Florida 4-H
Regional & State Championship 4-H Tailgating Contest
The purpose of this contest is to promote the use of animal protein in the diet by teaching the art and science of safely preparing beef, pork, poultry, and seafood in an outdoor setting. Investment in this activity will provide 4-H youth with life skills, including decision making, healthy lifestyle choices, and communication.
To learn more about this contest click here: Florida 4-H Tailgating Contest Handbook.
Contest Information
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Region 1 | Northwest Contest
Key Questions Information When July 25, 2026 Where Washington County Agriculture Center | 1424 Jackson Ave, Chipley, FL 32428 Registration Registration Opens: March 10, 2026
Registration Closes: July 10, 2026
Grill Setup Grill setup will be from 9:15 a.m. CDT to 10 a.m. CDT with grills starting at 10:15 a.m. CDT. Counties Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton, Washington Coordinators Mark Mauldin, mdm83@ufl.edu, & Nicole Crawson ncrawson@ufl.edu Speak with your county 4-H Agent or Professional to get registered.
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Region 2 | Northeast Contest
Key Question Information When August 1, 2026 Where Animal Sciences Horse Teaching Unit | 1934 SW 63rd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32608 Registration Registration Opens: March 10, 2026
Registration Closes: July 17, 2026
Grill Setup Set up will be from 9:15 am to 10 am with grills starting at 10:15 am EDT Counties Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union Coordinators Geralyn Sachs grow4H@ifas.ufl.edu Speak with your county 4-H Agent or Professional to get registered.
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Region 3 | Central Contest
Key Question Information When August 8, 2026 Where Sumter County Fairgrounds, 7620 State Route 471 Bushnell, FL 33513 Registration Registration Opens: March 10, 2026
Registration Closes: July 24, 2026
Grill Setup Set up will be from 9 am to 9:45 am with grills starting at 10 am Counties Brevard, Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lake, Manatee, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, Volusia Coordinators Shayla Reighter, shay0815@ufl.edu & Laura Bennet, laurahbennett@ufl.edu Speak with your county 4-H Agent or Professional to get registered.
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Region 4 | South Contest
Key Questions Information When May 29, 2026 Where LaBelle Rodeo Grounds | 110 Rodeo Drive, LaBelle, FL 33935 Registration Registration Opens: March 10, 2026
Registration Closes: May 15, 2026
Grill Setup Set up will be from 9:30 am to 10:15 am with grills starting at 10:30 EDT Counties Broward, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Miami Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Seminole Tribe, St. Lucie Coordinators Sonja Crawford, sycr@ufl.edu Speak with your county 4-H Agent or Professional to get registered.
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State Contest
Key Questions Information When October 10, 2026 Where Animal Sciences Beef Teaching Unit, 3721 SW 23rd Street, Gainesville, FL 32608 Registration Registration Opens: March 10, 2026
Registration Closes: September 28, 2026
Grill Setup 8 am to 8:45 with grills to be started at 9 am EDT Coordinators Chad Carr, Brian Estevez & Sonja Crawford Speak with your county 4-H Agent or Professional to get registered.
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