What the Lamb BBQ Competition Is
The Missouri State Fair Lamb BBQ Competition is a cook-off that puts Missouri lamb on the grill. It is hosted by Missouri Sheep Producers together with the Missouri Sheep Merchandising Council and was first held as the 1st Annual contest on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at the Sheep Pavilion at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia. Teams of one to five people cook lamb supplied by the Council and turn it in for judging.
Divisions and Categories
| Division | Who | What you cook |
|---|---|---|
| Youth | Ages 8 to 18 | Leg of lamb, lamb burger and bone-in lamb chops |
| Adult (open) | Open to adults | Leg of lamb only |
How It Works: The Timeline
- May 1: fair-specific guidelines released.
- July 1: registration deadline.
- Sunday, August 16, 10:00 a.m.: check-in, east of the Sheep Pavilion Office.
- 2:30 p.m.: judging starts.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Teams bring their own equipment and pay their own fair admission and parking; a yellow hang tag is required.
- Teams must follow the 4-H and FFA code of conduct and bring a fire extinguisher.
- The Missouri Sheep Merchandising Council provides the meat.
Leg of lamb
Teams receive a bone-in leg and may cook it bone-in or boneless. Cook to at least 140 degrees F on a grill or with wood, charcoal or pellets. Entries may be pulled, sliced or chopped and must be turned in a Styrofoam container. Wet and dry brines, rubs, injections, BBQ sauce and marinades are allowed. No garnish.
Lamb burger (youth)
Turn in two large burgers, four small burgers or six sliders. Bread must be yeast-based, store-bought or homemade, with no identifying markings. Cheese, condiments, vegetables and eggs from a store container are allowed, but ingredients must fit within the bread's edges, overhanging no more than 1/4 inch. The turn-in box must close fully on its own, with no foreign objects such as toothpicks.
Bone-in lamb chops (youth)
Turn in two whole, uncut chops with visible searing or grill marks; propane flat tops are allowed. Light trimming is allowed only before cooking, and injections and brining are allowed. Chops may not be marked or branded. No sauce, garnish or foreign objects in the box, and the box must close fully on its own.
Fees, Awards and What You Get
The entry fee is $25 per team, paid at check-in.
| Award | Prize |
|---|---|
| Youth individual cuts | 1st $50, 2nd $25, 3rd $10 |
| Youth overall | 1st $250, 2nd $200, 3rd $150, 4th through 10th $50 each |
| Adult | 1st $100, 2nd $75, 3rd $50 |
Where
Sheep Pavilion, Missouri State Fairgrounds, 2503 W 16th Street, Sedalia, MO 65301. The Missouri State Fair ran August 13 to 23 in 2026.
Questions
Can adults cook chops or burgers?
No. The adult division is leg of lamb only.
Do I buy the lamb?
No. The Missouri Sheep Merchandising Council provides it.
Can I register on the day?
The registration deadline was July 1; the entry fee is paid at check-in.
Who do I call?
The State Fair office: 800-422-FAIR (3247).
Official Links
- 1st Annual MSF Lamb BBQ Competition: divisions, rules, prizes
- Livestock Entry and What's New in Livestock
- Competition Updates for 2026
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
- Missouri State Fair Market Goat Show
Boer market goat show held the day before the fair opens, at 11 a.m. Held each year; the most recent date was Wednesday, Aug 12, 2026.
- Missouri State Fair
Missouri's 122nd state fair on roughly 396 acres in Sedalia, with premier livestock shows, competitive exhibits, agribusiness displays, a carnival midway and concerts, running August 13-23 in 2026.
- Missouri State Fair IPRA Pro Rodeo
International Pro Rodeo Association performances in the Parson Arena at 6 p.m. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 13, 14 and 15, 2026, with $15 to $20 adult tickets.
- Missouri State Fair Zebra Camel and Ostrich Races
Free evening races with zebras, camels, ostriches, emus and ducks. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 17 and 18, 2026.
2503 W 16th Street, Sedalia, MO, Sedalia, MO 65301 | Organizer: Hedrick's Zebra, Camel, Ostrich, Emu & Duck Races Official event details - Missouri State Fair Knights of Valour Jousting Show
Mounted jousting performances in the state fair arena, $10 adult and $5 youth. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 19 and 20, 2026.
2503 W 16th Street, Sedalia, MO, Sedalia, MO 65301 | Organizer: Knights of Valour Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.