What the Benton County Fair Is
The Benton County Fair in Corvallis is a 4-H fair held at the Benton County Fairgrounds. The 2026 edition ran Wednesday, July 29 through Saturday, August 1 under the theme "Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights." Members show market beef, sheep, swine and meat goats, enter static exhibits, compete in judging and marketing contests, and finish with the Lee Allen Memorial Youth Market Auction.
Ways to Take Part
- Market animal projects: beef, sheep, swine and meat goats. Horse is a separate 4-H project with its own horse fair held in July.
- Static exhibits: Family, Consumer Science, Arts and Sciences projects, open to all 4-H members. Members choose classes online and reserve an interview judging time slot. Judging was Saturday, July 25, 2026.
- Livestock judging contest: open to all 4-H members; tests selection of beef, sheep, swine and meat goats, with handbooks available.
- Marketing contest: open to animal science members. Members promote their animal to judges for presentation purposes only; no sale takes place and the animal must be present. Sign-up opens online in mid-July, and openings are first come on the fair-week bulletin board.
- Herdsmanship: a team contest where clubs are judged twice daily. Members do the work; parents and leaders may only supervise and teach.
- Master Showmanship: chooses top showmen to represent each species.
- Table setting contest: covers table setting, meal planning, theme creativity, public speaking and food safety.
- Milk Chug-A-Lug: teams of up to six; open to members, leaders and parents, sponsored by the Linn-Benton County Dairy Women.
Key Dates and Deadlines (2026 Edition)
| Date | What |
|---|---|
| May 26 | Online registration opens |
| June 1 | YQCA training deadline |
| June 12, midnight | Registration closes |
| July 15 | Auction book cover submissions due to the Extension office |
| July 25 | Static exhibit judging at the fairgrounds |
| July 29 to August 1 | Fair |
| August 1, 3:00 p.m. | Lee Allen Memorial Youth Market Auction |
Rules and Fees
Each member must register online to select classes, including horse. YQCA (Youth for the Quality Care of Animals) is required for all members in animal science projects; it is a statewide Oregon 4-H policy covering food safety, animal well-being and character awareness, and certificates are valid for three years. A judges' fee of $10 per member (not per species) applies to beef, sheep, swine and meat goat projects, collected at check-in in exact cash or check. Eligibility for the auction is spelled out in the 4-H Fair Book.
The Auction and Book Cover Contest
The Lee Allen Memorial Youth Market Auction helps 4-H and FFA members build life skills, responsibility, decision-making and record-keeping, and profits typically go back into projects or future educational expenses. Benton County 4-H members can also enter the auction book cover contest, which carries cash awards sponsored by the Dowless Family. Entries are black ink or pencil on 8.5 by 11 inch white paper with a small white border, must carry the title "2026 Lee Allen Memorial Youth Market Auction," the date, time and theme.
Camping
RV and tent camping is in the Oak Grove area for 4-H members and families. RVs 30 feet or shorter get priority placement, larger RVs go on a waitlist, and each club may be limited to a set number of trailers. Reservations go through the 4-H office with the fairgrounds. A fair information and camping packet is released in late May.
Questions
Is there an age limit?
No age requirements or divisions are published for the Benton County fair classes.
Does the marketing contest sell my animal?
No. It is a presentation contest only.
Who runs it?
Benton County 4-H, through the OSU Extension office.
Official Links
Oregon County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Oregon county fairs are where most 4-H and FFA exhibitors show and sell market animals. Each fair has its own book, but a few patterns hold.
Timing
Northeast Oregon fairs cluster from late July into early September, per a regional byway listing. The 2026 Oregon State Fair ran August 28 to September 7 in Salem, per KPTV.
Rules to watch
Union County's 2026 fair book requires 4-H enrollment by February 1, YQCA training, 60 days of care for sheep, goats and swine, and 120 for steers. Only blue and red ribbon animals sell, with a 4 percent commission.
State Fair
At the state level, the Oregon State Fair 4-H handbook says market hogs, steers, goats, lambs, rabbits and chickens go home with the exhibitor rather than selling, and 4-H animals need a YQCA certificate at check-in, per the combined fair book.
Next steps
Get your county fair book from the Extension 4-H office and mark every deadline. Dates and weights change each year.
Read the full guide: Oregon County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Philomath Frolic Rodeo
Philomath Frolic Rodeo brings professional and community rodeo action to Philomath in Benton County. Held each year; the most recent dates posted were 2027-07-08 to 2027-07-10, and organizers may adjust them.
Philomath, OR Official event details - Lee Allen Memorial Youth Auction
Held each year; the most recent sale was Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 3:00 pm during the Benton County Fair. Youth sell their market beef, sheep, swine and meat goat projects to buyers who support 4-H and FFA members.
Corvallis, OR | Organizer: Benton County 4-H Official event details - High Desert Stampede
High Desert Stampede brings professional and community rodeo action to Redmond in Deschutes County. Held each year; the most recent dates posted were 2027-03-31 to 2027-04-03, and organizers may adjust them.
Redmond, OR Official event details - Medford Pear Blossom Festival Street Fair
Spring street fair in Medford tied to the Pear Blossom celebration of Rogue Valley orchards. Held each year; the most recent dates posted were 2027-04-10 to 2027-04-11, and organizers may adjust them.
Medford, OR Official event details - Northwest Cherry Festival
Cherry-country festival in The Dalles celebrating the Columbia Gorge fruit season. Held each year; the most recent dates posted were 2027-04-23 to 2027-04-25, and organizers may adjust them.
The Dalles, OR Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.