What the Angus Show Is
The Angus show is Division 101 of the beef cattle department at the State Fair of West Virginia, a ring for registered Angus breeding cattle. Females and bulls are judged in classes by birth date, then champions are named for each sex. It is an open show, so breeders and juniors can both bring registered cattle.
The most recent show was Tuesday, August 18, 2026, starting at 9:00 a.m. in the Large Livestock Arena.
Classes
| Group | What is shown |
|---|---|
| Cow/calf | Cows 3 years and younger, and cows 4 years and older, each with the cow's most recent natural calf, no more than 280 days old on show day. Grand and Reserve Grand Cow/Calf Pairs are named. |
| Heifers | Heifer calves, summer yearlings and yearlings, split into early and late birth-date classes, leading to a Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Female. |
| Bulls | The same birth-date ladder from bull calves to senior yearlings and two-year-olds, with Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Bull. |
| Groups | Junior Get-of-Sire (three animals by one sire), Get-of-Sire (four animals by one sire, both sexes) and Breeder Six Head. |
Rules That Apply
- The show follows the American Angus Association classifications effective July 16 to December 31, 2026. Only registered Angus that meet the age requirements earn premiums and count toward the number of head shown.
- A class with more than 15 head is divided as evenly as possible without splitting animals with the same birth date. If a division has more than 30 head it is split into Division 1, 2 and so on, and association staff decide the class breaks.
- A female that qualifies for the standard female classes cannot show in the cow/calf classes, but her calf may show in its own class.
- Grand and Reserve Grand Cow/Calf Pairs do not show for Grand Champion Female and cannot enter Get-of-Sire, Junior Get-of-Sire or Breeder Six Head.
- The exhibitor of a Breeder Six Head must be the breeder and first owner, identified by the same member code on the animals shown. Cattle bred and owned by a junior can be included if the exhibitor is the junior's parent or legal guardian.
- Exhibitors must be 7 years old on or before January of the show year. No one under 7 may enter animals or the show arena, and the fair may ask for proof of age.
- Every animal must be registered in the herd book of its breed. The date of birth on the registration certificate decides the class, tattoos are checked against the certificate at check-in, and any discrepancy bars the animal from showing.
- An exhibitor cannot win more than two premium monies in any one class.
Entry, Fees and Deadlines
- Entry fee: $20 per head, paid at entry, plus a one-time $10 processing fee per exhibitor for paper or online entries.
- 2026 entries opened May 27 and closed July 8. Late entries were taken until July 15 (a $50 late fee per junior exhibitor); none after midnight on July 15.
- Incomplete or incorrect entry forms are returned. Entry questions go to the Competitive Exhibits Department at 304-645-1090.
- Out-of-state cattle need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection good for 30 days with official identification listed. West Virginia cattle need no tuberculosis test unless the herd is under quarantine. Health questions: West Virginia Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division, 304-558-2214.
Premiums and Awards
Individual classes (not the championship classes) pay $80, $70, $60, $50 and $40 for first through fifth; group classes pay $80, $70 and $60. The judge's decision is final. Premium checks not cashed within 90 days are voided.
Questions
Do I need to send registration papers with my entry?
No. Papers do not have to be sent at entry, but the animal information on the entry form must be complete. Bring the certificates to check-in, where tattoos are matched against them.
What did a visit cost in 2026?
Tuesday, August 18 was Dollar Day, with gate admission at $1.00 all day. Children 10 and under are free every day.
Where and When
Large Livestock Arena, State Fair of West Virginia fairgrounds, 947 Maplewood Ave, Lewisburg, WV 24901, 3 miles south of Interstate 64 exit 169. Livestock trailers use Gate 5 (the Livestock Gate on 219 North); the parking permit costs $10 a day, with no overnight parking.
The fair's next edition is set for August 12-21, 2027.
Official Links
- Livestock Exhibitor's Guide and Premium Book 2026: classes, rules, fees and premiums
- Livestock Competitions: entry status and judges list
- FAQs and directions: fair dates, location and policies
- Tickets: gate prices and fair week specials
- Contact and Directions: office phone and shipping address
West Virginia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
West Virginia county fairs run from June into September, with samples in 2026 from the Mineral County Fair on June 16-20 to the Tyler County Fair July 27 to August 1, per their listings. Dates change yearly.
State Fair
The State Fair of West Virginia ran August 13 to 22, 2026, in Lewisburg. Junior shows ran from market goats on August 13-14 to market hogs and steers on August 16, per the livestock exhibitors guide.
Who can show
State Fair juniors must be enrolled in a West Virginia 4-H club or FFA chapter by March 1 and be at least 9 on the show date. Entries are online only.
Ownership and tags
Market steers and heifers had a March 1 ownership deadline in 2026, and most other market animals June 10. All market animals need an official RFID tag and a visual tag.
Health
Out-of-state animals need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, per the state agriculture department. Sheep and goats need scrapie ID.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office or FFA advisor for your fair book, tagging dates and sale rules. Weights and entry rules differ by fair.
Premiums, entry fees and showmanship rules vary, so read the current premium book before you pay.
Read the full guide: West Virginia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Greenbrier Valley GLCI Pasture Management Workshop
Pasture management workshop and field day at Master's Farm in Ronceverte with food and free raffles for attendees. Held each year; the most recent workshop ran June 20, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
635 Horshoe Bend Rd, Ronceverte, WV 24970 | Organizer: Greenbrier Valley GLCI Official event details - State Fair of West Virginia
Held each year at the fairgrounds near Lewisburg; the most recent dates were August 13-22, 2026, for the 101st annual fair. Livestock competitions, 4-H and FFA exhibits and concerts fill the ten days.
- State Fair of West Virginia Junior Market Goat Show
Youth market goat show (Division 575) in the Small Stock Arena; held each year, and the most recent show ran Thursday and Friday, August 13-14, 2026.
- State Fair of West Virginia Open Prospect Steer and Heifer Show
Open class prospect steer and heifer show opening the beef cattle week at the State Fair of West Virginia; most recent show was Sunday, August 16, 2026, in the Large Livestock Arena.
- State Fair of West Virginia Junior Market Steer and Heifer Show
Market steers, market heifers and performance steers (Divisions 560-562) are judged in the Large Stock Arena; most recent show was Sunday, August 16, 2026.
All West Virginia events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.