Youth Livestock Shows

Welcome to the Swain County Youth Livestock Show webpage! This year, we are excited to host a two-part livestock show with Poultry, Rabbits, Market Steer and Beef Heifer on Friday night and Market Lamb, Market Goat, and Breeding Doe Show on Saturday. See below for specific information and details.
Online Livestock Show Entries for 2026 will be via SHOWMAN 

Completed online entries via SHOWMAN must be received by Friday, August 14, 2026. All requested information must be completed for an entry to be considered official. Entries will be received until the entry deadline.
General Rules and Regulations
The Swain County Fair follows the rules and regulations set forth by the Catawba Valley Youth Showmanship Circuit for the Livestock Shows. Only persons 21 year of age and younger (as of January 1, 2026) are eligible to compete in Swain County Livestock Shows. 

Exhibitors must have “cared for” all animals at least 30 days prior to the date of the show.

Exhibitors must provide food and water for their animal exhibits and keep their animals area clean and presentable at all times. As well as clean up their area at the conclusion of the show and dispose of any shavings or manure before leaving the fairgrounds.
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Please be prepared to show off the trailer. Barn space is limited as well as water and electricity. Please bring your own generator. Your area will need to be cleared to leave by show staff before exiting the fair.

Animals will be released after the completion of each show. There will be no removal of animals while the shows are in progress. Poultry and Rabbit exhibits must remain in place the duration of the fair (Friday and Saturday). Any exhibitor removing animals without official release or before release time will forfeit any prize monies and/or awards.

Any exhibitor using abusive or excessive force with their animal will be asked to leave the fairground and forfeit any premium money or awards.

​The judge’s decisions are final.
Overall Fair Schedule (TBD)
Friday, August 21 | 3 PM - 9 PM
(Entertainment: Battle of the Bands 6 PM ~ 9 PM)
Saturday, August 22 | 11 AM - 6 PM
(Entertainment - Main Stage: Headliner Concert 1:00/1:30 PM - 2:30 PM)
2026 Livestock Show Specifics (TBD/Subject to Change)
​Please be prepared to show off the trailer. Barn space is limited as well as water and electricity. Please bring your own generator. Your area will need to be cleared to leave by show staff before exiting the fair.
Friday, August 21, 2026
All Breeds Poultry Show*
  • Check-in:  1:00 PM
  • Judging:  2:00 PM
  • Poultry Competition Entry Form 
All Breeds Rabbit Show*
  • Check-in:  1:00 PM
  • Judging:  2:00 PM
  • Rabbit Competition Entry Form 
*Poultry and Rabbits will be displayed beginning Friday, August 21 at 3:00 PM until Saturday, August 22 at 6:00 PM
​All Breeds Market Steer Show
  • Check-in/Weigh-in:  2:30 PM
  • Show:  ~ 3:00 PM
All Breeds Beef Heifer Show
  • Check-in:  2:30 PM
  • Show:  Immediately following conclusion of Market Steer Show
  • Cattle Showmanship to follow conformation

Saturday, August 22, 2026
All Breeds Market Lamb Show
  • Check-in/Weigh-in:  10:00 AM
  • Show: ~ 11:30 AM
  • Lamb Showmanship to follow conformation
All Breeds Market Goat
  • Check-in/Weigh-in:  2:30 PM
  • Show:  3:30 PM
Breeding Doe Show
  • Check-in/Weigh-in:  2:30 PM
  • Show:  Immediately following conclusion of Market Goat Show​
  • Overall Goat Showmanship to follow Breeding Doe conformation

Thanks to our Youth Livestock Show Sponsor

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Kendra Fortner, Extension Agent Agriculture-Livestock
[email protected]
(828) 488-3848

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