What the ND Junior Sheep Show Is
The ND Junior Sheep Show is a youth breeding sheep show held during the North Dakota State Fair in Minot. It is Division P of the fair's sheep department, and you do not have to be in a 4-H or FFA point show to take part. The most recent show was Friday, July 24, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the Expo Barn. Class champions advance to division champion, and division champions compete for overall champion.
Who Can Enter
- Youth no older than 21 as of October 1, 2025.
- Membership in a point show is not required.
- Animals must be exhibited in the officially recorded owner's name, and registered sheep need association papers at check-in.
- Every sheep needs an official scrapie ear tag. Written tags are not accepted.
- An animal may be shown in only one breed. Age is figured from September 1.
How to Enter and Deadlines
- Monday, July 6, 5:00 p.m.Online entries close at ndstatefair.fairwire.com. Late entries are accepted until 5:00 p.m. Friday, July 10, at triple the normal fees, with no stall guarantee.
- Thursday, July 16, 3:00 p.m.Barns open. Early arrivals and early releases are not allowed.
- Friday, July 24, 4:00 p.m.ND Junior Sheep Show, Expo Barn.
Stall fees and vehicle passes are bought on the items page during registration, and livestock vehicle passes must be requested in advance because they are not sold at the gate. Livestock trailers park off the grounds, and one load/unload pass is available per family. Tack unloaded from off the grounds is limited to 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Fees
The entry fee is $7 per head. For comparison, the fair's open breeding classes cost $4 per head and open market classes $7.
Awards and What You Get
The North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association gives $150 to the Champion Overall Breeding Ewe and $100 to the Reserve Champion. Membership information is at ndsheep.org. Premium checks from the fair are mailed in September.
Rules in the Barn
- Sheep are stalled by head count; tack or fitting pens are allowed only if space permits.
- Exhibit animals may not be muzzled, and fans of any type are banned from barn aisles.
- Animals with warts, ringworm or infectious eye or skin lesions are dismissed at the vet inspection.
- Rams 12 months and older crossing state lines need a Brucella ovis test or flock-of-origin status.
Other Sheep Events That Week
- Shepherd's Lead and Decorator's Class, Sunday, July 19, noon. Scripts must reach the class coordinators by 8:30 a.m. that day.
- Wool Show: $2 per fleece, delivered to the Expo Barn by 10:00 a.m. Sunday, July 19.
- 4-H/FFA Sheep Show, Wednesday, July 22, noon.
- Top of Dakota Lamb and Pig Show, Saturday, July 25, 4:00 p.m.
Where
Expo Barn, North Dakota State Fairgrounds, Minot, North Dakota. The 2026 fair ran July 17-25; the next dates have not been announced.
Questions
Do I need to be in 4-H or FFA?
No. Membership in a point show is not required.
How old can an exhibitor be?
No older than 21 as of October 1, 2025.
What does it cost?
$7 per head, plus any stall fee and vehicle pass.
Who do I call?
The North Dakota State Fair office, (701) 857-7620.
Official Links
- 2026 sheep book: Division P, fees and rules
- 2026 livestock schedule
- How to enter
- 2026 4-H/FFA Livestock Exhibit Book: health and sheep ID rules
North Dakota County Fairs: The Essentials
North Dakota county fairs run from June into the fall and combine an open class, a 4-H division run by NDSU Extension, and often FFA exhibits. Each county sets its own fair book, dates and deadlines, so get yours from the Extension office early. History: laws from 1897 and 1905 let county commissioners levy taxes to support county fairs.
Examples
Grant County's 2025 fair (August 14-17, Carson) required six club meetings, set market beef ownership at March 1 and other species at May 1, and used interview judging for static projects. Cass County's 2021 Red River Valley Fair opened registration June 1 and paid static blue $3.50, red $2.50 and white $1.50.
State fair
The 2026 North Dakota State Fair ran July 17-25 in Minot. Static exhibits needed a blue ribbon or higher at a county event supervised by Extension, and exhibitors needed to be enrolled in 4-HOnline. Livestock entries were due May 1, with YQCA or equivalent quality assurance training required, and premiums were mailed in September. Read your county book for the dates that apply locally and for any residency rules before you enter.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- North Dakota Farm Bureau Living Ag in the Classroom Minot
A Living Ag in the Classroom session in Minot for teachers. Next session posted for January 27, 2027; the city comes from the event title.
Minot, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Farm Bureau Official event details - Ward County 4-H Air Rifle and Pistol Match
County 4-H shooting sports match held February 21, 2026, at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot, with a Fun Match for all ages at 1 p.m.
2005 E Burdick Expy, Minot, ND 58701 | Organizer: Ward County 4-H Official event details - Rodeo Minot
Friday brings an NDRA rodeo and Saturday a PRCA rodeo at the State Fair Center, with adult tickets at $15 and $20. Held each year; the most recent dates were April 10-11, 2026.
2005 Burdick Expressway East, Minot, ND 58701 | 701-857-8206 Official event details - Ward County 4-H Achievement Days
The 94th annual Ward County 4-H Achievement Days ran June 12-18, 2026, at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds with 264 members showing projects, horses and livestock; free to attend.
Minot, ND | Organizer: Ward County 4-H Official event details - NDSA Spring Roundup Berthold
NDSA District 6 spring roundup in Berthold, a free cattlemen's meeting that starts with a 5 p.m. social. Held each year; the most recent roundup was 2026-06-08.
210 Main Street, Berthold, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Stockmen's Association Official event details
All North Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.