Are you ready for CCJLS 2026?

JACKSONVILLE – Backed with 77 years history and tradition, the March 24-28 Cherokee County Junior Livestock Show is brimming with exhibitors, projects and excitement, all at the Cherokee County Show Barn on Jacksonville’s South Loop 456.

“We’re experiencing exceptionally well growth,” said John Ellis, who this year assumes the mantle of show president. “We have close to 750 exhibitors this year.”’

From Pee-Wee to teenagers with 4-H and FFA projects – not to mention the dozens of youths participating in this year’s Exceptional Kids Show – local kids have entered livestock, shop projects, flora and fauna, foods and photos in this year’s event.

Along the way, they’re learning much more than the projects they’ve been putting time into. “That barn does so much,” he said. “I like to say that people think the barn is all about banners and blue ribbons, but to be honest with you, it’s all about developing leaders. The kids learn so many life lessons and responsibilities.”

Ellis estimates that “close to 5,000 people will walk through that barn” at the end of the month, showing their support of the youth of Cherokee County.

“It’s awesome how well the community supports the youth,” he said. “And every single year we are challenged to make it better.”

Check-in for the 2026 show begins 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 23, with judging of floral design, photography and canned/baked goods division; results in those divisions are expected to be posted that same evening.

The extension, explained Ellis, is to help ease the show’s growing pains.

“We did restructure a little bit to free things up,” he said. “It’s an extra evening because of the exceptional growth we are seeing in the show, and we felt like it’d be better to bring it (floral design, foods and photography) in on the evening of the 23rd.”

The first full day of the show is Tuesday, March 24, with check-in from 7-8 a.m., followed by judging of horticulture and poultry projects in the morning, with results announced that afternoon, followed by check-in of ag mechanics projects.

On Wednesday, March 25, the morning program begins with rabbit show judging at 8:30 a.m., followed by this year’s Exceptional Kids Show from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Results of the 2026 Queens Contest will be announced at 1 p.m., followed by rabbit show results, then animal check-in from 4-7 p.m. 

The county’s Cowboy Churches will host a 6 p.m. devotional and singing at the show barn that is open to the public Wednesday evening.

Thursday’s itinerary (March 26) features an 8 a.m. swine show and a 12:30 p.m. dairy cattle show, immediately followed by a dairy goat show, with results announced after those respective shows, along with results of the ag mechanics show. CCJLS horse show check-in begins 5 p.m. Thursday, followed by judging at 6 p.m. 

On Friday, March 27, the morning offers 8 a.m. goat show judging, immediately followed by the CCJLS lamb show. The pen of heifers show begins at 10 a.m., followed by the beef show at 1 p.m.

On the last day of the show – Saturday, March 28, a 9 a.m. livestock judging contest kicks off the morning, followed by an 11 a.m. Buyers Appreciation Lunch, reintroduction of the 2026 Queens Court, along with presentation of scholarships and awards.

The show concludes with a 3 p.m. sale of top livestock and ag mechanics projects.

As he steps into his new role, Ellis said he hopes the community continues to grow its support of the youth who pour their hearts into the stock show. 

Additionally, he hopes that people will “see how exceptional these kids are” as they pour “heart and hard work” into their projects.