The 2026 Southeastern Youth Fair will run Tuesday, February 17 thru Saturday, February 28, bringing several days of livestock shows, youth competitions, and agricultural events to the fairgrounds. Livestock competitions and educational programming continue into the following week, including dairy shows, poultry contests, and youth skill-based competitions, leading into the fair’s sales period. A few highlights include:
Friday, Feb. 20
Livestock competition gets into full swing with both the lamb show and goat show scheduled for the day, drawing exhibitors and families into the show rings early.
Saturday, Feb. 21
One of the fair’s busiest days features the dog skill-a-thon, adaptive goat show, rabbit judging, and the beef heifer weigh-in. The day wraps up with the annual barn dance, a long-standing Youth Fair tradition.
Sunday, Feb. 22
Beef exhibitors take the spotlight during the beef heifer show. The day also includes the chicken and rabbit skill-a-thon events, continuing the fair’s focus on youth education and animal care.
Monday, Feb. 23
Steer exhibitors take center stage with the steer show, marking another major livestock highlight of the week.
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Attention shifts briefly from the show ring to equipment skills with the tractor driving contest, a popular event that tests precision and safety.
Thursday, Feb. 26
Youth exhibitors showcase communication skills during the speech contest, emphasizing the educational side of the fair beyond livestock competition.
Friday, Feb. 27
Swine exhibitors step into the ring for swine showmanship and the swine show. Awards are also presented for the chicken and rabbit shows.
Saturday, Feb. 28
The week closes with the horse show and the swine auction, one of the fair’s major sales events supporting youth exhibitors.
