What the Benton County Fair Is
The Benton County Fair in Corvallis is a 4-H fair held at the Benton County Fairgrounds. The 2026 edition ran Wednesday, July 29 through Saturday, August 1 under the theme "Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights." Members show market beef, sheep, swine and meat goats, enter static exhibits, compete in judging and marketing contests, and finish with the Lee Allen Memorial Youth Market Auction.
Ways to Take Part
- Market animal projects: beef, sheep, swine and meat goats. Horse is a separate 4-H project with its own horse fair held in July.
- Static exhibits: Family, Consumer Science, Arts and Sciences projects, open to all 4-H members. Members choose classes online and reserve an interview judging time slot. Judging was Saturday, July 25, 2026.
- Livestock judging contest: open to all 4-H members; tests selection of beef, sheep, swine and meat goats, with handbooks available.
- Marketing contest: open to animal science members. Members promote their animal to judges for presentation purposes only; no sale takes place and the animal must be present. Sign-up opens online in mid-July, and openings are first come on the fair-week bulletin board.
- Herdsmanship: a team contest where clubs are judged twice daily. Members do the work; parents and leaders may only supervise and teach.
- Master Showmanship: chooses top showmen to represent each species.
- Table setting contest: covers table setting, meal planning, theme creativity, public speaking and food safety.
- Milk Chug-A-Lug: teams of up to six; open to members, leaders and parents, sponsored by the Linn-Benton County Dairy Women.
Key Dates and Deadlines (2026 Edition)
| Date | What |
|---|---|
| May 26 | Online registration opens |
| June 1 | YQCA training deadline |
| June 12, midnight | Registration closes |
| July 15 | Auction book cover submissions due to the Extension office |
| July 25 | Static exhibit judging at the fairgrounds |
| July 29 to August 1 | Fair |
| August 1, 3:00 p.m. | Lee Allen Memorial Youth Market Auction |
Rules and Fees
Each member must register online to select classes, including horse. YQCA (Youth for the Quality Care of Animals) is required for all members in animal science projects; it is a statewide Oregon 4-H policy covering food safety, animal well-being and character awareness, and certificates are valid for three years. A judges' fee of $10 per member (not per species) applies to beef, sheep, swine and meat goat projects, collected at check-in in exact cash or check. Eligibility for the auction is spelled out in the 4-H Fair Book.
The Auction and Book Cover Contest
The Lee Allen Memorial Youth Market Auction helps 4-H and FFA members build life skills, responsibility, decision-making and record-keeping, and profits typically go back into projects or future educational expenses. Benton County 4-H members can also enter the auction book cover contest, which carries cash awards sponsored by the Dowless Family. Entries are black ink or pencil on 8.5 by 11 inch white paper with a small white border, must carry the title "2026 Lee Allen Memorial Youth Market Auction," the date, time and theme.
Camping
RV and tent camping is in the Oak Grove area for 4-H members and families. RVs 30 feet or shorter get priority placement, larger RVs go on a waitlist, and each club may be limited to a set number of trailers. Reservations go through the 4-H office with the fairgrounds. A fair information and camping packet is released in late May.
Questions
Is there an age limit?
No age requirements or divisions are published for the Benton County fair classes.
Does the marketing contest sell my animal?
No. It is a presentation contest only.
Who runs it?
Benton County 4-H, through the OSU Extension office.
Official Links
Iowa County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Iowa youth livestock shows run from county fairs in June through August to the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, August 13 to 23, 2026, per the fair listing. County fairs set their own rules, so check your premium book.
State Fair deadlines
Entries for beef, sheep, swine, goats, dairy and horse were due July 1, with late entries through July 8 for a fee. Poultry, rabbit and prospect calf entries were due July 15, per the entry deadlines page. Beef cattle require Iowa residency.
Ownership and weights
State Fair market beef must be identified in 4-H Online by February 1, and steers must weigh at least 900 lb, per the 4-H beef book. 4-H members can show through 12th grade, per the Iowa 4-H requirements.
Rules to check
Franklin County's 2025 rules show how county rules read: livestock owned by May 15, ID forms and YQCA certification due that day, official tags, and consent to drug testing on entry, per its rule sheet.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office for your fair book and tagging dates.
Rules and dates differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Iowa County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Iowa Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and County Leadership Conference
Iowa Farm Bureau members meet for the annual meeting and county leadership conference at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines, December 8-9, 2026.
Des Moines, IA Official event details - Cass County Winter Extension and Conservation Day Camp
Polar Bear Discovery day camp for kindergarten through 2nd grade at the Cass County Community Building in Atlantic, $5 per camper. Held each year; registration closes December 23.
Atlantic, IA | Organizer: Cass County Extension Official event details - Iowa Pork Congress
Iowa Pork Producers Association winter pork industry show and trade fair in downtown Des Moines. Listed for January 20-21, 2027.
- Ringgold County Fair
Mount Ayr fair on the north edge of town, with a full week of 4-H and FFA shows for swine, sheep, goats, beef, horses, poultry and rabbits. Scheduled for July 6-11, 2027.
Mount Ayr, IA Official event details - Sioux County Youth Fair
Youth-focused Sioux County fair on the east side of Sioux Center, with 4-H events, a pork feed and a fair board breakfast. Scheduled for July 9-16, 2027.
Sioux Center, IA Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.