns on March 5-10 to the Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center in Newberry.
The week-long free event, located at 23100 W. Newberry Rd., is an educational platform for youth in Alachua County interested in agriculture. Youth will exhibit both non-livestock, livestock and FFA projects.
“The Youth Fair benefits agriculture and the local community by providing an educational opportunity for youth to learn about production agriculture,” said UF/IFAS Extension Director Cindy Sanders in a press release. “Working with livestock and other agricultural events through the Youth Fair prepares future citizens of Alachua County to be knowledgeable about agriculture production and land use. This benefits Alachua County by providing citizens the opportunity to see our 4-H & FFA youth projects.”
Visit the Alachua County Youth Fair & Livestock Show website for more information and the schedule.
For more information, contact the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office at 352-955-2402.
The event schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, March 4
- 4 – 8 p.m.: Camper Check-in
- 4 – 8 p.m.: Exhibitor Pen Set
- 9 p.m.: Gates Closed & Lights Out
Thursday, March 5
- 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.: All Beef Check-in (Bulls, Heifers, Mature Cows, Steers)
- 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.: Goat Check-in (Breeding and Market Goats)
- 9 p.m.: All Gates Closed & Lights Out
Friday, March 6
- 7 -10:30 a.m.: Swine Check-in
- 9 – 11 a.m.: Rabbit Check-in
- 11:30 a.m.: Market Animal Record Book Final Page Turn-in
- Noon: Exhibitor Meeting (Mandatory)
- 1 – 2 p.m.: Poultry Check-in
- 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.: Rabbit Judging Contest
- 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Market Goat and Breeding Goat Show and Showmanship
- 6 p.m.: Steer Bred and Owned Show/Steer Show Beef Showmanship to Follow Steer Show
- 1 hour after the last show All Gates Closed
Saturday, March 7
- 7:30 a.m.: All Dairy Goat Check-in
- 8 a.m.: Egg Check-in
- 8:30 a.m.: Dairy Goat Show All-Goat Skill-a-thon Immediately After Show
- 9 a.m.: Poultry Judging
- 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Swine area closed for wash rack schedule
- Noon: American Bred and Owned Show Beef Bred and Owned Show (Heifer/Bull/Mature Cow) Beef Show (Heifer/Bull/Mature Cow)
- 5:30 p.m.: Celebrity Show
- 6 p.m.: Swine Show Arena
- 1 hour after the last show All Gates Closed
Sunday, March 8
- 8 a.m.: Devotion
- 9 a.m.: Cattleman, Swine Sense, Breeding Goat, Market Goat and Rabbit Skill-a-thon Contests
- 10 a.m.: Poultry Showmanship/Skill-a-thon
- 10:30 a.m.: Rabbit Show/Showmanship
- Noon: 4-H Horse Show Horse
- 1 p.m.: Livestock Judging Registration
- 1:30 p.m.: Livestock Judging Contest
- 6 p.m.: Swine Showmanship
- 1 hour after the last show All Gates Closed
Monday, March 9
- 8 a.m.: School Tours Setup
- 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: School Tours
- 1 – 5 p.m.: Coupe Out | Rabbit Release | Breeding Goat Release
- 3 – 5 p.m.: Educational & Creative Exhibit Pickup & Table Setting Removal
- 5 p.m.: Awards (including Carcass Contest Results)
- 9 p.m.: All Gates Closed & Lights Out
Tuesday, March 10
- 11 a.m.: Buyers Luncheon
- 11 a.m.: Exhibitors Luncheon
- 12:30-1 p.m.: Meet and Greet for Buyers and Exhibitors
- 1 p.m.: Market Animal Sale
Wednesday, March 11
- 8 a.m.: Fair Take Down
- Before 7 p.m.: Hay Bale and Rain Barrel Removal
- Noon: All Campers Must Be Removed