About this event
Junior Sheep Showmanship is an EYO event at the Oklahoma State Fair, judged in the Barn 1 Arena (Ring A) at OKC Fair Park, 3001 General Pershing Blvd, Oklahoma City. The superintendent is Darin Annuschat. The 2026 EYO sheep showmanship judge was Destyn Emerson of Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Dates, deadlines and schedule
The 2026 contest was Friday, September 18 at 3 p.m. No pre-entry is required: exhibitors show up by grade when their class is called, although each animal and exhibitor must be entered in an individual class in the sheep shows. The fair ran September 17 to 27.
Every date on this page is from the 2026 edition, which has now been held. The 2027 dates were not yet published in the sources checked, so treat the pattern below as a guide and confirm the new schedule before you plan a trip.
Divisions
- Senior: 12th grade and post high school, 11th, 10th
- Intermediate: 9th, 8th, 7th
- Junior: 6th, 5th, and 3rd to 4th
- Pee Wee: kindergarten to 2nd grade, ages 4 to 7
Division champions get rosettes. The top ten in each class get ribbons, and the overall champion and reserve showman receive a banner, an OSF medallion and a special award. Pee Wee exhibitors need signed parent permission, pay no entry fee (the family still buys a fair ticket), and may borrow an animal.
Tips for exhibitors and families
- Slapping or aggressive hitting of lambs is prohibited; the first offense brings a written warning and a signed acknowledgment, and a second disqualifies all of that exhibitor's sheep. Fingertip tapping is allowed.
- Market wether lambs were due in place with cards due by noon the same day, and the market sheep classification ran 1 to 2 p.m., so showmanship at 3 p.m. falls right after the check-in rush.
- The Round Robin Showmanship on Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Performance Arena is open to the overall junior sheep champion, so stay through the weekend if you place well.
- Clean pressed jeans and a collared shirt are the fair's 4-H/FFA dress standard.
Official links
Oklahoma County and State Fairs: The Essentials
Most Oklahoma counties hold a county or free fair, usually run by the local OSU Extension office and a fair board. A fair book (premium list) sets the divisions, entry dates and rules, and many fairs combine open class, 4-H and FFA entries.
Examples
The 2026 Oklahoma County Free Fair book says admission is free and no entry fee is charged. Junior livestock exhibitors must be 8 by July 1 and be 4-H or FFA members, and junior livestock class premiums run from $40 to $15, with $200 for grand champion. Wagoner County requires original health documents current within 30 days, and a written protest needs a $100 deposit. Tulsa County's fair started in 1903 and offers ribbons for first through fifth place.
State fair
The 2026 Oklahoma State Fair runs September 17-27. Livestock entries have separate deadlines, such as August 21 for 2026 junior steers, so read the guide for your species. Check your county's fair book for current dates.
Read the full guide: Oklahoma County and State Fairs: What to Expect
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Oklahoma Youth Expo
Premier statewide junior livestock show for 4-H and FFA exhibitors at the Oklahoma City fairgrounds; the next edition is listed for March 10-19, 2027.
- Farm City Festival
Farm City Festival in Oklahoma City on February 12 during Farm Bureau Week, connecting urban visitors with agriculture.
Oklahoma City, OK | Organizer: Oklahoma Farm Bureau Official event details - Oklahoma City Farm Show
Farm show with more than 250 exhibitors held at the OKC Fairgrounds after moving to earlier March dates.
- Oklahoma Farm-to-Table Festival
Local food and farm festival in Oklahoma City listed for March 20. Dates come from a festival guide listing and are not yet confirmed by organizers.
Oklahoma City, OK Official event details - Ag Day at the Capitol
Agriculture advocacy and promotion day at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City, listed for April 29, 2026.
Oklahoma City, OK | Organizer: Oklahoma Farm Bureau Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.