What the 4-H Market Lamb Show Is
The 4-H Market Lamb Show is where Indiana 4-H members show lambs raised for the meat market at the Indiana State Fair. Lambs are judged on how well they fit the market, and exhibitors also compete in showmanship. The show is Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion, one day after market lamb showmanship. The fair runs the market lamb show alongside Purdue Extension 4-H.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Exhibitors must be 4-H members in good standing in the sheep project. Lambs had to be identified in Indiana 4-H Online and DNA submitted through the county Extension office by May 15, 2026.
- Each exhibitor may show up to four market lambs and four wether dams.
- Lambs must be under one year old on show day and still have their lamb's teeth.
- Lambs must arrive slick shorn at a uniform length of 1/8 inch or less, including belly wool. Lambs with longer wool between the hock or knee and the ears cannot enter the ring.
- Lambs are unloaded and presented without blankets for inspection.
- After weigh-back, a lamb must weigh at least 70 pounds and be within 6 pounds of its declared weight, or it is disqualified. Declared weight cards cannot be changed once turned in.
- Classes have between 5 and 20 lambs. The three highest-placing lambs in each class have their 840 RFID tags scanned, and any lamb whose tag cannot be verified is disqualified.
- Only official county five-digit tags, 840 RFID tags and scrapie tags are allowed. Ear tags with wording are covered at check-in.
- Lambs showing testicular tissue may be ineligible.
Breeds
Breed classes include Border Cheviot, North Country Cheviot, Columbia, Corriedale, Texel, Tunis, Montadale, Katahdin, Lincoln, Dorper, Suffolk, Horned Dorset, Dorset, Southdown, Oxford, Shropshire, Hampshire, Natural Colored, blackface cross, whiteface cross and AOB (all other breeds). Breed winners return for breed champion, then compete for grand champion market lamb.
How It Works: The Timeline
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Wed., Aug. 5 | Online penning sale 9:00-11:00 a.m.; general tack move-in 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| Thu., Aug. 6 | Lambs admitted and penned 6:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.; paperwork 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; exhibitors meeting 3:30 p.m.; breed classification sift 4:00 p.m.; declared weight cards due at 6:00 p.m. or within 30 minutes after the sift |
| Fri., Aug. 7 | Market lamb showmanship at 8:00 a.m. (junior, intermediate, senior) |
| Sat., Aug. 8 | Market lamb show at 8:00 a.m.; lambs are released once judged and pens are cleaned, except breed champions and reserves |
Showmanship follows grade-in-school on January 1: junior is grades 3 to 5, intermediate is 6 to 8, and senior is 9 and up.
Fees, Awards and What You Get
The entry fee is $22 per head from May 19 to July 1, $82 from July 2 to July 31, and $97 from August 1 to August 2, paid online. Placings from first to tenth earn ribbons and a sliding-scale premium that starts at $22 for first place in classes of 19 or more. The champion market lamb receives a medium banner and $1,100 unless selected for the Celebration of Champions. The Celebration honors the top five market lambs, and lambs picked for it must be harvested and cannot be withdrawn. Showmanship winners earn rosettes, and the senior champion advances to Supreme Showmanship on August 23.
Pens are assigned by barn staff, and you bring your own dividers. One lamb gets one pen, two to four lambs get two pens, and five to eight lambs get three pens. Pens must be cleaned and checked by barn staff before you leave.
Where
Blue Ribbon Pavilion, Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46205.
Questions
Can I show a lamb that has wool?
No. Market lambs must be slick shorn to 1/8 inch or less before they enter the ring.
Who do I call?
The State Fair Entry Department at 317-927-7515, or the fair at 317-927-7500.
Official Links
- Indiana State Fair livestock show schedule
- 2026 4-H Sheep Entry Book (PDF)
- 4-H livestock entry books
Indiana County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Indiana's 92 counties each host a fair, and most run in July, per the Farm Bureau's 2026 county fair guide. Allen County ran June 23-28 and Adams County July 19-23.
State fair
The 2026 Indiana State Fair ran August 7 to 23 in Indianapolis, with 4-H beef, swine and sheep shows starting August 7, per the livestock show schedule.
IDs and health
Animal ID goes into Indiana 4-H Online by May 15, per the 2026 ID chart. Indiana animals need no BOAH health certificate unless the show asks, per the state requirements.
Who can show
Indiana 4-H runs from third grade through grade 12, up to ten years, per the eligibility policy. Members enroll each year in 4-H Online.
Show week
Harrison County opened livestock check-in June 19 and held its auction June 25, per its 2026 handbook.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office for your fair book and ID day dates.
Rules and entry limits differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Indiana County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Marion County Fair
Mark June 26 to July 5, 2026 for the Marion County Fair in Indianapolis (10 days, Friday start). Held each year; the most recent dates were June 26 to July 5, 2026.
Indianapolis, IN Official event details - Indiana 4-H and FFA State Horse Judging Contest
Open to 4-H and FFA members, this state contest at the Indiana State Fair teaches youth to evaluate horses, and no Area Contest qualifier is required. Held each year; the most recent date was August 6, 2026.
- Indiana State Fair
The Indiana State Fair fills the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis with livestock shows, 4-H exhibits and farm displays, closed Mondays. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 7 to 23, 2026.
- Indiana State Fair 4-H Beef Showmanship
Young Indiana 4-H exhibitors lead their beef animals before the judge in showmanship classes at the state fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Held each year; the most recent date was August 7, 2026.
- Indiana State Fair Open Cattle Show
Breeders from around Indiana bring beef cattle to the Open Cattle Show at the state fairgrounds in Indianapolis, which shares its day with 4-H beef showmanship. Held each year; the most recent date was August 7, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.