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The Grand Olde Breed
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Regional Affiliate of the American Highland Cattle Association (AHCA)
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2026 NEHCA Spring Show & Gathering
May 1st-2nd, 2026
West Springfield, MA
Eastern States Exposition Center
Do you need to exhibit cattle to enjoy a NEHCA Highland Cattle Show? No!
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NEHCA and AHCA Highland Shows create a fun and family-friendly environment, allowing beginners, hobbyists, breed enthusiasts, youth, and established breeders to gather in a welcoming space to converse, exhibit cattle, and network with farms from across the region and country.
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This event is for all ages. The NEHCA Spring Show runs in conjunction with the Big East Youth & Jackpot Show, offering plenty of events and activities for children. Check out the Big East website for their full list of events.
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Are you new to Highland Cattle? This is a great event for you! The NEHCA Spring Show is the largest Highland Cattle event in the northeast, bringing Highland breeders together from across the region and beyond. Established breeders are happy to answer your questions. Many of the established breeders first started by attending a NEHCA Show from years past- we all start somewhere- start this year, and enjoy the weekend with NEHCA!
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Get ready for a weekend full of great highland cattle genetics, conversations, & FUN for new and established breeders!
NEHCA Sponsorship Opportunities:
You do not have to exhibit cattle to sponsor the 2026 Spring Show & Gathering!
NEHCA Sponsorships are a great way to get your farm name recognized throughout the Highland community! Whether you sponsor in our Showbook, advertise on our annual event t-shirt, or choose our highest option, NEHCA is incredibly thankful for your contribution towards supporting our regional organization.
Sponsorships are purchased on the Showman website. Click HERE.
Sponsorship Questions?
Contact Miriam May at miriammay98@gmail.com
​NEHCA Banquet: Saturday, May 2nd
Location: Carriage House at Storrowton Tavern: 1305 Memorial Avenue W, West Springfield, MA 01089 (Gate #2)
The historic colonial-era tavern is located right on the Eastern States Fairgrounds, across from the historic brick State Houses. The NEHCA Banquet brings breeders from across the region together for a night of social camaraderie, featuring a silent auction during cocktail hour, Annual Awards, and a delicious buffet dinner. ​
The Carriage House at Storrowton Tavern is on the ground level, providing mobility accessibility for all attendees.
6:00pm: Doors Open/Cocktail Hour/Silent Auction
7:00pm: NEHCA Banquet Ceremony Begins
Banquet Registration DEADLINE: Friday, April 24th @11:30pm
All Banquet Ticket sales will be conducted online using Showman
Banquet Questions? Please do not hesitate to reach out to: Marcy Lancaster, at 724-263-0156
NEHCA Membership:
Please remember, to show cattle at the 2026 NEHCA Spring Show & Gathering, you must be a current 2026 NEHCA Member, click HERE for a membership form.
2026 NEHCA SPRING SHOW ENTRY FORM:
New this year! All 2026 NEHCA Spring Show Entries have moved to the Showman website. Starting in 2026, AHCA Superpoint Shows will conduct Highland entries through the Showman website. We are very excited to announce this partnership. Find all NEHCA Spring Show information, animal entries, and banquet tickets, NEHCA Showmanship events, and Sponsorships using the Showman website: HERE
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Having trouble navigating the Showman entries?
Contact Miriam May at 774-212-3600 or Ben Morris at 724-833-3101, and we will help you!
NEHCA Juniors Entry Forms (Youth Exhibitors):
Hey NEHCA Juniors! Glad to have you here.
Please make sure to complete both steps 1 & 2 to enter the NEHCA Junior Show events:
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Enter your heifer in the Big East Heifer Show & Big East Showmanship HERE
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Please Note: NEHCA Junior Heifer Show entries are handled by Big East; you need to enter using the Big East Heifer Show's entry process!​
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Enter NEHCA events using our new Showman show entry website. Use to enter in the NEHCA Open Show, NEHCA Junior Showmanship, and the Beginners & Novice Clinic: HERE
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If you would like to permit NEHCA to share photos on Social Media or the NEHCA Website, please fill out the Minor Photography Release Form and give it to the NEHCA Junior Director at the Show.
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Junior Questions? Please do not hesitate to reach out to NEHCA Junior Director: Laura McDowell-May, at SeawindMeadows@gmail.com
BIG EAST & NEHCA HOTEL BLOCK:
Hilton Garden Inn
800 Hall of Fame Ave
Springfield, MA 01105
Hotel Block Deadline: March 31, 2026. The hotel block has reached capacity- the hotel still has regular room availability.
To Be Directed to the Hilton Hotel website, click HERE
For additional hotel suggestions, click HERE
Hotel Questions? Please do not hesitate to reach out to Jacquelyn Chotkowski 607-731-3487
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CAMPING:
Exhibitors and Visitors are both welcome to camp at the Eastern States Fairgrounds. For more information HERE
Campers are welcome, full-utility hookups available.
Payment is due to the Eastern States Livestock office (located across from the Mallory building bathrooms) upon arrival at the Fairgrounds.
$25/Night for 50 amp
Hey New Exhibitors!
Do you own Highlands and are interested in Showing, but feel overwhelmed about getting involved?
We are here to help!
Contact Laura McDowell-May, head of our Show Committee Mentorship Program.
We will answer your vet questions, health requirements, and what supplies to bring to a show- we'll work with you from A-Z. We all began somewhere, and NEHCA would love to help you through the process! Make sure to come to our Novice Showmanship Clinic on Friday, where we'll cover Showmanship skills starting from the basics and offer a hands-on clinic. All Highland folks, adult and youth, are welcome to attend this free clinic. Please register for the clinic on the Showman website so we can collect a headcount.
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Never shown before, and don't know where to start? We have a supply packing list to help you out! Suggested Supply Packing List: click HERE
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Creating your Animal Show Sign:
Feel welcome to download the sample show sign template and add your animal's information. Then print! You can laminate and duct tape the sign to your curtains, or if feeling fancy, put the laminated sign in an 8X11 picture frame (remember to remove the glass), drill a hole in the top two corners of the frame, and run wire through the hole to make two hooks! To view the Show Sign Template, click HERE​