What the Tennessee State Junior Sheep Expo Is
The Tennessee Junior Sheep Expo is the statewide championship show for young sheep exhibitors. It runs at the Tennessee State Fair grounds in Lebanon and mixes ring competition with learning contests, so a family can show a registered ewe, a commercial ewe or a market lamb and also test what the young exhibitor knows. The 2026 expo was held August 12 to 15. The 2026 results list 498 animals from 175 exhibitors in 36 counties.
Ways to Compete
| Part of the expo | What it is |
|---|---|
| Registered Ewe Show | Registered ewes shown by breed, with a Registered Ewe County Group |
| Commercial Ewe Show | Crossbred ewes in white-face, black-face and hair divisions, with a county group |
| Market Lamb Show | Market lambs by breed and weight, with a county group; breed champions return for the grand drive |
| Showmanship | Registered showmanship, market-type showmanship and team showmanship |
| Skillathon | An individual knowledge contest given in each grade division |
| Sales Talk and Career Development Contest | Interview-style educational contests held in the Q Barn |
| Fleece Show and Costume Class | Extra contests on the program |
Showmanship and the skillathon are run in five grade divisions: Explorer (4th grade), Junior, Junior High, Senior Level 1 and Senior Level 2. The Premier Exhibitor award is given in each division for registered ewes, commercial ewes and market lambs, and rewards the exhibitor who combines a strong animal, showmanship and skillathon score. The Sheep Expo handbook describes the skillathon as a 100-point individual test covering feed, breed and meat identification, health and production practices and record keeping.
How It Works: The Schedule
Wednesday, August 12
Facilities open for arrival at 4 p.m. Sheep are penned in Barn X and the Large Covered Arena.
Thursday, August 13
Registered ewe check-in runs 7 to 10 a.m. in Barn X, and fleece check-in 8 to 11 a.m. The Registered Sheep Show starts at 11 a.m. in Barn X with registered showmanship, team showmanship, the registered ewe show and the registered ewe county group. The skillathon runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Sales Talk and Career Development Contest runs noon to 5 p.m., both in the Q Barn.
Friday, August 14
Market lamb and commercial ewe check-in and weigh-in is 7 to 9 a.m. in Barn X. The Market and Commercial Sheep Show starts at 10 a.m. with market-type showmanship, the commercial ewe show and county group, the market lamb show and county group, and the costume class. The skillathon continues 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and sales talk and career contests run 8 to 11 a.m.
Saturday, August 15
The Market Animal Grand Champion Drive is at 6 p.m. in the Large Covered Arena. Market lamb breed champions take part, and the skillathon, Premier Exhibitor, sales talk and career development winners are announced there.
Rules and What to Bring
- A current Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is required for every animal. Animals may not enter the barns until the paper is checked.
- Market lamb breed and reserve breed champions, and Tennessee Bred champions, must stay for the Saturday evening grand drive.
- Pens are shared, so use only the pens your sheep need. Tack pens were not expected to be available in 2026.
- Use the Livestock Gate on Tennessee Blvd. Families who leave and return across several days need a pass from Terry McPeak or other State Fair staff.
Fees, Awards and What You Get
There is no charge for livestock entry or driver entry at the 2026 expo. Limited RV hook-ups in the livestock area cost $15 per day, first come, first served. Entrants earn class placings, breed and grand champion honors, county group awards, skillathon and Premier Exhibitor recognition and the chance to compete in the grand drive. The 2026 Grand Champion Market Lamb was a Crossbred Black Face shown by Jayden Hesson.
Where
Tennessee State Fair grounds, Wilson County Fairgrounds, Lebanon, Tennessee.
Next Edition
The Wilson County Extension livestock page lists the next Tennessee Jr Sheep Expo for August 18 to 20, 2027 at the Tennessee State Fair in Lebanon. The same page lists a sheep tagging and entry deadline of May 25 for the 2026-2027 season and posts entry forms for registered ewes, market lambs and commercial ewes, plus scrape tag information.
Questions
Can younger kids take part?
Yes. The Explorer division is for 4th graders.
Who do I call?
Start with your county Extension office. The Wilson County Extension office, which posts the sheep entry forms, is at 615-444-9584.
Official Links
- 2026 Sheep Expo schedule
- Sheep Expo update, July 2026
- 2026 Sheep Expo complete results
- Sheep Expo handbook
- Wilson County 4-H livestock page: entry forms, deadlines and 2027 dates
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Boys From the South Sale
Lebanon hosts the Boys From the South Sale on November 28, 2026, one of the sales on the Tennessee Cattlemen's calendar.
Lebanon, TN Official event details - Wilson County 4-H Beef Show
County 4-H beef show for Wilson County youth, held June 8 in the 2026 show season and a step toward the Central Region beef show.
Lebanon, TN | Organizer: UT Extension Wilson County 4-H Official event details - Tennessee State 4-H Beef Expo
Statewide junior beef cattle show and contests for Tennessee 4-H members in Lebanon, July 9 to 11, 2026.
- Wilson County 4-H Sheep and Goat Show
County sheep and goat show on July 13, 2026, where Wilson County 4-H members show market animals before regional and state competition.
Lebanon, TN | Organizer: UT Extension Wilson County 4-H Official event details - Central Region 4-H Beef Show
Regional qualifying beef show for Middle Tennessee 4-H members, held July 8 and 9, 2026, in Lebanon just ahead of the state beef expo.
Lebanon, TN | Organizer: UT Extension 4-H Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.