2026 Harvest Festival Schedule of Events
All Events October 19-24, 2026 at the Longview Fairgrounds, Longview, Texas
Unless otherwise noted
OCTOBER 1, 2026
Deadline for Entries to be submitted online by County Agent/FFA Advisor as a group. See TO ENTER for online entry system information on Harvest Festival website. Group’s entry forms, cart total sheet, signed Livestock Exhibition Policy forms that haven’t been turned in, and check for entries must be postmarked or hand delivered to 904 N. 6th St. Longview, 75601 (Bodacious BBQ) by Monday, October 5, 2026.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2026
4;00 PM-“Work Day” at the Longview Fairgrounds (Set-up pens, cattle panels, rabbit show equipment, etc.) There will be a mandatory Jr Board meeting following the work day and all Jr. Board members are expected to assist at work day.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2026
6:30-8:00 a.m.- Rabbit scales open to exhibitors in the Exhibit Building at Fairgrounds
8:00 a.m.- Rabbit weigh-in/check-in/Show…release of non-sale rabbits following the Show
(One day show…No rabbit cages available)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2026
8:30-9:00 am- Broiler sift & check-in (pavilion)
(No poultry cages available. Broilers will go directly from the show ring to the truck)
9:00 am-Broiler show
10:30-11:00 am-Speech Contest check-in (Maude Cobb)
11:00 am-Speech Contest
12:00 pm- Livestock begin moving in
5:00-7:00 p.m.- Weighing & Sifting Market Swine as they are unloaded. Exhibitors are encouraged to sign-up for showmanship (no cost) by 8 pm to allow “heats” in large classes.
4:00-7:00 pm-Check-in all Home Economics entries at the Maude Cobb Activity Center
4:00-8:00 p.m.- Check in livestock entries (except Prospect Steers & Heifers) at Fairgrounds.
4:00-7:30 pm- Check in of Ag Mechanic entries at the Exhibit Building at Fairgrounds
5:30-7:30 pm- Lamb & goat weigh-in
6:00 to 8:00 pm- Check-in Market Steers
8:00 p.m.- All entries in place
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026
9:00 a.m.- Market Swine Judging
10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Home Economics Judging
12:00 p.m.- Ag Mechanics Judging (Exhibit Building)
2:00 p.m. – Public Viewing of Home Economics Divisions.
Release of non-sale swine following completion of sale order selection and pictures
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – All Home Economics entries (no edible food items will be returned) can be checked out and picked up. Entries not picked up by 5 pm will be discarded.
8:00 p.m.- Gates closed Thursday and will remain closed until after the Cattle Show Friday.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026
8:00 a.m.- Lamb Judging, followed by Meat Goat Judging
All sale lambs/goats will be moved to swine barn after sale order and pictures
8:00-9:00 a.m.- All steers will be presented for weighing and sifting under the direction of the Beef Superintendents on the scales at the north end of the Livestock Barn.
3:00 p.m.- Market Steer Judging in the Cattle Show Arena
Non sale animals should be removed from fairgrounds after the steer show
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2026
Open Heifer Show-Steer Show Jackpot, open to everyone, enter online at http://harv.fairmanager.com/ or enter morning of the show.
** HEIFER REGISTRATION PAPERS REQUIRED **
6:30 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. Prospect Steer and Heifer Check In
Release of any remaining animals (except sale animals) only after the Cattle Show concludes
8:30 a.m. Heifer Jackpot Show begins, Steer Jackpot Show begins immediately following the heifer show.
Heifer Show:
First – Eighth place… ribbons
Breed grands/reserves…TBD
Division grands/reserves…..Trophy Buckles
Supreme grand champion….Leather Director’s Chair
Supreme reserve champion….Buckle Harness
Prospect Steer Show:
First – Eighth place…ribbons
Division grands/reserves….TBD
Grand Prospect Steer…Trophy Buckle
Reserve Prospect Steer…Trophy Buckle
5:00 p.m. Buyers Dinner and exhibition of Champions at the Maude Cobb Convention Center
6:00 p.m. Sale and exhibition of Champions at the Maude Cobb Convention Center
Ag Mechanics sale projects must be picked up by the conclusion of the premium auction on Saturday, October 24, 2026
DON’T FORGET TO ATTEND
THE HARVEST FESTIVAL BUYERS DINNER AND SALE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2026
MAUDE COBB ACTIVITY CENTER
BUYERS DINNER – 5:00 P.M.
SALE – 6:00 P.M.
