LITTLE ROCK (Oct. 13, 2020) — The 2020 Arkansas State Fair will soon welcome livestock, talent and pageant competitors from across the state for 10 days of competition. The Arkansas State Fair Board announced earlier this year that aside from these two attractions, the 2020 event was being cancelled out of an abundance of caution over public health issues related to the coronavirus.
“I think it is safe to say that the 2020 State Fair is the most unique in the event’s long history,” said Doug White, Arkansas State Fair president. “Despite the unconventional nature of this year’s Arkansas State Fair, we are very pleased to host the Junior Livestock Show, State Fair Pageant and Talent competitions and their participants.
Competitors qualified for the State Fair field at county and/or regional events. In the case of pageants and talent, many also had a virtual component to their 2020 State Fair competition experience.
“Our number one priority is to put public health and safety above all other considerations,” White said. “We have implemented stringent safeguards and protocols for these events, including social distancing, wearing masks, limiting attendees and spacing of events to allow for thorough cleaning of required buildings.”
State Fair administration has developed an extensive logistics plan to limit the number of people and animals on the grounds at any given time. Attendance by the general public is not allowed and competitors’ family members are limited in number to help maintain social distancing. Masks are required in all areas and strict cleanliness in barns and competition areas will be observed.
The 2020 Arkansas State Fair runs Oct. 14-24 at the State Fairgrounds in Little Rock
JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW JUDGING SCHEDULE
2020 Arkansas State Fair
Thursday, Oct. 15
9 am Lamb Showmanship (Market & Wether Dam) Swine Barn
1 pm Jr. Wether Dam Lambs Swine Barn
3:30 pm Arkansas Bred Lambs Swine Barn
Friday, Oct. 16
9 am Market Lambs Swine Barn
Jr. Boer Goats followed by Showmanship Goat Center
2:30 pm Jr. Beef Showmanship Equestrian Center
5 pm Bred & Owned Jr. Breeding Beef Equestrian Center
Saturday, Oct. 17
9 am Jr. Non-Brahman Influenced Breeding Cattle Equestrian Center
Supreme Drives
10:30am Jr. Broilers/Commercial Poultry Poultry Barn
1 pm Goat Showmanship (Market & Wether Dam) Swine Barn
3:30 pm Jr. Wether Dam Goats Swine Barn
6 pm Arkansas Bred Wethers Swine Barn
Sunday, Oct. 18
8 am Market Goats Swine Barn
Monday, Oct. 19
8 am Jr. Breeding Sheep followed by Showmanship Goat Center
2:30 pm Market Hog Showmanship Swine Barn
Tuesday, Oct. 20
8 am Market Breed Hogs
Lightweight Crossbred Market Hogs Swine Barn
4 pm Steer and Commercial Heifer Showmanship (combined) Equestrian Center
Wednesday, Oct. 21
9 am Commercial Heifers Equestrian Center
1:30 pm Market Steers Equestrian Center
4 pm Market Hog Showmanship Swine Barn
2020 Junior Livestock Show
Continued
Thursday, Oct. 22
8 am Crossbred Market Hogs (231-280 lbs) Swine Barn
2 pm Jr. Market Rabbits Rabbit Barn
Friday, Oct. 23
8:30 am Jr. Poultry Poultry Barn
Youth Dairy Goats & Showmanship Goat Center
9 am Jr. Exhibition Breed Rabbits Rabbit Barn
(State Fair Junior Show followed by ARBA Junior Point Show)
10 am Poultry Showmanship Poultry Barn
4 pm Jr. Beef Showmanship Equestrian Center
5:30 pm* Bred & Owned Jr. Breeding Beef Equestrian Center
*Or, 30 minutes after conclusion of Jr. Beef Showmanship
Saturday, Oct. 24
8 am Breeding Swine Showmanship Swine Barn
Breeding Gilt Show
(Jr. Purebreds/Commercial Gilts/Supreme Champion Drive)
9 am Brahman Influenced Breeding Beef/Supreme Drives Equestrian Center
4 pm* Dairy Cattle (Ring A and Ring B) Equestrian Center
Supreme Champion Drive
Jr. Dairy Cattle Showmanship
*Or, immediately following Breeding Beef show
PAGEANT/TALENT SHOW SCHEDULE
2020 Arkansas State Fair
Oct. 24, 2020
10:30 a.m. State Fair Queen Finals Arkansas Building
Miss Arkansas State Fair
Junior Miss Arkansas State Fair
Ms. Arkansas State Fair
Sr. Ms. Arkansas State Fair
1:30 p.m. Talent Competition Finals Arkansas Building
Fuller Family Junior Talent Division
Coleman Family Senior Talent Division
COMPETITION NOTES:
Both events to be broadcast via Facebook Live.
Portions of the pageant/talent competition in each division were completed virtually, at an earlier date.
Pageant contestants appearing live on stage represent the top five among all county pageant winners.
Talent show winners have also won at the county level and will be vying for Grand Champion status and associated cash prize.
All told, $120,000 in scholarship and prize money will be awarded to pageant and talent winners.
