November News
2026 Junior Show Rules & Schedule Now Available
Rules for the 2026 Junior Livestock Show of Spokane are now available HERE. Please read rules in full, with special note of the following:
All goats to be born after January 1, 2025 and maximum market goat weight is 125 pounds.
Watch for more on the NEW Food Products & Processing Contest!
The 2026 Show Schedule is also available HERE. Please take note of the following:
NEW 2026 show days: Haul in April 28 (Tuesday), Educational and contest opportunities - April 29 (Wednesday), Market/Breed Show - April 30 (Thursday), Showmanship - May 1 (Friday), Market Sale - May 2 (Saturday). Please review the schedule in full.
Upcoming Junior Show Dates, 2026 Title Sponsors announced
Annual Jr Show Benefit Auction
February 21, 2026
Spokane County Fair & Expo Center
91st Annual Junior Livestock Show of Spokane
April 29-May 2, 2026
Spokane County Fair & Expo Center
Please contact the office with any questions by calling 509-535-6737 or email lori@juniorshow.org
We are beyond proud and ecstatic to announce the following: Returning as Title Sponsors of the 2026 Junior Livestock Show of Spokane are The Duke & Ruth Fette Trust and the Robert V Baker Foundation. Please join us in thanking them for their continued support of youth in agriculture!
Junior Show tops WA State Fairs Association contests
At the recent Washington State Fairs Convention, Junior Show participated in the following: website and photo contests.
Junior Show's website (juniorshow.org) recently went through a refresh and was updated for the upcoming year. It was named a winner of WSFA's website contest based on: navigability and organization; overall appearance and visual impact; use of graphics and effects; consistency of theme and branding.
Junior Show also had winners in all three photo categories: animals, kids, and special interest. Selected photos are below.
Thank you to our partners: Sunrise Livestock Services and Cory Talk for helping us shine online and in pictures!
The Junior Livestock Show of Spokane is proud to continue the tradition of our Carcass Barrow Contest. The time is drawing near to schedule the preliminary weighing of carcass entries. Any youth interested in the program are to schedule a weigh day between January 10 and January 31, 2026. If you have questions about the program, please contact the Superintendent Kelli Weber at 509-338-5900.
The full rules and details of the Carcass Barrow Contest can be found HERE.
Advertising deadline is near
Calling all farms, businesses, breeders, youth and community organizations, and more! Here's your chance to leave your mark with fellow Junior Show enthusiasts. The new rate sheets are available HERE.
Junior Show's annual publication is in the works and we welcome return and new advertisers! The 60+ page full-color booklet is direct mailed to over 2,000 households across the nation, made available at trade shows, and provided to sponsors upon request. They will contain highlights from the 2025 show, rules and updates for 2026, exhibitor features, and fun facts about the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane!
To reserve your ad space, or to be added to our mailing list, please email lori@juniorshow.org. Questions may also be directed to Lori Williams by calling 509-535-6737.
Catching up with Junior Show Ambassador Stella Nelson
Growing up, the Latah County Fair was one of the most exciting times of the year. It was more than a week of livestock shows, fair food, and ribbons — it was where my passion for agriculture and community first began. For as long as I can remember, I have been surrounded by the sights and sounds of the fairgrounds: the hum of livestock fans, the laughter of exhibitors, and the shared excitement of showing animals alongside friends. When I was offered the opportunity to complete a ten-day internship in the fair office, I immediately said yes. It was my chance to see what really went into running the event that had meant so much to me growing up.
During my internship at the Latah County Fair, I worked in nearly every part of fair operations. My main tasks included data entry, ticket sales, and general office support. I spent hours entering exhibitor information, organizing registration files, and helping ensure results were correctly recorded in the fair’s database. This required strong attention to detail and patience — skills I’ve developed through years of FFA competitions and livestock management. I also helped sell tickets at the front office, greeting visitors, answering questions, and managing cash sales. Each day, I interacted with dozens of community members, from young exhibitors showing for the first time to long-time volunteers who had been part of the fair for decades. These interactions taught me how important communication and customer service are to keeping community events welcoming and organized.
Beyond office work, I helped with a variety of tasks around the fairgrounds — setting up show rings, helping with show backgrounds, and assisting with livestock prizes. No two days were ever the same. I had to adapt quickly, think on my feet, and stay organized as new challenges arose. My leadership experience as Stanwood FFA Vice President and my background in Agricultural Sales and Communications competitions helped me handle these situations professionally and confidently. I learned how to work efficiently in a team setting while also taking initiative when something needed to be done. One of the most meaningful parts of this internship was seeing how all the different departments — livestock, vendors, judges, sponsors, and exhibitors — come together to create one cohesive event. I gained a deep appreciation for the staff and volunteers who dedicate months of planning to make just a few days of fair week run smoothly. Having been on the exhibitor side for years, it was inspiring to now be part of the team behind the scenes. It showed me how much effort it takes to create opportunities for youth in agriculture and reminded me why I love this industry so much.
This internship also connected directly to my current role as a Spokane Junior Livestock Show Ambassador. In both positions, I act as a bridge between youth exhibitors, agricultural organizations, and the public. As an ambassador, I promote agricultural education, mentor younger exhibitors, and represent the values of hard work and integrity reflected in the livestock industry. My time at the Latah County Fair strengthened these skills in real-world ways. Whether I was helping an exhibitor find where to put their exhibit or answering questions from fair visitors, I was practicing the same leadership, communication, and professionalism that I strive to model as an ambassador.
Working at the fair also deepened my understanding of community involvement. I saw firsthand how agricultural events bring people together — families, businesses, schools, and local organizations all working toward a shared goal. The Latah County Fair, much like the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane, isn’t just an event; it’s a celebration of rural life, youth development, and hard-earned success. Being trusted with responsibilities in the fair office allowed me to take part in something bigger than myself and contribute to a tradition that shaped who I am today. Looking back, my ten days at the Latah County Fair were filled with lessons that go far beyond office work. I learned how to manage time effectively under pressure, communicate clearly with both coworkers and the public, and maintain professionalism in every situation. More importantly, I learned how small details — like double-checking entries, keeping a positive attitude with guests, or helping a new exhibitor feel welcome — can make a huge impact.
This experience reaffirmed my desire to continue pursuing a career in the agricultural field, possibly in animal science or pre-medicine, where I can continue to make a difference in people’s lives and the animal industry. It showed me how leadership and service go hand in hand — that being part of agriculture means giving back, educating others, and helping the next generation succeed.
My internship at the Latah County Fair was more than just work experience; it was a chance to grow as a leader, give back to my community, and prepare for my future. From entering data and selling tickets to assisting with livestock shows and office organization, every task contributed to my understanding of how much teamwork, dedication, and heart go into making these events thrive. As both an intern and an ambassador, I now carry those lessons forward with pride, ready to continue representing the values that have shaped me since my very first fair, and I’ll continue to use these skills through my professional career.
From the Archives
Accommodations for 150 youthful live stock exhibitors who will participate in the Junior Live Stock show at the Old Union Stockyards this week have been arranged, according to Charles M. Talmadge, general manager. Deadline for entries, midnight Tuesday, will find prize beef, sheep and hogs worth $20,000 in pens, he believes. Of the 150 entries, only two are girls.
They are Frederica Miller, Amber who has entered a Shorthorn heifer, grade lamb and pigs, and Melba Kruse, Rockford, who has entered a sow and pigs and grade sheep.
A cowboy band will be sent from Tonasket and it will be the main entertainment at the Thursday evening banquet.