Eliminating animal-to-human contact is a priority for the Arizona State Fair this year.
After a major E. coli outbreak that hospitalized 13 children in 2025, the fair has chosen to cut a petting zoo from its offerings in 2026, instead focusing on its multiple exhibits to show off Arizona farm animals.
"The safety of everyone who comes to the Arizona State Fair is our priority," State Fair spokesperson Brianda Martinez said. "While livestock exhibits and agricultural education are the heart of the State Fair, we are taking precautions by eliminating as many human-animal contact points as possible for our guests this season.
"We will have farm animals for our guests to observe from a distance, but we will not have a petting zoo this year."
In addition to the petting zoo being removed, strollers and wagons will not be allowed inside the State Fair barns. The fair is encouraging guests to practice good hand hygiene and to avoid touching their eyes, noses, and mouths while in the animal exhibit area, Martinez said.
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The State Fair's website had previously advertised that baby animals from Kerr's Farm Tours would be featured in the agricultural center. Martinez also said the fair would feature Kerr's Farm Tours to promote "Arizona’s agricultural roots," saying visitors would be able to get up close to "adorable baby cows, turkeys, sheep, goats, and chicks."
But after a nearly 40-year partnership, Kerr's Farm Tours is no longer at the fair.
"Neither the Great American Petting Zoo nor Kerr's Farm Tours will be participating in the fair," Martinez said. "This aligns with the Arizona State Fair's decision to eliminate contact points and prioritize guest safety."
After a major E. coli outbreak that hospitalized 13 children in 2025, the Arizona State Fair has chosen to cut a petting zoo from its offerings this year.
What animals you can expect to see at the fair
Guests will be able to view different farm animals in the fair's agricultural center and watch livestock shows and livestock competitions.
Judges will rank their top picks at the Youth Livestock Show, where Arizona's young farmers will show off their pigs, goats, sheep and cattle from Oct. 8 to 11.
At the Market Turkey Show, exhibitors will be showcasing everything from feather quality to showmanship, also from Oct. 8 to 11.
The Sheep Show will showcase Karakuls, Oxfords, Suffolks and Hampshires as they compete for Grand Championship from Oct. 15 to 18.
Meat goats will be competing from Oct. 22 to 25 to see who will be the G.O.A.T.
An open dairy goat show will display the differences between milk-producing dairy goat breeds, including Nigerian Dwarfs, LaManchas and Nubians, from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1.
