What the Boone County 4-H Fair Is
The Boone County 4-H Fair in Lebanon is a week of 4-H livestock shows, project judging, contests and a livestock auction, followed by open shows. The 2026 fair ran from Sunday, July 26 through Saturday, August 1, with project check-in and judging starting weeks earlier. Fairgrounds close at 11 p.m. unless the Fair Board approves otherwise. The schedule was published as a draft, so times and locations may change; confirm with the Purdue Extension Boone County office or your project leader.
Before the Fair: Entry and Judging
- Fair entry opened Sunday, June 7 and closed at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 13 for all projects.
- Friday, July 17: check-in and judging for construction, woodworking, ceramics, home environment and other projects, plus animal posters and the Outdoor Chef contest.
- Saturday, July 18: photography, small engines, child development, scrapbooking and many more projects, plus the Bicycle Rodeo at 4 p.m.
- Sunday, July 19: dog agility at 10 a.m., dog obedience at 1:30 p.m., and the private fashion revue.
- Thursday, July 23: foods, cake decorating, electric, crops, floriculture, garden and tractor driving.
Livestock Week: The Timeline
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Sat, July 25 | Check-in and weigh-in for goats, sheep, feeder calves and beef (beef weighed 3 p.m.); rabbits and horse and pony check in later in the day |
| Sun, July 26 | Horse and pony Western show 9 a.m.; rabbit show 9:15 a.m.; utility goat show 10 a.m.; Open Beef Show 2 p.m. |
| Mon, July 27 | Horse and pony English and contesting 9 a.m.; feeder calf show noon; 4-H Beef Show 2 p.m. |
| Tue, July 28 | Meat goat show 8 a.m.; cat show 9 a.m.; sheep show noon; dairy animals enter in the evening |
| Wed, July 29 | 4-H Swine Show 9 a.m.; swine auction deadline 6 p.m. |
| Thu, July 30 | Dairy goat show; poultry show 9 a.m.; open market hog show 3 p.m.; 4-H Dairy Show 6 p.m. |
| Fri, July 31 | Llama and alpaca show 9 a.m.; dog events; 4-H Herdsmanship Awards 5 p.m.; 4-H Livestock Auction 5:30 p.m. |
| Sat, Aug 1 | Open Dairy Show 9 a.m.; 4-H Achievement Program 4 p.m.; Parade of Champions 5:30 p.m.; Supreme Showmanship 6 p.m. |
Auction entry deadlines are generally one hour after the relevant show ends. Beef and feeder calves are released 30 minutes after the beef show, and sheep and meat goats not in the open show or auction are released 30 minutes after their show.
Awards and Recognition
The fair closes with the Parade of Champions and the Supreme Showmanship contest on Saturday evening. During the Supreme Showmanship intermission, the fair presents 10-Year Member recognition and the 4-H scholarship awards. Trophies are picked up at the Witham Pavilion on Sunday, August 2, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Also on the Grounds
Non-animal projects are on display in the BCA Building, open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from July 27 through July 30 and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on July 31. Other events include a robotics demonstration on July 29, putt-putt golf, Young McDonald's Farm run by WEBO FFA on July 30, a tallest corn stalk contest on July 31, and a 1/16 model tractor pull on July 22.
Where
The Boone County 4-H Fair is held in Lebanon, Indiana. Shows take place in the Witham Pavilion, the State Bank Cattle Barn, the North Salem State Bank Swine Barn, the Plunkett Ag Show Arena, the Horse Arena and Centennial Halls North and South. Project buildings include the BCA Building and the Boone REMC Hall.
Questions
When is the last day to enter projects?
11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 13, 2026.
When is the livestock auction?
Friday, July 31 at 5:30 p.m. in the Witham Pavilion, with species auction deadlines set by each show.
Can I show beef in an open class?
Yes. The Open Beef Show was Sunday, July 26 at 2 p.m. in the Plunkett Ag Show Arena, with entries due at 1 p.m.
Can I bring a project early?
No. Projects are not accepted before their designated check-in time.
Official Links
- 2026 Boone County 4-H Fair schedule: check-in, shows, auction and awards
- Indiana Farm Bureau guide to 2026 county fair dates
Illinois County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
AgriNews lists 105 Illinois fairs for 2026, including the Illinois State Fair (August 13 to 23, Springfield) and the Du Quoin State Fair (August 28 to September 7), per its county fair lineup.
Ownership and tags
State Fair market steers must be owned since February 1, 2026, and cattle and swine need a USDA 840 ear tag, per the junior show requirements.
Training
YQCA is required for dairy, beef, swine, sheep and goat exhibitors, and Lake County sets a June 1 completion deadline, per Lake County 4-H.
Drug rules
At Du Quoin a positive test means disqualification, with a three-year ban for a first offense, per the livestock book.
Dates
Many counties fall between mid-July and early August, such as Knox (July 6 to 11), Champaign (July 25 to August 1) and Lake (July 29 to August 2).
Next steps
Get your county's fair book, mark the enrollment and entry dates, and ask your Extension office about weigh-ins.
Dates and rules change, so confirm with the fair.
Read the full guide: Illinois County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Boone County 4-H General Projects Day
Saturday judging of 4-H general projects, open to the public for viewing from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Held each year; the most recent dates posted are for July 10, 2027.
111 W. 1st St., Belvidere, IL 61008 | 815-544-3710 | Organizer: Illinois Extension Boone County Official event details - Boone County 4-H Shows
Week of 4-H livestock and project shows at the Boone County Fairgrounds, open to the public. Held each year; the most recent dates posted are August 10-15, 2027.
8847 IL-76, Belvidere, IL 61008 | 815-544-3710 | Organizer: Illinois Extension Boone County Official event details - Boone County Farm Stroll
Free self-guided tour of Boone County farms with a stamped passport and raffle; the 2026 edition added Meyers Family Farm in Capron and Farmers Rising in Caledonia. Held each year; the most recent date was October 4, 2026.
8791 IL Route 76, Belvidere, IL 61008 | 815-544-3710 | Organizer: University of Illinois Extension Boone, DeKalb and Ogle Counties Official event details - Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
The 2026 IFB Annual Meeting is scheduled for December 12-15 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Illinois Farm Bureau delegates gather each December to set policy and elect leadership.
- Illinois Farm Bureau Newer Presidents Seminar
A one-day January 2027 seminar for newer county Farm Bureau presidents, held at the IAA Building on Towanda Avenue in Bloomington.
1701 Towanda Ave, Bloomington, IL | Organizer: Illinois Farm Bureau Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.