What the Laurel County Ag Fair Is
The Laurel County Ag Fair is a youth agricultural fair held in London, Kentucky, and 2026 was its 64th annual edition. It is run by the Laurel County Agricultural Youth Fair Board and a volunteer committee. Over four days in late July, young exhibitors show rabbits, poultry, hogs, goats, lambs and beef, compete in a Skill-A-Thon and livestock judging contest, and enter projects in an exhibit hall. The livestock, poultry, small animal, Skill-A-Thon and judging clinic programs are open to current Kentucky 4-H and FFA members, while the exhibit hall is open only to Laurel County 4-H and FFA members.
Divisions and Age Groups
Age is figured as of January 1, 2026.
| Division | Ages |
|---|---|
| Senior | 14 to 21 |
| Junior | 9 to 13 |
| Novice | 8 and under |
Premiums go to youth in good standing who have met their club or chapter requirements, and the Fair Board may verify eligibility. Laurel County 4-H and FFA members receive both open show and county show premiums, but no double premiums are paid for Reserve or Grand Champion.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Tuesday, July 21: Exhibit hall entries are taken from 1 to 4 p.m. at the fairgrounds.
- Wednesday, July 22 (rabbits and poultry): Rabbit registration is 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and the show starts at 9 a.m. Poultry registration and blood testing are also 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., with the show at 9 a.m. followed by poultry showmanship.
- Thursday, July 23 (Skill-A-Thon and judging): Registration is 8 to 8:30 a.m. and pen heifer registration is 8 to 10 a.m. Judging clinics run 9 to 10:30 a.m., the judging contest 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., lunch (hosted by Farm Bureau) 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., the Skill-A-Thon 2 to 3 p.m., and awards at 3:30 p.m.
- Friday, July 24 (hogs, goats, sheep): Hog registration and weigh-in is 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., with the show at 9 a.m. Goat and lamb registration and weigh-in is 9 to 10 a.m., and the show starts at 10:30 a.m. with dairy goats, then market goats, then market lambs.
- Saturday, July 25 (beef): Beef registration and weigh-in take place late morning and the show follows around midday, with awards and a meal after the show. Confirm exact beef times with the Extension Office.
Exhibits can be viewed from July 22 and must be picked up by July 25 after the Paul Claiborne Award is announced.
Species Rules
Rabbits and poultry
Rabbits must be permanently tattooed in the left ear and are judged to the A.R.B.A. Standard of Perfection. Poultry exhibitors must be present for judging, may enter at most two entries per division, and need a Pullorum-Typhoid test certificate or a test on site. There is a minimum of five per breed class.
Hogs, goats and sheep
Market hogs must be gilts or barrows, tagged with a KUIP tag, and are shown out of trailers in heavy and light weight classes. Goats must have current CD-T vaccination and boosters; does or wethers only, no bucks. Dairy goats need an ear tag, tattoo or permanent ID. Lambs must be ewes or wethers; market lambs must be slick or shorn or they are disqualified, and weight classes are set the morning of the show.
Beef
Divisions include market beef, breeding heifers (open or bred), pen heifers (a pen of two open or two bred) and feeder calves. No bulls. Market beef must be weighed before the registration deadline and declared as market or breeding at weigh-in. Optional Laurel County Proud tags cost $10 each and can be picked up at the Laurel County Extension Office before the fair.
Fees, Awards and What You Get
| Award | Amount |
|---|---|
| Showmanship, all species | $25 per division |
| Hogs, goats, sheep, beef class premiums | 1st $20, 2nd $10, 3rd $5, 4th-5th ribbon |
| Rabbit and poultry class premiums | 1st $10, 2nd $7, 3rd $5, 4th-5th ribbon |
| Grand Champion (hogs, goats, sheep, beef) | $200 and banner; Reserve $100 |
| Rabbit Grand Champion / poultry Best of Show | $200 and banner; Reserve $100; division champion $50, reserve $25 |
| Sponsor premium, Grand Champion Market Beef | Extra $1,000 |
| Sponsor premium, Grand Champion Breeding Beef | Extra $500 |
| Skill-A-Thon and livestock judging | 1st $20 and medal, 2nd $15, 3rd $10, 4th-5th medal |
Laurel County Proud tag fees fund added premiums paid on the Danish system. The points-based Charles M. Cornett Award pays its top finisher a rosette, belt buckle, $100 and $500 from the Laurel County Cattlemen's Association.
Where
New Laurel County Fairgrounds, 1855 State Highway 229, London, Kentucky.
Questions
Can I show a bull or a buck?
No. Beef excludes bulls, goats are does or wethers only, and lambs are ewes or wethers.
Who do I call?
The Laurel County Extension Office, 606-864-4167, for youth categories, the exhibit hall, Laurel County Proud tags and forms.
Official Links
- 2026 Ag Fair Catalog: schedule, rules, classes and premiums
- Kentucky Department of Agriculture county fair beef show schedule: beef show dates and payouts
Kentucky County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Kentucky county fairs run from late May into August, with open beef shows listed by the state agriculture department from Taylor County on May 23 to Carter County on August 10 in 2026, per its show list. Dates may change.
State fair
The 2026 Kentucky State Fair ran August 20 to 30 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, per the fair listing. 4-H exhibitors must be 9 to 18 as of January 1, per the 4-H state fair rules.
Ownership and tags
Market goats, lambs and hogs have a May 20 ownership deadline and market steers and heifers March 18, per the UK ownership rules. Market entries need KUIP tags and a current-year health certificate.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office or FFA advisor for your fair book, tagging dates and sale rules.
Weights and entry rules differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Kentucky County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Southeast Kentucky Fair
Eight-day summer fair in London, Laurel County, with livestock, exhibits and midway. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 18 to 25, 2026.
202 Barbourville Rd, London, KY 40741 | 606-309-7518 | Organizer: Kentucky Association of Fairs and Horse Shows Official event details - Laurel County Ag Fair Swine Show
Market hog show at the Laurel County Ag Fair in London, Laurel County. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-07-24 at 09:00, so check with the fair board for the next schedule.
London, KY | Organizer: County fair board Official event details - Laurel County Ag Fair Sheep Show
Sheep show at the Laurel County Ag Fair in London, Laurel County. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-07-24 at 10:30, so check with the fair board for the next schedule.
London, KY | Organizer: County fair board Official event details - Laurel County Ag Fair Poultry Show
Poultry show with morning check-in at the Laurel County Ag Fair in London, Laurel County. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-07-22 at 09:30, so check with the fair board for the next schedule.
London, KY | Organizer: County fair board Official event details - Laurel County Ag Fair Rabbit Show
Rabbit show with morning check-in at the Laurel County Ag Fair in London, Laurel County. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-07-22 at 09:30, so check with the fair board for the next schedule.
London, KY | Organizer: County fair board Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.