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
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
- Boone County Farm Bureau Cookout Contest
Held each year; the most recent date was July 18, 2026, at the Boone County Fairgrounds for the Iowa Farm Bureau cookout contest.
Boone, IA | Organizer: Iowa Farm Bureau Official event details - Farm Progress Show Boone Iowa
The Farm Progress Show came to Boone, Iowa, with a new 6-acre Agronomy Zone planted inside the show fence. Held each year; the most recent dates were September 1-3, 2026.
- 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.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.