🗓️Your fair year at a glance

The fair is one week in September, but getting there is a ten-month project. Here’s the whole year on one page. Dates marked ~ are projected from the 2026 rules for a September 14, 2027 check-in; confirm them as the year goes on.

October – November: enroll and decide

• The new 4-H year starts October 1. Enroll or re-enroll in ZSuite.
• Decide on a species and how many animals (max two per species).
• Steer families: start shopping now. Calves are bought in late fall and winter.
• Start your record book in ZSuite with your goals and a budget.

December – February: reserve and prepare

• Reserve pigs, lambs, or goats with a breeder. Good ones sell out by February. (Where to buy)
• Build or fix your pen and shelter while the weather is cool. (See the raising and housing page for your species.)
• Steers: buy your calf, start halter breaking, get your Seasonal Pass started.
• Complete or renew your YQCA certification.
• Schedule your demonstration at a club meeting.

March: paperwork deadline

• March 15: your signed NCJL Terms & Agreement (exhibitor and parent) must be with the club leader so the leader can turn it in to the NCJLC secretary. No exceptions, or your animal won’t be tagged.
• Create your ShoWorks account at navajojlsa.fairwire.com, complete the W-9, and get ready to enter.
• April 1: the NCJLC must have the county’s full exhibitor list. Be enrolled by then.

April: steer tagging

• ~April 17: steer ownership deadline (150 days before check-in).
• Steer tagging day, set by the beef superintendent. Steers must be led from the trailer to the scale. Bring your Seasonal Pass, YQCA, and ShoWorks entry ($40).
• Small-stock families: pick up pigs, lambs, and goats now through May.

May – June: small-stock tagging

• ~May 25: market turkey ownership deadline (112 days).
• ~June 11: pig, lamb, and goat ownership deadline (95 days).
• Tagging day for pigs, lambs, and goats, typically early June, set by each superintendent. Bring paperwork. Bred & Fed forms are due at tagging.
• Complete your ShoWorks entry for every animal (a market entry per animal and a showmanship entry per species) before tagging.

June – August: the long middle

• Feed twice a day, weigh every two weeks, adjust to hit your target weight.
• Train 15–20 minutes a day. (See the learning to show page for your species.)
• Go to a pre-fair show: a SAILA show, jackpot, or the Holbrook livestock camp. This is required, and you need proof for the NCJLC.
• Update your record book every month. Take photos.
• Give your demonstration if you haven’t.
• Early August: send buyer letters to businesses and family friends.
• Get your Seasonal Pass from the Arizona Department of Agriculture for every market animal, in the exhibitor’s name.

Early September: final prep

• Follow up with buyers. Invite them to the Friday luncheon and sale.
• Slick-shear lambs and goats about 1–2 weeks out. Clip steers. Practice washing pigs.
• ~September 10 (Friday before fair): last day to buy carnival passes ($25) and extra wristbands ($15) online through ShoWorks.
• Submit your record book by the county deadline (ask the club leader).
• Pack using the packing list. Print your Seasonal Pass and YQCA certificate.
• Tell Becca Bushman (928-386-0138) if you’re camping or parking a trailer.

Fair week: September 14–19, 2027

Day	What happens
Tue Sep 14	Pen after 1 PM · Unofficial scale 3–5 · Check-in & weigh-in 5–9 PM · Mandatory meeting 6:45
Wed Sep 15	Cal Ranch lunch at noon · Open class 3–5 PM · Market turkey show 6 PM
Thu Sep 16	Market shows: goats 8 AM, lambs 10 AM, beef 1 PM, swine 4 PM, each followed by showmanship
Fri Sep 17	Adult swine showmanship 8 AM · Round Robin 9 AM · Buyer luncheon 11 AM · SALE 1 PM
Sat Sep 18	4-H Skill-a-thon 9 AM · Pick up your record book at the command trailer · Locks off pens tonight
Sun Sep 19	Clean pens and check out with your superintendent, 8–10 AM

Details for every day are on the fair week page.

After the fair

• Within two weeks: hand-written thank-you notes to your buyer, add-on donors, and your superintendent.
• Complete the original Seasonal Pass and return it to the Department of Agriculture.
• Finish your record book with the sale results and what you learned.
• Your auction check comes from the NCJLC after buyers pay, minus the sale commission and any fines.
• January: if you earned $600 or more, the NCJLC mails you a 1099 for taxes.
• Start planning next year. Champions start early.