What the Knox County 4-H Fair Is
The Knox County 4-H Fair in Vincennes is the week when 4-H members show their livestock and display the year's projects at the Knox County Fairgrounds. The most recent fair ran Monday, July 27 through Saturday, August 1, 2026, with animal check-in the day before. It ends with the 4-H Livestock Auction on Friday night.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- July 1, 4 p.m.: Creative Writing and Genealogy projects due at the Extension Office.
- July 17, 4 p.m.: supplies pickup at the Extension Office.
- July 18: dog, poultry, rabbit and horse and pony manuals due; livestock clean-up at 8 a.m.
- July 20, 6 p.m.: building set-up.
- July 22, 5 to 8 p.m.: non-perishable project check-in, including Mini 4-H.
- July 25, 8 to 11 a.m.: perishables, cakes, crops, flowers and all sewing; Mini 4-H may also check in.
Record sheets are turned in at check-in, which earns the member's Fair Pass.
Livestock Schedule
| Date | Show |
|---|---|
| Sun, July 26 | Animals arrive 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; official check-in 4 to 9 p.m., all animals in barns by 9 p.m.; dog agility 6:30 p.m. |
| Mon, July 27 | Poultry 8 a.m.; rabbit 9 a.m.; horse and pony contesting 4 p.m. |
| Tue, July 28 | Swine 8 a.m.; dog obedience and showmanship 8:30 a.m.; sheep 4:30 p.m. |
| Wed, July 29 | Beef and dairy 9 a.m.; cat show 3 p.m.; goats 4:30 p.m. |
| Thu, July 30 | Llama and alpaca 9 a.m.; horse and pony 9 a.m.; Round Robin 7 p.m. |
| Fri, July 31 | Horse and pony 9 a.m.; 4-H Livestock Auction 5:30 p.m. in the Livestock Arena; release after the auction at 10:30 p.m. |
Rules Exhibitors Should Know
- Minors must have a supervisor at the fair.
- Dog and cat exhibitors need a valid Certificate of Vaccination.
- Grooming must be done within 100 feet of the barn, or of the horse arena for horses, and exhibitors must take an active, hands-on role.
- Only superintendent-approved fans are allowed in barns. The swine barn allows one fan per pen, no turbo fans, under 2 amps.
- Swine ear notches must match enrollment forms, and barrow weight is 200 to 300 pounds.
- Posters must be 22 by 28 inches, horizontal with the 28-inch side on top, on firm backing (no plywood) and in a clear plastic sleeve.
- A project that does not meet requirements may be docked one ribbon placing at the judge's discretion.
Premiums and Release
Livestock premiums are picked up from the species superintendent on July 31 during the auction. Building premiums are available July 30 from 4 to 10 p.m., July 31 when the building is open, or August 1 from 9 to 11 p.m. The exhibit hall closes Saturday, August 1 at 8:45 p.m. Projects are released August 1 from 9 to 11 p.m. or August 2 from 5 to 6 p.m., and projects not picked up are disposed of.
For Visitors
The Farm Bureau Exhibit Hall is open to the public Monday through Friday (July 27 to 31) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 10 p.m., with Tuesday opening at 8 a.m., and Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. After 4 p.m. no vehicles may be driven on the grounds except fair officials and handicap use. Vehicles enter on the west (Vincennes) side. Families feeding animals after 4 p.m. need a car pass from the Fair Office, which covers the driver plus one person. Parking along or across from the rabbit and poultry barns is prohibited.
The midway is Luehrs' Ideal Rides: $30 wristbands on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, all rides one ticket on Thursday's Kiddie Day, and two riders for the price of one on Friday's Buddy Night. Presale tickets save $10 through a QR code.
Where
Knox County Fairgrounds, Vincennes, Indiana. The Purdue Extension Knox County office is at 4259 North Purdue Rd., Vincennes, IN 47591.
Questions
When is the auction?
Friday, July 31 at 5:30 p.m. in the Livestock Arena.
When are animals due?
Animals check in Sunday, July 26 from 4 to 9 p.m.
How do I get my Fair Pass?
Turn in record sheets at project check-in.
Official Links
- Knox County 4-H Fair issue of the Clover Quarterly: deadlines, livestock schedule, rules and carnival
- Purdue Extension Knox County 4-H
- 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
- 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 - From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference
The 2027 From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference runs January 27-29 at the Bank of Springfield Center, serving Illinois specialty growers and local-food producers.
Springfield, IL | Organizer: Illinois Farm Bureau Official event details - Illinois Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference
Illinois Farm Bureau members meet at the Bank of Springfield Center on February 16, 2027 for the Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference, focused on state advocacy.
1 Convention Center Plaza, Springfield, IL | Organizer: Illinois Farm Bureau Official event details - Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Conference
The 2027 IFB Young Leader Conference gathers young Farm Bureau members at the I Hotel & Illinois Conference Center in Champaign on February 26-27.
1900 South 1st Street, Champaign, IL | Organizer: Illinois Farm Bureau Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.