The countdown to fairtime is on! With summer underway, the 2026 Wyoming State Fair is quickly approaching, and August will be here before we know it. Here at the fairgrounds, preparations are in full swing as our team works to make sure everything is ready to celebrate another incredible year of Wyoming agriculture, youth, and tradition.

In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find important reminders, helpful tips, and key updates to help you stay on track as fairtime gets closer. Whether you’re finalizing entries, checking schedules, or preparing for your trip to Douglas, we hope this information helps make the road to fairtime a little smoother. We look forward to welcoming you to the Wyoming State Fair and celebrating all of your hard work this August!

Animal Health Forms

One of the highlights of the Wyoming State Fair is seeing the outstanding livestock and animal projects exhibited by youth and open exhibitors from across the region. With so many animals gathered in one place, maintaining a healthy environment for all is a shared responsibility.

All exhibitors showing animals at the Wyoming State Fair must submit a completed WSF Health Form listing each animal's identification and signed by an accredited veterinarian. Health forms are valid for 14 days from the date of the veterinarian's signature. Information regarding health requirements, brand inspections, and the required forms can be found at the link below.

Youth exhibitors must submit their completed paperwork before unloading animals. Open exhibitors should provide their health forms to their species superintendent prior to unloading or stalling. Thank you for helping us protect the health and well-being of all animals exhibited at the Wyoming State Fair.

2026 HEALTH FORM

Drug Testing

As a reminder, the Wyoming State Fair will once again conduct drug testing of market animals to support good animal husbandry practices and fair competition. The top five overall placing market animals in the goat, swine, sheep, and cattle market shows will be tested. Additional random testing may be conducted at the discretion of the Wyoming State Fair.

Every market animal exhibited at the Wyoming State Fair must have a completed Drug Declaration Form on file. Exhibitors are encouraged to print the form now and complete it throughout the project term as medications, treatments, and other animal health information are recorded. Keeping the form up to date as you care for your animal can make fair week much easier and help ensure information is complete and accurate.

For more information about the testing program and what exhibitors can expect, please review the FAQ and resources available below.

Completed Drug Declaration Forms must be submitted to the Exhibitor Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 11, 2026.

DRUG TESTING

DRUG DECLARATION

America 250 - Red, White and Vroom

Deck out your ride in red, white, and blue! Exhibitors and fairgoers with a 2026 golf cart pass are invited to show off their patriotic spirit by transforming their golf carts into rolling displays of Americana.

Participants will line up for the Golf Cart Procession and Judging on Tuesday, August 11, at 1:30 PM, with lineup beginning at 1:00 PM. The winning entry will receive a complimentary golf cart pass for the 2027 Wyoming State Fair.

To participate, exhibitors must have a 2026 golf cart pass, which is purchased on the fairgrounds during fair week. Registration details and additional contest information will be provided upon arrival. For now, start gathering your ideas and get ready to roll into fairtime in patriotic style!

Online Entry and RV Reservations

July 1 marks an important date on the Wyoming State Fair calendar. Online entries for Open Class exhibits and RV campsite reservations will both open on July 1.

Open Class exhibitors are encouraged to take advantage of the online entry system, but it is not required. Livestock exhibitors may still submit entries by mail, while static exhibit entries may be mailed or brought to the fairgrounds when exhibits are delivered.

Those planning to stay on the fairgrounds during the Fair can also begin reserving RV campsites on July 1. Please remember that oversized campers that will not fit within a single campsite must reserve two back-to-back spaces to accommodate their setup.

Whether you're entering exhibits, reserving a campsite, or both, making your plans early can help ensure a smooth and successful fair experience.

New: Best of the Barns Herdsmanship Contest

It's time to start dusting off your boots and thinking about how your county can put its best foot forward at the Wyoming State Fair.

New for 2026, counties exhibiting in the cattle, sheep, swine, and goat barns will have the opportunity to compete in a Herdsmanship Competition. The program is designed to recognize the hard work exhibitors put into maintaining attractive, educational, and welcoming livestock exhibits while promoting excellent animal care and husbandry practices.

The livestock barns are among the most visited areas of the fairgrounds, giving exhibitors a unique opportunity to share agriculture's story with fair guests from across Wyoming and beyond. Clean aisles, well-cared-for animals, informative displays, and county pride all help create a positive experience for visitors.

Awards will be presented to the top county in each species, along with an overall Sweepstakes Herdsmanship Champion. Winning counties won't just earn bragging rights, they'll also receive valuable fairtime rewards like first pick of pens for the next year’s fair! Additional details and judging information will be shared as fair season approaches, so start gathering ideas and preparing your county's barn area for a little friendly competition. Watch the July and August newsletters and the WSF Exhibitor Facebook page for more details.

Barn Opening Times

We know our livestock exhibitors are always eager to get into the barns and set up pens and tack before bringing in their animal exhibits on Monday. All major species barns (beef, sheep, swine, and goat) will open at 1 PM on Sunday for exhibitor setup.

For exhibitors who need to make multiple trips before the barns open, the lean-to on the west side of the Dairy Barn will be available for tack storage beginning Saturday, August 8, at 8 AM Please note that this is a leave-at-your-own-risk storage area.

Remember, pens and stalls are assigned by the superintendents. Items placed in pens or stalls before assignments are made do not reserve that space and will be removed.

We can't wait to see the barns filled with exhibitors, animals, and all the excitement that comes with fair week. We are looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Supporting Excellence in the Show Ring

The Wyoming State Fair is excited to continue enhanced payouts for the Top Five Market Animals and Top Three Youth Breeding Beef & Swine exhibitors in 2026. These additional premiums help recognize the hard work, dedication, and achievement of Wyoming youth in the show ring.

These programs are made possible through the support of sponsors who believe in investing in the future of Wyoming agriculture. Payouts are determined by funds raised so if you are interested in contributing, please contact Ahnya Ivie-Moody at ahnya.ivie@wyo.gov