Livestock Exhibitors

REVISED EXHIBITOR SCHEDULE

Plan to compete at the State Fair of Texas? The sections below contain useful information about competitions at the State Fair.

REVISED 2020 Market Week SCHEDULE

Exhibitor and Contest Handbooks
The livestock Exhibitor Handbook and the Contest Handbook includes all contest and show rules for the 2020 State Fair.

REVISED 2020 EXHIBITOR HANDBOOK

REVISED 2020 CONTEST HANDBOOK

Entry Application and Worksheets
Information on applying online and access to livestock worksheets will be updated as it becomes available at the link below.

Apply Online and Download Worksheets

FAQs
Have questions about the Fair’s livestock shows in 2020? Click the button below.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about the 2020 Livestock Shows

Why was the State Fair of Texas canceled?
After extensive consideration of the current landscape related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the health and safety of all fairgoers, staff, business partners, and the overall community, the State Fair of Texas Board of Directors has voted to cancel the 2020 State Fair of Texas.

This was an extremely tough decision. This will be the first time since World War II that the State Fair of Texas has not opened. The decision-making process has been thoughtful and extensive. With the recent increase in positive cases and hospitalizations in Dallas County we felt that this was the best decision for everyone. The Fair gathered input from fairgoers, concessionaires, commercial exhibitors, Midway operators, auto manufacturers, business partners, staff, medical experts, and government officials in contemplation of this decision. The Fair realizes the impact not holding a Fair will have on our loyal fans, valued partners, and the North Texas economy, but we must do what is right for the health and wellness of our community.

Which livestock shows/events will be offered in the revised 2020 State Fair of Texas schedule?
Barring any health orders initiated by local, state, or federal agencies due to health and safety concerns, the State Fair of Texas plans to move forward with the following schedule, while implementing all preventive measures recommended by the CDC and other relevant government and health agencies. Any additional changes or information regarding the revised 2020 livestock show will be communicated to exhibitors as soon as possible in addition to all updates being posted to BigTex.com/Livestock.

Confirmed livestock shows (as of July 17, 2020):
• Market steers
• Market barrows
• Market lambs
• Market goats
• Market broilers

Confirmed virtual youth contests (as of July 24, 2020):
• Agri-science fair
• Public Speaking
• Job Interview

Confirmed livestock shows held in conjunction with Heart O’Texas Fair & Rodeo in Waco, Texas (as of July 24, 2020):
• Youth prospect steers
• Youth breeding heifers
• Youth breeding gilts

Note: Revised schedule is subject to change pending additional shows and contests. More information will be available soon on our website, BigTex.com/livestock.

How will this year’s event look different compared to prior year’s?
In a traditional year, the Fair provides an opportunity for competitors, their families, and friends to gather from all parts of the Lone Star State. However, 2020 will look different with all mandatory health requirements in place from the CDC and additional governing bodies, and we have revised our schedule to accommodate these things. The state mandate for masks, social distancing, and all additional health and safety requirements will be enforced on the fairgrounds and while in or around barns at Fair Park. Specific to market shows, instead of an 8-day schedule, we have stretched the shows over 10 days in order to provide the opportunity for Texas youth to exhibit their projects in compliance with health regulations.

To provide as many participation opportunities as possible, we have moved three individual contests to a virtual contest. This includes the agri-science fair, public speaking, and job interview contests. More details will be coming in the following weeks.

We are partnering with the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo (HOT Fair) for one year to allow students to show breeding animals and qualify for eligibility for State Fair scholarships. The Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo will adhere to all mandatory health requirements in place from the CDC and McLennan County.

Why were these confirmed shows selected?
Unfortunately, we are not able to host all events due to a number of COVID-19-related factors – most importantly, the health and safety of all involved. We are focusing on offering youth events that we have the capability to execute safely, while still maintaining the traditional level of quality you expect from a State Fair of Texas livestock show. Additionally, the confirmed shows have been selected due to their more defined biological timelines and the time-sensitive nature of those projects. We look forward to resuming a traditional schedule of events in 2021.

What about the youth breeding shows?
The State Fair of Texas has partnered with the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo to bring forward additional opportunities where available for select breeding shows. Shows not offered in conjunction with HOT Fair will be postponed to 2021 where we plan to resume a traditional schedule. Additional information pertaining to these youth-only events will be available on our website and our social media channels when finalized.

What about Pan American or open shows?
Following the cancellation of the 2020 State Fair of Texas, the Fair remains committed to our nonprofit mission of promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement. We are focusing on offering youth events that we have the capability to execute safely, while still maintaining the traditional level of quality you expect from a State Fair of Texas livestock show.

Will the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction still occur?
Yes, our auction committee has been working diligently to continue to raise funds for Texas youth. Barring any health orders initiated by local, state, or federal agencies, or other health and safety concerns, the State Fair of Texas plans to move forward with the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction, while implementing all preventive measures recommended by the CDC and other relevant health agencies. While our maximum is never guaranteed, our committee is invigorated to support those individuals from across the state bringing their projects to the Fair. Should there be additional changes or information regarding the 2020 Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction, we will notify you as soon as possible and post all updates to BigTex.com/livestock.

When will entries open for the market shows and virtual contests at the State Fair of Texas?
Entries for the revised livestock shows will open Monday, August 3, online at Livestock.BigTex.com.

If I exhibit multiple species, can I bring them at the same time?
Unfortunately, no; With health and safety of all involved as our top priority, the State Fair will implement all preventive measures recommended by the CDC and other relevant health agencies for shows in addition to adhering to mandatory requirement. Our barn space is not large enough to allow for multiple species being held at the same time.

Will I be required to purchase admission or parking credentials to the State Fair of Texas shows? (as of July 24, 2020)
While we will not be charging for admission and parking credentials, State Fair credentials will be required in order to attend the shows, and there will only be a limited amount. This is to allow State Fair to monitor and limit guest attendance due to local, state, and federal regulations. Updated information concerning any of these regulations will be available in our exhibitor handbook, which is available on BigTex.com/Livestock.

If guest limitations are in place, will I still be able to watch the show?
The Fair plans to livestream all events for viewing. More information concerning any livestreams will be available here, on BigTex.com/livestock, in addition to our social media channels.

Will the 2020 revised livestock shows be at Fair Park in Dallas?
Our intent is to host the revised State Fair of Texas livestock market show in the livestock facilities at Fair Park as usual, unless any health orders are initiated by local, state, or federal agencies, or health and safety concerns exist that prevent us from doing so.

Our partnership shows with the HOT Fair will be held in Waco, Texas at the HOT Fairgrounds. These shows include the youth prospect steer, youth breeding heifer, and youth breeding gilt shows.

Why were only select youth contests selected for virtual competition?
The agri-science fair, public speaking, and job interview contests were chosen on the basis that they are individual competition events. We are focusing on these youth events which we have the capability to execute effectively via virtual platforms, while still maintaining the traditional level of quality you expect from a State Fair of Texas youth contest. Additionally, the confirmed contests have been selected due to the original nature of the student created content that is evaluated based on the judging criteria. We look forward to resuming a traditional schedule of events in 2021.

Why were only select youth shows selected to partner with HOT Fair?
The Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo and State Fair of Texas offer a selection of shows that overlap, however, this does not include all shows traditionally found at the State Fair of Texas. Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo was gracious enough to partner with the State Fair of Texas and allow entries into shows that currently exist and align with their schedule; therefore, the additions were limited to the select three listed above.

Where can I find additional information on the HOT Fair/SFT partnership shows?
Information will be posted as it becomes available and final at hotfair.com in addition to our website, BigTex.com/livestock.

How can I enter the HOT Fair/SFT partnership shows?
All entries will be taken through the HOT Fair online entry program. Details on the entry process will be released soon.

When is the entry period and deadline for the HOT Fair/SFT partnership shows?
In keeping with the State Fair of Texas timeline, Heart O’ Texas entries will open on Monday, August 3 and close at 11:59PM on August 25.

What about any not previously mentioned youth breeding shows?
The State Fair of Texas has partnered with the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo to present additional opportunities where available for select breeding shows. Shows not offered in conjunction with HOT Fair will be postponed to 2021 where we plan to resume a traditional schedule. Additional information pertaining to these youth-only events will be available on our website and our social media channels when finalized.

What is the entry deadline for State Fair of Texas market shows?
The online entry deadline for SFT market shows and virtual contests is Tuesday, August 25. All material must be postmarked, and additional contest requirements must be uploaded by September 1.

If I plan to exhibit multiple species at the State Fair of Texas market shows, can I bring them at the same time?
Unfortunately, no. With health and safety of all involved as our top priority, the State Fair will implement all preventive measures recommended by the CDC and other relevant health and government agencies for shows in addition to adhering to mandatory requirement. Our barn space is not large enough to allow for multiple species being held at the same time.

Will I be required to purchase admission or parking credentials for the events at the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo?
For information regarding admission or parking credentials at the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo, please visit HOTFair.com.

If I show at the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo, am I still eligible for a Big Tex Youth Livestock Scholarship?
Yes! All scholarship availability will remain constant through partnership shows. If you show at the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo through one of our partnership shows, you are still be eligible for a Big Tex Youth Livestock scholarship. For more information regarding scholarship eligibility, please visit BigTex.com/scholarship.