Apache County Arizona Fairgrounds Events – County Fairgrounds Events

The Apache County Fairgrounds sit on the west side of St. Johns, Arizona, the county seat, and for four days every late summer they hold the biggest crowd Apache County gathers all year. The 2026 fair ran August 26–29, so the next one is the one to plan for. This guide covers what happens at the grounds, how the fair works, how to enter or sell, and how to get there.

Overview of Apache County Fairgrounds

Location and address

The grounds are at 825 4th Street North (listed in some directories as 825 W 4th St N), St. Johns, AZ 85936. The fair association’s mailing address is P.O. Box 1047, St. Johns, AZ 85936. St. Johns is the county seat of Apache County. The county was created in 1879 and county government settled in St. Johns for good in 1882, after a few moves early on.

Coming into town on SR 61 and US 180, the fairgrounds turnoff comes just as you enter St. Johns. The town sits where US 180, US 191 and SR 61 meet, which is why the fair draws from so many directions.

Who runs it

The fair is produced by the Apache County Fair Association, a nonprofit that has also been registered as the Apache County Fair and Racing Association, Inc. The fair managers are Jennifer Frieden and Tiffany Willis. Apache County government appears among the fair’s listed sponsors, along with utilities, ranch suppliers, local contractors and other area businesses. The 4-H and FFA side is coordinated through the Apache County 4-H office, with department superintendents running each exhibit division.

How long it has been going

The fair dates to 1942. The 2026 fair was billed as the 84th annual, and the 2015 edition was called the 73rd, so the numbering has run steadily for more than a decade. It describes itself as one of the last free fairs in Arizona, with no gate charge and no parking fee.

Why it matters locally

For a county as large and thinly populated as Apache County, the fair is where ranch families, 4-H kids, church groups, quilters, gardeners and small businesses all end up in the same place. Rodeo, livestock sale, baked goods, midway: it is the one weekend when people from St. Johns, Concho, Springerville, Eagar and the surrounding ranches reliably run into each other.

Upcoming Events at Apache County Fairgrounds

The next county fair

The fair association has published its date rule: the fair runs on the two Wednesdays before Labor Day each year (Wednesday through Saturday). Labor Day 2027 falls on September 6, which points to Wednesday, August 25 through Saturday, August 28, 2027. Treat that as a projection until the fair office confirms it. The association has said it expects the late August schedule to stay in place, because its carnival company can only offer that weekend. For comparison, the 2025 fair ran August 20–23 and the 2023 fair ran August 23–26.

What else happens at the grounds

Outside fair week, the facilities around the grounds, including the St. Johns Equestrian Center next door, host horse and arena events. The St. Johns Horse Trials, an eventing competition, has been held at the equestrian center in April. A Pony Club camp has used the facility in June. Rodeo arenas, a former race track and roughly 150 stalls make it one of the better equine facilities in the White Mountains region.

Events at the grounds are listed on the fair’s Facebook page (apachefair) and website (apachecountyfair.com). Town events such as Pioneer Days and the San Juan Fiestas are part of the St. Johns calendar, but they are not necessarily held at the fairgrounds, so check each event’s location.

Renting the grounds

The fair association and the City of St. Johns both have a hand in the area. Horse-related events at the equestrian center have historically been organized with city recreation staff. For a private event, start with the fair office at (928) 551-4037 and ask which entity handles your date and building, then confirm any city involvement.

Seasonal pattern

Spring: horse trials and arena events at the equestrian center.
Early summer: youth horse camps, 4-H project enrollment and livestock tagging for fair animals.
Late August: the county fair.
Fall and winter: quiet at the fair level. Indoor and community uses depend on what the buildings are booked for.

The Apache County Fair

Dates and hours

The fair runs Wednesday through Saturday. In 2026 it ran August 26–29. Inside buildings generally open Wednesday at 11 a.m. and Thursday and Friday at 9 a.m., closing earlier on Saturday than the outdoor grounds. Outdoor and midway hours run later each evening. Confirm the 2027 hours in the fair book.

What the 2026 schedule looked like

The 2026 theme was “Stay Wild & Free — 250 Years of the American Spirit.” That year’s lineup shows how a typical fair week is built:

Wednesday: opening evening entertainment on the Anderson Stage at 6 p.m. and the carnival opening at 5 p.m.
Thursday: 4-H and FFA swine, goat, beef and lamb shows begin in the arena. Hispanic Heritage Family Fiesta at noon, chainsaw carving demonstrations through the weekend, and a band on the Anderson Stage that evening.
Friday: continued livestock shows, the Junior Ranch Rodeo at 6 p.m., Mud Boggs at 7 p.m. north of the rodeo arena, a classic-rock band on stage, and fireworks after dark.
Saturday: the Mud Run 5K starts early (registration at 7 a.m., competitive heat at 7:30, main run at 7:45), followed by the Mutt Show at 9 a.m., the Open All Breeds Horse Show at the equestrian center, the junior livestock sale at 9 a.m., the small stock auction at 1 p.m., the Special Friends barrel race at 4 p.m. and the Ranch Rodeo at 6 p.m.

Specific acts change each year. The pattern of livestock early in the week, rodeo and mud events Friday, and sale and ranch rodeo on Saturday has held steady.

Exhibits and competitions

Open-class and junior divisions cover:

Art (adult and junior)
Photography, including digital photography, which became an entry department in 2025
Creative writing
Crafts and hobbies
Education
Field crops, fruit and vegetables
Floriculture
Adult home economics: clothing, needlecraft, baked food, food preservation
Junior home economics, for ages 8 to 17
Poultry and rabbits
The Mutt Show
“Fun for Everyone” contests
4-H and FFA projects

Anything made, grown or produced between the end of last year’s fair and this year’s fair is eligible, so there is no scramble to finish a project by a spring deadline.

For 2026 the fair added a Junior Farmer Program in the Field Crops Building, a walk-through where kids pick apples, collect eggs, shear a sheep and work a garden, then spend play money at a general store. It was developed with the St. Johns FFA chapter.

Carnival and midway

A traveling carnival company supplies the rides. According to the fair association, that company has signed a five-year contract, which is the main reason the fair moved to its current dates. Rides are not covered by the free admission. For 2026, daily unlimited-ride wristbands were advertised at $27 online (plus a 99-cent fee) or $30 at the fair, and a four-day pass at $100 online (plus $1.99). Carnival rides opened at 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and at 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Prices change year to year.

Food

Outside the main building there is a row of food stands. Fry bread, funnel cakes, curly fries and fried corn are the staples. A food court operates alongside the carnival. Fair listings have counted around 15 food booths. Anyone selling food must go through the Apache County Health Department.

Entertainment

The Anderson Stage is the main stage and runs music most of the day. Past years have mixed local performers, country and classic-rock bands, a piano juggler and a World War II reenactment group. The arena handles the rodeo events and the Mud Boggs.

Admission and parking

Admission is free. Parking is free. The only regular costs are carnival wristbands, food, and anything you buy from vendors. Some third-party listings mention a charge for horse racing. Racing was not part of the 2026 program as reported, so confirm before assuming it returns.

Visitors exploring Apache County Arizona Fairgrounds Events can also discover community gatherings and seasonal celebrations through Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area Alaska Fairgrounds Events. Both locations offer opportunities to learn about local traditions, enjoy regional activities, and explore community celebrations that bring families and visitors together.

Facilities and Grounds

Buildings

The main building holds the commercial vendor booths, drawings, baked goods and crafts. Three separate buildings hold judged entries, including the Field Crops Building. The fair map, posted on the fair website each year, is the best guide to which building houses which department.

Livestock and arenas

Livestock barns and the show arena are at the center of the grounds. 4-H and FFA swine, goat, beef and lamb are shown in the arena. The rodeo arena hosts the Junior Ranch Rodeo, Ranch Rodeo and barrel racing, and the Mud Boggs run north of it. The St. Johns Equestrian Center next door adds horse stalls (about 150), a race track, additional arenas and a warm-up arena used for the open horse show.

Camping and lodging

The fair has advertised RV spaces on the grounds and asks people to reserve by calling (928) 245-1400. Nearby options include St. Johns RV Resort, about two miles away, and Lyman Lake State Park, roughly 17 miles away on US 180/191. Motels are available within about a mile of the grounds, and more lodging is in Springerville and Eagar, about 23 to 27 miles south.

Accessibility

Third-party listings describe accessible facilities throughout, but the fair has not published a detailed accessibility guide. If you need accessible parking or restroom locations, call the fair office before you come.

On-site amenities

Expect food stands, the midway, shaded building interiors, and ice sold by fair staff. Bring cash for smaller stands, sunscreen and a hat. Late August in St. Johns, at roughly 5,600 feet, means warm days and a real chance of monsoon thunderstorms.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Commercial and concession vendors

Applications for the 2026 fair closed before the fair. For 2027, watch the Vendors page on the fair website and the fair’s Facebook page. The rules in the vendor packet are worth knowing before you apply:

A certificate of insurance with a $1,000,000 liability limit is required. If you do not carry coverage, the fair’s insurer can add you to its policy for an extra $80.
Setup is the Tuesday before the fair, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Vendor vehicles must be off the grounds by 9 a.m. daily. Restocking is allowed between 7 and 9 a.m.
Booths must be staffed all fair hours and cannot come down until Saturday at 6 p.m. (inside) or 9 p.m. (outside).
You supply your own tables, chairs, extension cords, generators and water hoses. There is no Wi-Fi.
No weapons, tasers, THC products or memorabilia. No exclusive selling rights are granted.
No refunds for cancellations or no-shows.
Overnight security is provided, but the fair is not responsible for theft or damage.
Food vendors must contact the Apache County Health Department at least three weeks in advance at (928) 337-7932.

Vendor questions go to [email protected] or (928) 551-4037.

Entering competitive exhibits

Pick up or download the fair book, published each year through the White Mountain Independent and linked from the fair website. It lists divisions, lots, rules and entry times. Department superintendents are listed on the Exhibits page of the fair website. For anything not covered, call the fair office at (928) 551-4037 or email [email protected].

Getting to Apache County Fairgrounds

From the county seat

If you are already in St. Johns, the grounds are on 4th Street North on the west side of town, within about a mile of most in-town lodging.

From nearby cities

Show Low: take US 60 east, then SR 61 north through Concho to St. Johns. Allow about an hour.
Holbrook: take US 180 southeast, about 61 miles. Allow just over an hour.
Springerville and Eagar: take US 180/191 north, about 25 miles.
Gallup and Sanders area: take US 191 south, which joins SR 61 on the approach to St. Johns.

Public transportation

The fair does not advertise a shuttle or public transportation service, and rideshare service is limited in a town this size. Plan to drive. Free parking is at the grounds.

4-H and FFA at Apache County Fairgrounds

The junior program is the backbone of the fair. 4-H and FFA members show beef, sheep, swine and goats, and exhibit in categories ranging from gardening and photography to baking, sewing, shooting sports, robotics and rabbits.

Rules that have shaped the program

The posted 4-H rules have included:

Only Apache County 4-H members in good standing may exhibit.
Projects must be carried during the current club year and be the exhibitor’s own work.
Market livestock must be tagged by set deadlines.
Exhibitors need a current Livestock Quality Assurance certificate.
Record books are due before the fair.
An “Apache Bred and Fed” class recognizes animals raised in the county.
Showmanship champions from each species compete in a round-robin showmanship contest.

Some posted pages carry dates and prices from earlier years, so rely on the current fair book for deadlines, weights and premiums.

Chapters and clubs

The St. Johns FFA chapter is named in recent coverage for its Junior Farmer Program. I could not confirm a current count of 4-H clubs in the county. Ask the Apache County 4-H office.

Junior livestock sale

The sale is held Saturday morning, with the small stock auction in the afternoon (9 a.m. and 1 p.m. in 2026). Only animals that meet market standards and earn the required ribbons are sold. Local businesses, ranches and families buy the animals, and the proceeds go to the young exhibitors after the sale’s commission. Buyers should contact the fair office or the livestock committee for current sale rules.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

Rodeo and ranch events: Junior Ranch Rodeo, Ranch Rodeo and barrel racing during fair week.
Mud events: the Mud Boggs and the Mud Run 5K. Registration for the 2026 run was handled through a race registration site listed on the fair’s Mud Run page.
Horse shows: the Open All Breeds Horse Show returned in 2026 after being retired in 2025. The St. Johns Horse Trials has been held in April.
Reenactment and cultural programs: the Hispanic Heritage Family Fiesta and the World War II reenactment appeared in 2026.
Grandstand-style concerts: the fair uses the Anderson Stage rather than a large grandstand, so touring acts are limited to what the fair books.

I could not find a regular gun show, swap meet or flea market at the grounds. If one is planned, it will appear on the fair’s Facebook page.

History of Apache County Fairgrounds

The Apache County Fair started in 1942, in the middle of the Second World War, when Apache County was a ranching and farming area of a few thousand people. It started as a showcase for livestock, garden produce, canning and sewing, the same core as today. For decades the fair was held in early September. In 2015 it ran September 9–12 as the 73rd annual fair. Over the following years the carnival situation changed. After COVID-19, many carnival companies went out of business, and the fair’s current carnival offered only the late August weekend. After two trial years, it agreed to a five-year contract starting in 2026, and the fair now holds its dates two Wednesdays before Labor Day.

Attendance has been described as roughly 15,000 in fair listings and above 24,000 in a sponsorship packet for the 2023 fair, so treat any single figure with caution.

The fair’s numbering suggests a gap in the early decades, since 2026 was the 84th edition and 1942 to 2026 spans 85 years. The fair office can confirm which years were skipped and how the fair handled 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Apache County Fair in 2027?

The fair follows a “two Wednesdays before Labor Day” rule, which points to August 25–28, 2027. Confirm with the fair office at (928) 551-4037.

What time does Apache County Fairgrounds open?

Inside buildings opened at 11 a.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. Thursday through Saturday in recent years. Outdoor areas run later into the evening. The carnival opened at 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday in 2026.

Is there camping at Apache County Fairgrounds?

RV spaces have been offered on the grounds during the fair. Call (928) 245-1400 to reserve. St. Johns RV Resort and Lyman Lake State Park are nearby.

How do I enter livestock in the Apache County Fair?

4-H and FFA members enroll through the Apache County 4-H office and must meet tagging deadlines and Quality Assurance requirements. Open-class entries are listed in the fair book. Call the fair office for current deadlines.

Are dogs allowed at Apache County Fairgrounds?

The fair holds a Mutt Show and has hosted a dog show, so dogs are part of the program. The fair has not published a general policy for spectators’ pets. Call before bringing a dog, and leave pets at home in the heat.

Where do I park at Apache County Fairgrounds?

Parking is free at the grounds. Vendors must keep vehicles in the parking lot during the day except for early restocking.

Who do I contact to rent Apache County Fairgrounds?

Call the fair office at (928) 551-4037 or email [email protected], and ask whether your event falls under the fair association or the City of St. Johns’ equestrian center.

How much does it cost to get into Apache County Fair?

Admission and parking are free. Carnival wristbands, food and purchases cost extra. In 2026, daily unlimited-ride wristbands were $27 online (plus a 99-cent fee) or $30 at the fair.

How do I become a vendor at the Apache County Fair?

Email [email protected] or call (928) 551-4037, submit the application and a $1,000,000 certificate of insurance, and wait for an invoice. Food vendors must also contact the Apache County Health Department at least three weeks ahead.

Does the Apache County Fair have a rodeo?

Yes. The Junior Ranch Rodeo runs Friday evening and the Ranch Rodeo runs Saturday evening.

Contact: Apache County Fair, 825 4th N, St. Johns, AZ 85936. Phone (928) 551-4037. Email [email protected]. Website apachecountyfair.com. Facebook: apachefair.