Cheshire Fairgrounds
247 Monadnock Highway
Swanzey, NH 03446
United States
Cheshire Fair is a fun time where our 4-H youth get to showcase their hard work from the year. Members get to show their project animal, enter exhibits in the 4-H building, help out in the 4-H food booth, and take part in volunteering opportunities. Information on Cheshire Fair entries and events can be found below.
- 4-H Department Information / EZFair Registration Link / Camping & Additional Passes Form (entries due through EZFair by July 15).
- Cheshire Fair Website
- Cheshire Fair Schedule of Events
- New Hampshire 4-H Animal Requirements & Deadlines for Participating in NH 4-H Shows
- NH 4-H Qualifying and entry for ESE for Beef, Dairy, Dairy Goat, Dog,Horse, Sheep and Working Steer
Health Regulations for 2026 New Hampshire Fairs and Shows
- Cheshire County 4-H
4-H Exhibit Hall
4-H Building Setup Time - Tuesday, July 28, 2:00-8:00pm
If you need to come at a different time please email a.zuorski@unh.edu
Judging
Exhibits will be judged on Wednesday, July 29. If you would like to judge the exhibits in the 4-H Building please email the 4-H office. Exhibits must remain in place until 5:00 PM Sunday, August 2.
Request for 4-H Building Exhibit Space
To plan table spacing and get the correct number of judges, we need to know who is exhibiting in the 4-H building. In addition to member exhibits, we would like clubs to do an exhibit in the fair building to teach the public about 4-H. It can be a display promoting your club and project you have done, an educational display or a display of project work you have completed. 4-H Building Space Request Form for Club and Member Exhibit
Fair Clean Up
Wednesday, July 15 | 4pm-8pm
4-H families and clubs have an option to take on a project, that would need to be completed by July 15, or help with fair clean up on July 15. Contact Kim Hudson or Astara Zuorski if your club or family is interested in doing a project from the list below. Projects at the fairgrounds can be worked on starting June 20th.
- Painting
- Shower floors need to be painted
- Wash rack area
- Weed whacking
- Cattle barns raked from leaves and debris
- Weed trimming around all buildings
- Sweep out the 4-H Building
- Wash down the 4-H exhibit tables
Potato Disguise Contest
Disguise a potato, without cutting it, so that it appears to be something other than a potato! Dress it in a costume, add accessories, use your imagination and transform it however you want. Give your creation a name and bring it to the Fair for display! This is a people’s choice award, open 18 yrs and younger. The entry receiving the most votes (by the public) during the fair will earn special recognition and will be the “Poster Potato” for next year’s contest. All entries should be brought to the 4-H Exhibit Hall by Thursday or dropped off at the 4-H office by Wednesday.
potato disguise contest details
Horse Events
Model Animal Show Entries due July 15
Stick Horse Racing No registration needed
4-H Horse Judging Contest Register through ZSuite
4-H Gardens at the Fairgrounds
If you are a Cheshire County 4-H Club or independent member, Cheshire County 4-H is inviting you to help build and decorate your own garden bed for the Cheshire County Fair! Clubs and groups of independent members will have their own beds they can decorate with donated flowers, and create a sign so that fair-goers can admire your work! Bring your own shovels, trowels, gloves, and watering cans -- we will provide the rest. Let's show Cheshire County how we bloom and THRIVE in 4-H, making their fair experience even more beautiful and enjoyable. Email a.zuorski@unh.edu
4-H Food Booth
We are asking all 4-H families and 4-H clubs to help out at the 4-H food booth. You do not need to be enrolled in 4-H to help out. Even if your club members are not showing at the Fair, it is highly encouraged that they participate. Youth under the age of 10 can help in the food booth but must be accompanied by an adult.
*** Please fill out the Food Booth Shift Form and we will be in contact about your shift at the fair. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year that benefits all Cheshire County 4-H members and families!
2026 Cheshire Fair Food Booth Schedule
Wednesday, July 29 | Thursday, july 30 | Friday, July 31 | Saturday, Aug. 1 | Sunday, Aug. 2 | Cleanup, Aug. 3 |
Set Up Assistance. | 6:30-11amPinnacleview | 6:30-11amSwitch'n Horns | 6:30-11amColts & Fillies | 6:30-11amMechanical Madness | 9:00am-Noon |
You set time | 11am-3:30pmWestmoreland 4-H | 11am-3:30pSunbeam (help needed) | 11am-3:30pm
| 11am-3:30pmFurry Friends | |
3:30-8pmHill & Valley | 3:30-8pm
| 3:30-8pmCows R Us |
|
*Grills close at 8, clean up last half hour.
Assistants are younger 4-Hers and cloverbuds. Youth under 10 need an adult accompanying them. Split your shift up with them and rotate them through. They can make the difference in a successful shift IF they are supervised and given directions but too many at one time becomes a hindrance. You know your members best. Some younger ones who are capable can be helpful at tasks such as prepping, assisting with sandwiches, handling microwave, etc. Set them up for success. Any can be your cleaners both inside the booth and in the customer area.
Note that the extra people at stations are needed for busy meal times. The Grill and Prep stations could use two workers during this time. This could be a role for someone that can just do a part shift IF they can be there for the meal rush. They are likely not needed for Thursday.
Milk Shake Challenge
The Pinnacleview Club will be holding a Milk Shake Competition on Saturday at the Fair! This contest is open to all youth. Tables, blenders and rubber gloves are provided. For more information contact Crystal 603-756-3603 or Holly 603-445-5104.
Fence Talks
This is for both animal exhibitors and non-exhibitors! Talks and presentations can be on any topic of their choosing (animals, robotics, paper making – anything!) and will be in ½ hour timeslots. They can be either formalized presentations, action exhibits, or simple Q & A (“This is my rabbit. Come pet it and ask me questions about my 4-H project”). A $15 premium will be paid for each 1/2 hour. Email a.zuorski@unh.edu an email if your interested.
Schedule of 4-H Events at 2026 Cheshire Fair
Thursday 7/30 Friday 7/31 | |
Saturday 8/1 Sunday 8/2 | |
| Ongoing Beautiful Bovine Contest (at the cattle barns) Potato Disguise Contest (in the 4-H exhibit hall) Scavenger Hunt (throughout the fairgrounds) Fence Talks (4-H area) | |
