2026 Schedule
Tuesday, July 21
Friday, July 24
4:00 PM - 11:00 PM Move In
No early arrivals of tack or cattle allowed per NYS Contract.
Wednesday, July 22
Catalogs & Exhibitor Numbers available by 11AM
1:00PM National Heifer Show
Judge: Aaron Eaton
7:00PM - Ayrshire After Dark Fun Auction
Sponsored Hospitality & Drinks Ringside
8:00AM - 11:00PM Move In
Health Chart checks upon arrival - registration paper check-in will be from 3-5PM
Showmanship Sign-Ups All Day
Saturday, July 25
9:00AM National Cow Show
Judge: Aaron Eaton
Cattle may leave at any time after showing Friday or Saturday.
Thursday, July 23
Late Arrivals by Appointment ONLY- All Cattle in Place by 10AM.
Please contact show staff ASAP for arrangements
Showmanship Sign-Ups by 10AM
11:00AM Exhibitor Meeting
2:00PM Youth Showmanship
Judge: Jenny Mills
Exhibitor Updates
Stalling & Move-In
Stall maps will be provided. Please use the space you have assigned to your string. We make every effort to accmodate all spacing needs and stalling arrangements as stated by exhibitors.
Reminders and Requirements
There are NO milking facilities in the Beef Barn, all exhibitors must bring their own milk pump and buckets if bringing cows. Milk will be disposed of behind the barn into a tanker.
MILK AND GARBAGE MUST NOT BE DISPOSED OF IN THE MANURE PIT. Garbage is to be placed in garbage cans and dumpsters, milk must be dumped into the transfer tank behind the barn.
Exhibitors failing to adhere to this rule will be disqualified, asked to leave and fined by New York State Fairgrounds and Onondaga County.
There are NO TENTS allowed in the barn or for camping per NY State Fair. This includes pop-ups.
No open flames and no gas grills allowed within the barns. Sleeping in the barn is allowed, but cannot be in a tent or enclosed space.
Camper spots are still available, please register for a camper spot with your entries on the Showman.app page. There are two areas for camping, please see the map. They are equal distance from the barn and hook-ups are shown on the map. Sites are first-come, first-serve and you can choose which site you would like as there is plenty of room.
Animal Check-In:
Animals will be checked in by show staff and our on-site veterinarian. Please have CVI (health charts) available and ready. All animals must have an RFID tag that matches their ID on the CVI and will be wanded to confirm identity.
All out of state exhibitors are still required to provide HPAI negative test results as of 6/1/26.
National Junior Show Reminders
All youth entered in the Junior Show MUST be youth/junior members of the US Ayrshire Breeders Association and entries will be checked by the ABA office prior to the show. Youth may join as a junior at the show if needed by filling out a form and paying the $20 fee. Please note, this is NOT the same as NY Ayrshire Club or NY Junior Ayrshire Club membership. Youth that are not signed up as junior members with ABA by the show will be ineligible for junior recognition and will only be entered in the Open show. Leased animals must have the appropriate paperwork on file with ABA. Alternate leadsperson forms will need to be submitted by 5PM at the latest the day before each show and must adhere to the requirements outlined in the form for ABA including the age of the leadsperson in the same group as the owner/exhibitor. Links to those forms can be found at https://www.usayrshire.com/youth-corner
Feed Store & Show Supplies
Jeremiah with Twist of Fate Spinnery will be on site. He appreciates pre-orders and has most all supplies and show equipment available, reach out to him at 860-759-9335. He will be available for sharpening services as needed for blades!
Harry Moore has beet pulp, small squares of hay and straw and some bedding available for purchase. Contact him at 315-727-0134.
Show Committee Contact Information
Diana Parker - 607-725-0437
Marlene Helms - 315-729-0341
Dr. Kathy Mahon - 607-337-8944
Toni Jacque - 413-687-7129
Kelly Wilcox - 585-322-3659
Charlie Clark - 570-479-5877
Angela Fuller - 585-322-3148
Amanda Licata - 607-437-9738
Jade Atherton - 607- 661- -664
Directions
The New York State Fairgrounds is immediately adjacent to Route 690 just West of Syracuse. It is easily accessible from the New York State Thruway (Rt. 90) from the West and East, and from Route 81, North and South. Just follow the signs to the Fairgrounds once you enter the Syracuse area.
Street address is: 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse, New York 13209
GPS coordinates are: 43.073857,-76.215708
From the West - Buffalo / Rochester Area
Take the New York State Thruway (Rt. 90 East) to Exit 39, then follow Rt. 690 East to Exit 7 and enter through Gate 2.
From the East - Albany / Utica Area
Take the New York State Thruway (Rt. 90 West) to Exit 34A, follow Rt. 481 South, then follow Rt. 690 West.
If you have cattle or a trailer, it is our recommendation that you instead travel to exit 39, then follow Rt. 690 East to Exit 7 and enter through Gate 2. The 481 corridor is not conducive to cattle trailers and is worth the extra toll in our opinion.
From the North - Watertown Area
Take Interstate 81 South into Syracuse to Exit 22. Follow Bear Street (Rt. 298) to Rt. 690 West to Exit 7 and enter through Gate 2.
From the South - Binghamton / Cortland Area
Take Interstate 81 North into Syracuse, then follow Rt. 690 West to Exit 7 and enter through Gate 2.
From the New York City / Downstate Area
Take best route to Binghamton, N.Y. then take Interstate 81 North into Syracuse, then follow Rt. 690 West to Exit 7 and enter through Gate 2.