Cochise County Arizona Fairgrounds Events

The 102nd Annual Cochise County Fair ran September 24–27, 2026, so the next big date on the calendar is the 103rd fair, expected in late September 2027. The fair association usually posts the new dates well ahead of time. Everything below covers how the grounds work, what happens there, and how to take part as a visitor, vendor, exhibitor, or 4-H and FFA family.

Overview of Cochise County Fairgrounds

Where the grounds are

The Cochise County Fairgrounds sit at 3677 N. Leslie Canyon Road, Douglas, AZ 85607. Douglas is the border city in the southeast corner of the county, next to Agua Prieta, Sonora. The county seat is Bisbee, but the fair has long been a Douglas institution, and the grounds are on the north side of town along Leslie Canyon Road. That is the same road that continues north into the Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge and on toward Rucker Canyon.

Size and layout

The fair association describes the property as about 47 acres. It has a rodeo arena, livestock barns, horse stalls, and several indoor buildings. Infield space and nearby lots have been used for overflow parking during fair week.

Who runs it

The grounds are run by the Cochise County Fair Association, a privately owned nonprofit (501(c)(3)) with a volunteer board of directors. It is not a county department. The association’s stated mission is to promote the people and products of Cochise County by giving residents a place to show their cultural heritage, economic possibilities, and the educational achievements and projects of local youth. Nikki Valenzuela is the general manager, and she grew up attending the fair. In 2024 she told a local TV reporter that the fair has outgrown its grounds.

Why it matters locally

For many families in Douglas, Pirtleville, and the Sulphur Springs Valley, this is the one weekend a year when ranchers, 4-H kids, college rodeo teams, carnival workers, and neighbors all end up in the same place. The junior livestock sale gives young exhibitors real money, and the fair keeps the county’s ranching roots in front of a crowd that includes plenty of people who have never worked cattle.

Upcoming Events at Cochise County Fairgrounds

The main event: the annual fair

The Cochise County Fair is the anchor of the calendar. It runs four days, Thursday through Sunday, in the last full week or so of September. Recent years:

• 2023: September 21–24
• 2024: the 100th anniversary fair
• 2025: September 25–28 (101st)
• 2026: September 24–27 (102nd)

Horse racing

The fairgrounds are also home to the Cochise County Horse Racing Commission. The Arizona Department of Gaming lists Cochise County as one of only two county fairs in the state that offer live racing, with a two-day meet in Douglas. Race dates are set separately from the fair, so call the fair office for the current racing schedule.

Rodeo and other events

The Cochise College rodeo team has hosted an intercollegiate rodeo at the fairgrounds during fair weekend. Visiting teams have included programs from around Arizona and New Mexico. Ranch rodeo has typically closed out the weekend on Sunday.

Outside the fair

Beyond fair week and racing, I could not find a published year-round event calendar. Gun shows, swap meets, motocross, or concerts are not something I can confirm at these grounds, so I won’t list them. For private rentals or off-season events, call the fair office at (520) 364-3819.

How to find the current schedule

The fair association posts schedules, entry rules, and updates on its official website and social media pages. The City of Douglas events calendar and the county’s events calendar also carry listings. The fair office takes calls on weekdays, and it is worth calling before you drive out, because posted office hours have changed from year to year.

Visitors interested in Cochise County Arizona Fairgrounds Events can also explore local gatherings through Apache County Arizona Fairgrounds Events. Both counties offer opportunities to discover regional traditions, enjoy seasonal activities, and find community celebrations that make exploring Arizona an enjoyable experience for families and travelers.

The County Fair Itself

Name and timing

It is formally the Cochise County Fair, numbered by year. Recent fairs have used the slogan “Cochise County May Be a Square, but Not Our County Fair,” a nod to the county’s squarish outline on the map.

Competitions and exhibits

The fair has a junior livestock program, a 4-H static building for non-livestock projects, and open exhibits. Static building entries have included rocketry and general projects. The junior livestock schedule in a recent year included:

• Small stock showmanship and breed judging
• Dairy cattle, beef, and Beef Builder shows
• Breeding and market sheep, and meat, pygmy, dairy, and pack goats
• Breeding and market swine, plus swine showmanship
• A costume contest
• A Sunday Round Robin competition and awards ceremony

Carnival and midway

A traveling carnival sets up on the grounds each year. Recent listings name Brown’s Amusements as the provider. Ride wristbands have been sold at a discount through the fair office and at the Cal-Ranch store in Sierra Vista, in recent years at roughly $25 to $30. Regular ride prices at the midway are separate. The first day has often included a buy-one-get-one wristband promotion.

Food and vendors

Listings count more than 25 food booths. During the 2024 centennial, the general manager said the fair had more than 70 vendors. Food, crafts, retail booths, and information tables all share the grounds.

Entertainment

The mainstage has featured a mix of Latin acts, country, and rock and cover bands. Friday and Saturday nights have run until midnight. The 2018 fair advertised pro bull riding, and the 100th anniversary fair brought back the fair queen tradition.

Admission and parking

Admission was $5 per person at the 2026 fair, and children five and under were free. Past fairs have run weekday promotions: $1 admission for seniors 62 and older, $1 for students, and $1 for military. Parking has been charged at $5 per vehicle in recent years. In 2022 the fair adopted a clear bag policy and a no-weapons rule. Gates have opened at 10 a.m., and Sunday hours have been shorter than the other days.

Facilities and Grounds

The association’s own description lists a rodeo arena, livestock barns, horse stalls, and multiple indoor facilities on the 47 acres. I could not find a published count of buildings, grandstand seating capacity, ADA layout, or ATM and first aid locations. If you need accessible parking or have mobility needs, call the fair office before fair week. Parking beyond the main lots uses infield and off-site space during the fair.

I also found no confirmed information on RV hookups or on-site camping. Ask the fair office, especially if you are bringing livestock or horses from out of the county.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Commercial and food vendors

Vendors apply through the fair association. Listings for the 2026 fair showed mid-July application deadlines for food and arts and crafts. Fair-week vendors should expect to carry their own insurance and meet county health requirements for food. Call (520) 364-3819 or email [email protected] to request the current vendor packet and fees.

Competitive exhibits

The fair association uses an online entry system (ShoWorks), and the official site directs exhibitors there to register. For 4-H and FFA exhibitors, enrollment and ownership deadlines come first, and these fall in the spring and early summer ahead of the September fair. The fair association’s rule book governs entries.

Contact

• Phone: (520) 364-3819
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: 3677 N. Leslie Canyon Road, Douglas, AZ 85607

Getting to Cochise County Fairgrounds

By car

From Douglas, take Leslie Canyon Road north from the north side of town. The fairgrounds are on that road at the 3677 address. Most visitors reach Douglas on U.S. 191 from I-10 or on State Route 80 from Bisbee and the Benson area. Phoenix is roughly a 3.5-hour drive.

From Sierra Vista and Bisbee

Cochise County’s other population centers sit a good drive away. Sierra Vista residents should plan a trip of about an hour or more, and the fair draws from across the county for that reason. Bisbee is on State Route 80, which leads into Douglas.

Transit and rideshare

I found no published shuttle or public transit service to the grounds during fair week. If you plan to use rideshare, set your pickup point before the event, since the grounds are outside town and demand spikes on rodeo and concert nights.

4-H and FFA at Cochise County Fairgrounds

The extension office role

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension runs the 4-H program in Cochise County. Since 2019 the fair association has worked with extension to manage exhibit entries, while the association handles the financial side of the sale. Extension publishes the 4-H rule book, project guides, and calendars, including the Beef Builder program and “Bred and Fed” forms for goats, hogs, and sheep.

FFA and other youth

FFA members from county high schools show at the fair alongside 4-H. The fair association also runs an “Other Youth” enrollment for exhibitors who are not in either program. I do not have a verified count of local 4-H clubs or a list of participating FFA chapters, so contact the Cochise County Extension office for current club information.

The junior livestock auction

The auction has been held on Saturday of fair weekend. In 2023 the small stock auction started at 9 a.m., with a buyers’ breakfast beforehand, and the large stock auction followed at 1 p.m., after a buyers’ luncheon. Anyone can register to buy. Animals sold to packers are loaded out the following Monday. Proceeds go to the young exhibitors. Interested buyers can call the fair office. During 2020 the sale went ahead privately even though the fair was canceled.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

Racing and the college rodeo are the best-documented events outside the main fair program. Beyond those, I could not confirm a regular schedule of swap meets, gun shows, motocross, or touring concerts at the grounds. Since the association rents space, check with the fair office for private rentals, club events, and fundraisers.

History of Cochise County Fairgrounds

The Cochise County Fair Association dates to 1924, and the fair has been held in Douglas for a century. The 100th anniversary fair was in 2024, and the numbering has continued since. The 95th fair, held in 2018, included pro bull riding. A few notable points in the record:

• 2019: the livestock auction moved from Sunday to Saturday, and the association took over the money side of the sale from extension.
• 2020: the 96th fair was canceled because of the pandemic. The association held a junior livestock show and sale that was closed to the public and invited buyers to sponsor the youth.
• 2024: the centennial brought back the fair queens, with more than 70 vendors.

I could not find a record of attendance milestones or famous visitors, so I haven’t claimed any.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Cochise County Fair in 2026 and 2027?

The 2026 fair ran September 24–27 at the fairgrounds in Douglas. The 2027 dates have not been announced yet. The fair has been held on a Thursday-to-Sunday schedule in late September, so expect something similar, and watch the fair association’s website and social pages.

What time does Cochise County Fairgrounds open?

During the fair, gates have opened at 10 a.m. Closing times vary by day, with Friday and Saturday running until midnight in 2025, and Sunday starting later and ending earlier. Outside fair week, call (520) 364-3819 because the grounds are not open to the public on a regular schedule.

Is there camping at Cochise County Fairgrounds?

I could not confirm RV hookups or on-site camping. Call the fair office, especially if you are traveling with horses or livestock.

How do I enter livestock in the Cochise County Fair?

Youth exhibitors enroll through Cochise County 4-H or FFA in spring, meet the ownership and tagging deadlines, and register through the fair’s online entry system. The fair association’s rule book has the details. Call extension or the fair office for the current year’s deadlines.

Are dogs allowed at Cochise County Fairgrounds?

I could not find a published pet policy. The 4-H program runs a dog show, but that is an organized event. Service animals are covered by federal law. If you want to bring a pet, call the fair office first.

Where do I park at Cochise County Fairgrounds?

Parking is on the grounds and in infield and off-site areas during the fair. In recent years it has cost $5 per vehicle. Expect the busiest lots on Friday and Saturday nights when the rodeo and mainstage run.

Who do I contact to rent Cochise County Fairgrounds?

Contact the Cochise County Fair Association at (520) 364-3819 or [email protected]. Rates and availability are set by the association.

How much does it cost to get into the Cochise County Fair?

General admission was $5 in 2026, and children five and under were free. Past fairs have included $1 days for seniors, students, and military. Parking and carnival rides cost extra, and discounted wristbands have been sold in advance.

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

Contact the fair office for the vendor application. Food and craft vendor deadlines for the 2026 fair were in mid-July, so apply early in summer for a September fair.

Where is the Cochise County Fair held?

At the Cochise County Fairgrounds, 3677 N. Leslie Canyon Road, Douglas, Arizona 85607.