What the Winnebago County Fair Is
The Winnebago County Fair is a five-day summer fair at the Sunnyview Exposition Center in Oshkosh, run by the volunteer Winnebago County Fair Association board. For 4-H youth it is the showcase for a year of project work: animals and non-animal exhibits are judged by registered state judges, and every exhibitor gets feedback on how to improve. The fair is 171 years old, and the 2026 edition ran from Wednesday, July 29 through Sunday, August 2, with animal check-in and set-up starting earlier in the week.
Who Can Exhibit
Youth must be enrolled in a youth organization such as 4-H and be a member in good standing. Exhibitors sign up for specific items through Fair Entry, separate from 4-H enrollment. For 2026 the Fair Entry deadline was Monday, June 22 at 11:59 p.m., with no late entries, and Fair Entry fees could not be refunded after that date. Every barn species required a Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certificate in 2026, and animals needed the vet checks and paperwork in the Premium Book's animal health rules.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Friday, July 24: Fair Entry tags available at the Expo Building after 3 p.m.
- Sunday, July 26: Pen, stall and cage set-up, required for youth showing animals. Dairy holds a mandatory meeting at noon. Meat animal pen set-up is at 9:00 a.m. with a mandatory meeting at 10:30 a.m.
- Monday and Tuesday, July 27-28: Non-animal judging in the Expo Building, 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. Exhibitors must be in line by 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 28: Animal check-in, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A trailer not in line by 6 p.m. is sent home. A veterinarian is on the grounds.
- Wednesday, July 29: Junior Dairy Show at 8:30 a.m., goat show at 9:00 a.m. in the Barn A Annex, rabbit judging at 9:00 a.m. under the Barn E overhang, and the 4-H Fashion Show at 4 p.m. in the Expo Building.
- Thursday, July 30: Poultry judging at 9:00 a.m. and the Hippology Contest, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Friday, July 31: Meat Animal sale cards due by noon.
- Saturday, August 1: Meat Animal Sale in the Barn A Annex, buyer registration at 8:00 a.m. and sale at 9:00 a.m. Fun with Goats is at 3 p.m. in the covered arena.
- Sunday, August 2: 4-H Awards Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. in the Expo Building, County Fair Awards (including Barn Herdsmanship) at 3 p.m. in the covered arena, animal release at 4:00 p.m.
Judging and Awards
Animal classes use Danish judging, where every entry can earn a ribbon and premium but the number of blue, red, white and pink ribbons depends on class size. Non-animal exhibits use face-to-face judging: you meet the judge, explain your work, and every exhibit receives a ribbon and premium. Barn Herdsmanship rewards club barn areas for decorations, animal condition, clean aisles and member participation, scored 50 percent by other clubs and 50 percent by visitors. Meat animals can sell in the Meat Animal Sale, and the 2026 swine show was non-terminal, so families arranged their own slaughter for unsold animals.
Release and Rules to Know
- Animals are released Sunday at 4:00 p.m. and must be out by 7:00 p.m.; other exhibits are released 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Leaving early can cost the fair state aid.
- Only straw and pre-packaged shavings are allowed for bedding.
- Beef and dairy cattle older than 6 months may not have horns.
- Poultry must be over 4 months old and in full feather, with NPIP or Wisconsin tested-flock paperwork.
- Intact male goats are not allowed.
Camping, Food and Fun
On-site camping was $225 for electric sites and $150 for non-electric in 2026, with priority for exhibitor families. The 4-H Dipper food stand serves pancakes, cheese curds, sundaes and shakes, with proceeds supporting county 4-H. The grandstand hosted a rodeo Wednesday, county tractor pull Thursday, Badgerstate tractor pull Friday and demolition derby Saturday, plus a midway behind the grandstand.
Where
Sunnyview Exposition Center, 500 E County Rd Y, Oshkosh, WI 54901.
Questions
Can I still enter after the Fair Entry deadline?
No. Late entries were not accepted because staff need time to prepare entry tags, judging books and stall assignments.
Who do I call?
The fair office at 920-685-3013. For Fair Entry questions, call 920-915-2078 and leave the youth member's name and your question.
Are rabbits and poultry in the same place as other animals?
They moved to Barn E by the grandstand.
Official Links
- 2026 Winnebago County Fair Information Book for 4-H Members and Leaders
- Winnebago County Fair Association: exhibitor information, Premium Book and entertainment schedule
- Winnebago County Meat Animal Board: Meat Animal Sale rules
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
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Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.