2026 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show & Sale Activities Kick-Off in January
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2026
January is known in Eagle Pass, Texas as the Maverick County Junior Livestock Show and Sale month. January means wearing one’s western boots, hat, and attire for the junior livestock show.
In 2026, the Maverick County Junior Livestock Show and Sale activities commence on Friday-Saturday, January 16-17, 2026 with the MCJLS BBQ Cookoff Fourth Annual State Championship with a guaranteed payout of $5,000 for the main meat category to be held at the Zan Matthies Showbarn, 2350 E. Main Street, Eagle Pass, Texas, announced Amado Esqueda. Entry fee is $225 for main meats participants and may contact Amado Esqueda at (830) 968-0076 to officially register in the BBQ Cookoff State Championship.
The activities continue on Sunday, January 18, 2026 with the prestigious Maverick County Junior Livestock Show Pageant at 5 p.m. at the Zan Matthies Showbarn, 2350 E. Main Street, Eagle Pass, Texas with young ladies and men competing in seven pageant categories, announced Pageant Director Brandi Villarreal. To register for the 2026 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show Pageant, please contact Brandi Villarreal at (956) 319-7182. Registration fee is $100 plus $50 for a Sponsor Fee if registered by January 4, 2026. After January 4th, a late registration fee of an additional $50 will be charged.
The activities continue on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 with the legendary Jesus “Chuy” Sanchez Annual Cowboy Breakfast at 7 a.m. at the Zan Matthies Showbarn co-sponsored by the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce and the Maverick County Junior Livestock Show Association. Tickets to the Cowboy Breakfast are available at the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce, 400 Garrison Street, Eagle Pass, Texas, Telephone (830) 773-3224.
The Maverick County Junior Livestock Show activities continue during Wednesday-Friday, January 21-23, 2026 with the annual livestock show exhibitors and their animal projects, including lambs, goats, swine, steers, poultry, rabbits, and much more. Individual breed champions and overall grand champion and reserve champion winners are selected among the various animal categories.
The highlight of the 2026 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show and Sale is on Saturday, January 24th, at 10:30 a.m. with the Annual Sale of the animals exhibited at the livestock show by 4-H and FFA members. Local and out-of-town businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, educators, and friends of youth and agriculture are cordially invited to register to become a buyer at the MCJLS Sale.
Following a week long of MCJLS activities, the 2026 Grand Daddy Show culminates with a traditional Western Dance and Dinner at the International Center for Trade in Eagle Pass, Texas. A live country and western band or musical act is usually hired to entertain the hard-working volunteers, buyers, exhibitors, students, and friends of the livestock show. Stay tuned for more details in the coming days.
