What the Benton County 4-H and FFA Fair Is
The Benton County 4-H and FFA Fair, also called the Benton County 4-H and FFA Youth Fair, is the county showcase for 4-H and FFA members in Lincoln. Youth show livestock, dogs, horses, poultry and rabbits, enter project exhibits, compete for fair royalty, and finish the week with a premium livestock sale. The fair is held at the fairgrounds on Park Street in Lincoln. The 2026 fair is set for June 17 to 20; the 2025 fair ran June 25 to 28.
How the Week Runs
- Pre-registration closes about two weeks outIn 2025 entries were due June 1 through the ShoWorks system, with no faxes. Late entries carry a $10 fee per exhibitor per department, except horses.
- Wednesday: dogsCheck-in 5:00 to 5:30 p.m., show at 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday: sheep, goats, swine and horsesSheep and goat check-in and weigh-in 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., shows from 10:00 a.m. Swine check-in 7:00 to 8:00 a.m., show 9:00 a.m. Horse check-in 2:30 p.m., show 4:30 p.m. Conference judging of non-livestock projects runs 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and Vo-Ag and cured meats check in the same evening.
- Friday: poultry, rabbits and royaltyCheck-in 7:00 to 8:00 a.m., shows at 9:00 a.m. The royalty coronation is at 6:00 p.m., followed by the cake and ice cream social.
- Saturday: beef, dairy and the saleBucket calf, beef and dairy check-in and weigh-in 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. The bucket calf show is at 9:00 a.m., then beef, then dairy. Sale pictures at 4:00 p.m., dinner at 4:30 p.m., auction at 5:30 p.m.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Exhibitors must be active, dues-paying 4-H or FFA members in good standing. In-county entries are limited to Benton County club or chapter members or Benton County residents.
- Animals must be owned by the exhibitor and enrolled as a current-year project. Horses may be leased with a lease authorization on file at the county extension office by May 1.
- Livestock exhibitors may enter two animals per class, and exhibitors show their own animals.
- Clover Kids may exhibit in most classes but cannot show livestock (except poultry, dogs, rabbits, pets and Pee Wee classes). They earn ribbons but no premiums and pay no entry fees.
- Most animals need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection valid for 30 days. Sheep and goats need scrapie ID. Poultry need a pullorum-typhoid test within 90 days. Dogs need a rabies vaccination. Horses need a current EIA test within 12 months.
- A Show-Me Quality Assurance certificate is required for beef and dairy.
- Irritants, sedatives and stimulants are banned. A positive drug test forfeits winnings.
Fees, Premiums and Awards
Premiums pay $0.50 per point, with blue, red and white ribbons judged by the Danish system. Beef entry fees are $5 per head in county or $10 out of county; other entry fees are per animal. The Bucket Calf show is for ages 12 and under with bottle-fed calves born March 1 to June 2, 2025, scored 25 percent presentation, 25 percent calf condition and 50 percent member knowledge.
Royalty contest
King and Queen candidates are 14 to 21; Prince and Princess are 8 to 13. Candidates must be Benton County 4-H or FFA members. Scoring is 35 percent participation chart, 35 percent resume and 30 percent interview. The King and Queen each receive a $200 scholarship paid to the college.
The Livestock Sale
The Saturday sale is open to Benton County 4-H or FFA members ages 8 to 21 as of January 1 who earned a blue ribbon. Each exhibitor may sell two items. Eligible items are market steers and heifers, market dairy steers, market lambs, market hogs, poultry and rabbit meat pens, meat goats, and country cured hams and bacon slabs. A 10 percent commission comes out of premium checks. Exhibitors must find buyers, attend the sale, and bring a dessert for the auction. Steers and heifers must weigh 1,000 pounds or gain 2.25 pounds per day to sell, and market hogs need 210 pounds.
Open to Everyone
The Ice Cream Freezing Contest on Friday evening and the Celebrity Chocolate Cake Contest are open to the public with no entry fee. Cake prizes are $10 and $5, and the grand and reserve champion cakes are auctioned.
Where
Benton County Fairgrounds, Park Street, Lincoln, MO. Mailing address: PO Box 53, Lincoln, MO 65338. Concession proceeds benefit the fair, and alcohol and drugs are prohibited.
Questions
Do I have to pre-register?
Yes. Pre-registration is required, and entries after the deadline cost an extra $10 per exhibitor per department.
Can I sell an animal I did not show?
No. Sale items must be blue ribbon winners.
Where do I find weather or cancellation news?
On the Benton County 4-H and FFA Fair Facebook page.
Official Links
- 2025 Benton County Fair Book: schedule, rules, classes and sale rules
- Event listing: 2026 dates and location
Missouri County Fairs and State Fair Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Fair dates
Missouri county fairs run through the summer. In 2026 the Benton County fair in Lincoln was June 17 to 20 and the Livingston County fair in Chillicothe was July 11 to 17, per fair listings. The Missouri State Fair in Sedalia ran August 13 to 23, per the News Tribune.
Who can show
State Fair 4-H members must have passed their 8th birthday but not their 19th before January 1, and food animal exhibitors need Show-Me Quality Assurance, per the livestock rules.
Deadlines
State Fair livestock entries were due July 13 at 5:00 p.m. with no late entries. Beef steer ownership is March 1 and swine May 1.
Health and sale rules
Cattle and swine need a veterinary inspection certificate dated within 30 days of the show, and needles are not allowed in the barns. A market animal that has been offered for sale cannot be shown at the State Fair.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office for your fair book, ownership dates and weigh-in details.
Rules differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Missouri County Fairs and State Fair Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Sale at Carthage
Regional Show-Me-Select replacement heifer sale held at Joplin Regional Stockyards, Inc. in Carthage, coordinated by Patrick Davis. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-11-20.
- Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Sale at Kingsville
Regional Show-Me-Select replacement heifer sale held at Kingsville Livestock Auction in Kingsville, coordinated by David Hoffman. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-11-21.
Kingsville, MO | Organizer: MU Extension Show-Me-Select program Official event details - Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Sale at Fruitland
Regional Show-Me-Select replacement heifer sale held at SEMO Livestock Sales, LLC in Fruitland, coordinated by Audy Spell. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-12-04.
Fruitland, MO | Organizer: MU Extension Show-Me-Select program Official event details - Missouri Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
Missouri Farm Bureau members gather at Margaritaville Lake Resort for the 2026 annual meeting, with a trivia night on Dec 6. Scheduled Dec 5-8, 2026.
- Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Sale at Kirksville
Regional Show-Me-Select replacement heifer sale held at Kirksville Livestock, LLC in Kirksville, coordinated by Zac Erwin. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-12-11.
Kirksville, MO | Organizer: MU Extension Show-Me-Select program Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.