Showcase your talents and become a part of the tradition by entering your projects in the Thurston County Fair! 

Open Class exhibits are available to all community members at no cost, offering a wonderful opportunity to share your skills and creativity. Read through the Exhibitor's Guide to see all the options! 

Registration opens June 1: https://thurstoncountyfair.fairentry.com

To enter your exhibit for Fair, you need to use our online system, Fair Entry: https://thurstoncountyfair.fairentry.com/Fair/SignIn/23149. 

Here is a Quick Guide to help with registration:

2026 FairEntry Registration Process.pdf

If you need assistance with Fair Entry, please contact the Fair Office at 360-786-5453. 

Open Class Exhibitor's Guide: 

Open Class Exhibitors Guide 2026.pdf

FFA Exhibitor's Guide:

FFA Exhibitor Guide 2026.pdf

4-H Animal Sciences Exhibitor's Guide:

https://extension.wsu.edu/thurston/youth/4-h-animal-sciences-exhibitor-guide/ 

4-H Still Life Exhibitor's Guide:

https://extension.wsu.edu/thurston/youth/thurston-county-fair-4-h-still-life-activities-exhibitor-guide/

2026 Exhibitor Schedule of Events: 

2026_Exhibitor_Calendar.pdf

2026 Exhibitor Schedule of Events in Organizable Format 

2026 Sortable Exhibitor Calendar.xlsx

VET CHECK ENTRY TIMES

I. General Administration & Conduct

• Authority: General administration is vested in Fair Management. Management reserves the right to amend and enforce rules for safety and well-being. All business must be conducted through the Fair Office.
• Standards: Displays must be agricultural, educational, or family-oriented.
• Behavior: Disorderly conduct, the use of controlled substances, or being under the influence of alcohol/controlled substances is grounds for immediate removal.
• Pet Policy: No pets are allowed on the grounds during the Fair, except for animals on exhibit or certified service animals.
• Smoking/Dining: Food consumption is prohibited in barns and tack areas; meals must be eaten in designated areas.
• Compliance: Violation of rules after an initial warning results in forfeiture of fees/premiums and expulsion from the Fairgrounds.

II. Site Operations & Safety

• Hours: The Fair opens at 10:00 AM. Grounds close at 10:00 PM; all non-campers must exit by 11:00 PM.
• Sleeping: Overnight sleeping is prohibited except in designated camping areas or for approved animal caretakers and security staff.
• Liability: Thurston County and Management are not responsible for loss, damage, or injury to persons or property. Participants must indemnify the County against claims arising from their acts or omissions.
• Obligations: No person may incur financial obligations against Management without prior written permission.
• Cleanliness: All exhibitors and concessionaires must keep their premises clean at all times.

III. Exhibits & Animal Care

• Registration: All exhibits must be registered via Fair Entry prior to opening day. Management may limit exhibits based on space.
• Staging: Livestock, poultry, and rabbits must be in place by 9:00 PM the day before the Fair. All booths must be ready by 10:00 AM on opening day.
• Removal: Livestock, horse, poultry and rabbits will be released Sunday night after 6pm as scheduled by the superintendents. Other exhibits may be removed at times specified in the Exhibitor’s Guide under each division. Early withdrawal is prohibited except for vet-documented emergencies. Items left 14 days post-fair become County property.
• Animal Care: Owners must provide their own tools, hay, and grain. Animals must be fed and stalls cleaned by 10:00 AM daily.
• Staffing: One adult and two exhibitors per species must be present during Fair hours.
• Control: Animals must be under the control of a capable handler. Aggressive or unsafe animals will be removed immediately.
• Vehicles: Livestock trucks and trailers are prohibited from remaining on the fairgrounds or in parking lots during the Fair.

IV. Species-Specific Requirements

• General Health: Official fair veterinarians will conduct inspections. Animals must be in show condition and free of disease/parasites.
• Cattle: Must be double-tied with acceptable halters (rope preferred). No horned animals or scurs over 1 inch.
• Sheep & Goats: Must have USDA Scrapie identification (tags/tattoos/microchips). 4-H horned animals must have tips covered.
• Poultry: Requires certification of being Pullorum-Typhoid clean (within 90 days) and a Premises ID Number. Exhibitors must certify reading Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) regulations.

V. Premiums & Judging

• Judging: All decisions are final. Communication with judges during the process is prohibited.
• Protests: Must be filed in writing within 48 hours, stating the rule violation, and accompanied by a $25.00 deposit (forfeited if the protest fails).
• Payment: Premiums under $5.00 will not be paid. Checks are mailed by the County Auditor after the Fair.
• Ribbons: Blue (1st), Red (2nd), and White (3rd). In non-competitive classes, judges may award ribbons at their discretion.
• New Classes: Follow a three-year cycle: Year 1 (Exhibition), Year 2 (Ribbon only), Year 3 (Premium eligible).

VI. Concessions & Raffles

• Contracts: Concessions require a non-transferable contract. Solicitation or vending without a contract is strictly prohibited.
• Operations: Concessionaires must work within 4 feet of their booth. Advertising is limited to the interior of the booth.
• Food Safety: Vendors must comply with health laws and may only sell approved items. Menus and prices must be submitted 30 days prior; no price changes are allowed during the Fair.
• Raffles: Limited to 12 total (4 each for 4-H, FFA, and Open Class). Must be pre-approved by the Fair Board and comply with WA State Gambling Commission rules. No animal, tobacco, weapon, or alcohol prizes.

VII. Administrative Notes

• Donations: Services or materials donated to the Fair become property of Thurston County.
• Accessibility: Disabled persons requiring assistance should contact the Fair Office at (360) 786-5453.
• Cancellations: Concession contract cancellations must be in writing by the first business day in July to avoid fee forfeiture.

Vet Check Expectations

Please come to vet check with your form completed and ready! 

•  Only bring animals to the fair that are healthy and free from any parasites. Leave any animals that become ill at home.
• Vets are checking for external parasites (lice), and communicable diseases (sore mouth, pink eye). 

• All animals will go through appropriate vet checks prior to entering fairgrounds (small animal / large animal).

  No exceptions.

• Vets may enter trailers.
  • All livestock trailers hauling animals must be accessible for vets to enter and have room to examine all animals.
  • For the safety of the vets and animals, vets will not be entering stock trailers with cattle.  Cattle will be examined from outside of the trailer. If there is a concern about a specific animal the trailer will pull up next to the Simons barn. The animal will remain in the trailer until a vet is available to examine the animal outside of the trailer.
• Please be patient. Public and animal safety is our foremost concern.

TCF Vet Check Form for web.pdf

Thurston County Fair Superintendents Standards of Excellence

I. Purpose and Core Values

As the "heart" of the Thurston County Fair, Superintendents are primary representatives of Fair Management. The purpose of these standards is to ensure departmental operations reflect the Fair’s goal of promoting agricultural, educational, and family-oriented excellence. Superintendents are expected to lead by example, and foster an environment rooted in Integrity, Safety, and Fairness.

II. Professionalism & Integrity

• Representation: Act as a courteous and competent ambassador for Thurston County. Your conduct should always reflect positively on the Fair Board and Management.
• Neutrality: Maintain a professional distance from exhibitors and judges during the evaluation process. Ensure communication with judges is handled only through official channels and that no person interferes with a judge’s deliberation.
• Honesty: Provide truthful information to the Fair Office and the public. Do not incur any financial obligations against the Fair without express permission from Management.

III. Operational Duty & Compliance

• Rule Enforcement: Familiarize yourself with and consistently enforce all General Rules and Regulations. This includes verifying that stalls are cleaned by 10:00 am, enforcing "no food in barns" and biosecurity policies, and ensuring all exhibits remain in place until the official release time.
• Departmental Oversight: Supervise the orderly check-in and check-out of exhibits. Ensure that all exhibitors have a valid exhibitor number and that animal health requirements (Vet Checks, Scrapies IDs, Pullorum testing) are strictly met before entry.
• Facility Care: Ensure your department and the surrounding premises are kept clean and hazard-free. It is important for people to be able to easily walk around in your barn. Animal departments must verify that all manure and bedding are properly pitched to aisles prior to Sunday departure.

IV. Safety & Respect

• Public Protection: Proactively identify and mitigate hazards within your department to protect the public, exhibitors, and property.
• Zero Tolerance: Enforce the Fair’s strict prohibition on the use of controlled substances, alcohol, or disorderly conduct. Report violations to Management immediately for potential expulsion.
• Respectful Environment: Treat all volunteers, exhibitors, and attendees with dignity. Bullying, intimidation, or discriminatory behavior will not be tolerated.
• Animal Welfare & Temperament: Ensure all livestock are handled safely and humanely. Superintendents have the authority and responsibility to evaluate the behavior of any animal. Animals exhibiting aggressive, uncontrollable, or overly stressed behavior that poses a risk to the public or other exhibitors must be removed from the grounds immediately.
• Behavioral Assessment: Superintendents must proactively monitor all animals within their department for temperament issues. An animal is considered "unsuited for fair" if it displays persistent aggression, creates a safety hazard during handling, or cannot be safely managed by the exhibitor.
• Removal Authority: Superintendents must not allow animals that are not suited for the fair environment to remain on the premises. If an animal is deemed a safety risk, the Superintendent shall:
  1. Direct the exhibitor to secure the animal immediately.
  2. Consult with the Barn Vet if necessary.
  3. In coordination with the Fair Manager, oversee the orderly and immediate removal of the animal from the fairgrounds.
• Public Interaction: Because the Fair is a high-traffic, public-facing event, Superintendents must ensure that animals in "petting" areas or aisle-facing stalls maintain a calm demeanor. Any animal showing signs of extreme distress or "flight" behavior should be relocated to a quiet area or sent home to prevent incidents.
• Exhibitor Capability: Superintendents shall ensure that exhibitors (particularly youth) are physically capable of controlling their animals. If an exhibitor cannot maintain control, the Superintendent must intervene to ensure the safety of the barn.

V. Animal Temperament & Public Safety

VI. Fairness & Conflict Resolution

• Impartiality: Apply project guidelines and competition rules consistently. Your primary goal is to provide a level playing field for all participants.
• Conflict of Interest: Disclose any potential conflicts of interest to Management immediately, such as having a family member competing in the department you supervise.
• Grievance Handling: Address disputes professionally. Remind exhibitors that protests of a judge’s decision must be submitted in writing to Management within 48 hours, accompanied by the required $25.00 deposit.
• Equal Treatment: In accordance with Fair policy, ensure that all individuals—whether exhibitors or the general public—are treated respectfully, equally, and fairly.

VII. Ethical Conduct & Restrictions

• Substance Policy: Remain sober while representing the Fair.
• Raffles & Awards: Ensure any departmental raffles are pre-approved by the Board and do not include prohibited prizes such as animals, tobacco, weapons, or alcohol.
• Property Rights: Remember that any materials or services donated to your department become the property of Thurston County and the Fair.
• Fair Hours: Respect the official closing times (10:00 pm). Ensure only designated personnel remain with animals after 11:00 pm.

Thurston County Fair Superintendents Standards of Excellence.pdf

RISING STAR VOLUNTEER AWARD

• This award shines a spotlight on our up-and-coming stars!
• We're looking for volunteers with 2+ years of dedication (this year counts if they're already committed!).
• They've made a real, positive impact on the fair.
• And yes, youth members can be nominated! We're looking for those who go the extra mile to help others, not just focus on their own projects.
• More than 1 winner can be named each year, so apply for as many people as you see fit to recognize!

2026 Deadline: June 2

Complete the nomination form, and send to Thomasina Cooper: Thomasina.cooper@co.thurston.wa.us

Rising Star Nomination Form.pdf

THURSTON COUNTY FAIR RAFFLE POLICY

To be in compliance with the Washington State Gambling Commission, the Thurston County Fair Board has written a policy that covers all raffles occurring during the course of the county fair. 

Each Department of the Fair can offer two unlicensed raffles to the public each year, IF the combined gross revenue from the two raffles does not exceed $5,000 in a calendar year. If it does exceed $5,000, the applicant is required to get a license from the Washington State Gambling Commission. (Washington State Gambling Commission Raffles, Page 1) 

1. The applying individual-club-organization must complete the necessary raffle form and submit no later than the May Fair Board meeting. Requests after this date will not be honored.
2. Maximum price of ticket is $100. (WAC 230-11-014).
3. Tickets must be consecutively numbered or printed with letters or symbols that don’t repeat. (Washington State Gambling Commission Raffles, Page 2)
4. Tickets must only be sold by the organization’s members. (Washington State Gambling Commission Raffles, Page 2)
5. Tickets must be paid for in full by cash, check or credit card. No IOU’s. (Washington State Gambling Commission Raffles, Page 2)
6. Tickets cannot be sold over the Internet or telephone. (Washington State Gambling Commission Raffles, Page 2)
7. Individuals under the age of 18 may sell tickets only if your organizations primary purpose is to develop youth, and at least three members of your organization, age 18 or older, supervise the raffle and a member 18 years or older manages the raffle. (WAC 230-06-010)
8. The following information must be clearly printed on each ticket OR available in writing.
   1. Cost per chance.
   2. Date, time, and location of the drawing.
   3. Name of the sponsoring organization
   4. Whether or not winners must be present for the drawing.
   5. Description of all prizes to be awarded. (WAC 230-11-015)
9. Individuals must be 18 years or older to purchase tickets. (WAC 230-11-006)
10. Liquor and firearms cannot be prizes. (WAC 230-11-065)
11. Ticket stubs from all sales must be placed into a receptacle and selected randomly to allow an equal chance of winning. (WAC 230-11-065)
12. Proceeds must be used towards your organization’s stated purpose. (Washington State Gambling Commission Raffles, Page 1)
13. Two individuals will count tickets and money and make sure they match after each day/shift and sign off that are in agreement.
14. Money should be deposited each day in a bank account (not a personal one).
15. Records must be kept with the group and a copy of the report sent to the fair board (no later than September 1^st) after the event for the following:
    1. Gross receipts
    2. Documentation of expenses
    3. Cost of prizes paid out
    4. Documentation of how the proceeds were used.(WAC 230-11-095)
16. All records must be kept for one year. (WAC 230-11-105)
17. Departments holding a raffle may sell tickets ONLY within their Department’s area.
18. Two members of the fair board will review submitted records by the January Board Meeting.
19. The raffles during the fair are restricted to:
    1. Four raffles for 4-H
    2. Four raffles for FFA
    3. Four raffles for open class.

2026 THURSTON COUNTY FAIR RAFFLE APPLICATION FORM.pdf

Raffle Report Form 2026.pdf

Instructions:
• Review your judging needs for this year’s fair.

• Confirm that the individual(s) you would like to have for judge(s) are properly qualified.
 

• Contact the individual(s) to find out if they are available and willing to judge on the day(s) and time(s) you need, and for the price the Fair can pay.
 

• After you confirm commitment from a judge, please complete the entire form below and return it to the Fair Office by the required date.
 

• Let the Judge know they should expect a confirmation letter and contract from the Fair Office by the middle of May

Judge Request Form 2026.pdf