General County Fair Information

Mark your calendars: the 2026 Sarasota County Fair runs March 13-22! With a patriotic ring, the theme of this year’s fair is “Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday: 1776-2026.”

If you’re excited to participate as soon as possible, the fair opens 4 p.m. Friday, March 13! Each day, you can find schedules posted online to ensure you are in the know of all the exciting events happening. Please always check the fair website for any current updates – www.sarasotafair.com/

On March 16, there’s a $2 admission fee and the gates will open at 2 p.m.

Workday at the Fair

Workday is scheduled for March 7. All 4-H youth exhibiting at the fair are expected to volunteer to help with setup and decoration of the barns, starting at 8 a.m.

Pick up Passes

Exhibitors can pick up their badges and passes from the fair office 8 a.m. to noon March 7.

If you cannot pick up your passes on the assigned day, feel free to visit the office during regular hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdayx except Wednesday, when the office is closed.

4-H Showcase at the Mini Building

Any 4-H youth interested in showcasing their projects in the mini-building at fair, please visit srq4hshowcase26.4honline.com/#/public/ins_j/evt_43q by Feb. 13.

For more information: sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/4-h-youth-development/4-h-youth-development/4-h-record-and-project-books/

Swine Exhibitors (Requirement for Auction)

Attention swine exhibitors: Please plan to arrive early. All exhibitors must be in line by 6 p.m. The cost to the exhibitor is $10. NOTE: All swine entered into the fair must be bled in order to be auctioned. Bleeding will take place 4-6 p.m. Feb. 23 at the fairgrounds.

Barn Work Shifts (Large Animal Exhibitors)

All exhibitors showing a large animal at the Sarasota County Fair are required to work one or two barn shifts. If you are showing two or more animals, you will be required to work two barn shifts.

Scheduling will occur Feb. 21-28. To schedule your shifts, please call Stacy McClain at 941-921-9417 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please leave your name and a contact number, and your call will be returned in the order it was received. If you have a preferred date and time, feel free to include that, as well, and coordinators will check availability. Please note that sharing a preference does not guarantee that shift will be available. If you do not call by Feb. 28, a work shift (or shifts) will be assigned to you. Calling earlier increases the chance of receiving your preferred shift. Also, please remember that you cannot sign up for a work shift on the night your animal shows or on auction night if your animal is selling. Thank you!

Parents are strongly encouraged to help supervise during work shifts, especially with younger children under the age of 12.

Work shifts are as follows

Monday through Thursday
9 a.m. to noon
Noon to 3:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Fridays
7 a.m. to noon
9 a.m. to noon
Noon to 3:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays
8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Barn Hours, Safety, and Exhibitor Reminders

• The barn will open at 7 a.m. for feeding and cleaning your animal’s area. Please remember that exhibitors are responsible for keeping the area around their animal clean.
• Closed-toe shoes or boots are required in the barn complex at all times. Crocs or similar style footwear is not permitted. This rule applies to all exhibitors and parents.
• There will be a mandatory exhibitor and parent meeting in the cattle area one hour before the shows. At that time, an armband will be given to the exhibitor and one parent assistant; all others will need to exit the barn. A swine meeting will be held in the swine barn.
• Only the exhibitor and one assistant (legal guardian, immediate family member, or a parent-approved sibling) approved by the Livestock Committee or Fair Management may assist the exhibitor.
• Clipping is not permitted on the fairgrounds. In addition, no grooming materials may be applied to the animal. All animals must be washed, cleaned, and dried without the use of any grooming materials or aids.
• This is a “blow-and-go” show. The use of a blower, brush, and/or scotch comb is encouraged. Animals will be checked in the staging area, and animals that do not pass the check may not be allowed to enter the ring.
• Finally, please be sure to read your rule book carefully! There have been changes you’ll want to be aware of! Visit: www.sarasotafair.com/p/getconnected/rule-book.

Thank you, and have fun!

Fair Auction Information

If you are an exhibiting items in the fair, please read this new update carefully! Exhibitors will now be required to fill out W-9 forms to receive a check moving forward. Also, a 1099 will be issued for the end of the calendar year. Depending on the age of the child exhibiting, a parent/guardian will need to sign for them. Parents/exhibitors should check with their accountant or financial advisor for filing requirements. W-9s can be picked up in the fair office or downloaded at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf.

Elephant Ear Booth

Sarasota County 4-H Foundation needs your help! It is a Sarasota County Fair tradition to help the foundation raise 4-H funds by volunteering with the elephant ear booth throughout Fair. Youth volunteers should be at least 13 years-old. Youth that have received event scholarships or other support should be giving back and volunteering. To sign up, please contact Ms. Annette to sign up 941-928-8213.

Anthem, Pledge, Prayer, and Ribbons

Please contact Tina Thomas at srqfair2019@gmail.com if you are interested in singing, saying the pledge or prayer, or handing out ribbons and trophies at any of the competitions. You may also sign up for these on Workday at the Fair (March 7).

Events

To view the schedule of events and fair features (such as whip cracking, obstacle courses, and roping contests), visit www.sarasotafair.com/events/2026/wwwsarasotafaircom.

0