What the Junior Purebred Sheep Show Is
The Junior Purebred Sheep Show is where 4-H and FFA members show registered breeding sheep at the State Fair of West Virginia, as opposed to market lambs. The most recent show was Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 6 p.m. in the Small Stock Arena. Purebred sheep showmanship is Division 574.
Who Can Enter
- Exhibitors must be current members of a West Virginia 4-H club or FFA chapter, enrolled by March 1 of the show year, with a current project that meets State Fair requirements. 4-H members are youth born between October 1, 2004 and June 30, 2017. FFA members stay eligible until November 30 following the fourth National FFA Convention after high school graduation.
Rules
- Ownership by June 10, 2026. Purebred sheep must be owned and have registration papers in the name of the individual exhibitor or the family flock name. Superintendents check the papers against the entry sheets at check-in.
- All sheep must be registered in the recognized herd books of their breeds. Exhibitors can enter no more than two animals per class in each breed.
- A breed show needs five or more head; otherwise the sheep show in All Other Purebreds.
- Teeth are inspected to verify age.
- Lambs shown in market classes cannot be shown in the purebred show.
- Lambs' tails must be docked for cleanliness and fly-strike prevention, though cosmetic, excessively short docking is unacceptable. Superintendents can remove prolapsed animals at any time.
- Scrapie ID (ear tag or tattoo) is required before the sheep leave the farm. Out-of-state sheep also need a veterinary inspection certificate good for 30 days.
- Juniors showing in open breeding classes must meet open show registration rules and pay open show entry fees at entry. The open sheep show charges $6 per head and pays $35, $30, $25, $20 and $15 for first through fifth.
Showmanship Matters
A junior must show in Sheep Showmanship to receive premium money in the sheep show. An exhibitor with both purebred sheep and market lambs must show in both showmanship contests to receive premiums and be eligible for Premier Exhibitor. Showmanship contestants wear clean dress shirts or blouses and dark trousers (jeans are acceptable), and may show with or without a halter. Management may cancel the showmanship division if fewer than five enter.
Entering and Fees
- Junior entries are online only; paper entries are not accepted. 2026 entries opened May 27 and closed at midnight on July 8. Late entries were accepted until midnight on July 15 with a $50 late fee per junior exhibitor, and none after that.
- Fees: $15 entry fee for every exhibitor in the Junior Show, plus a one-time $10 processing fee. Exhibitors collect an exhibitor packet when they arrive at the fair.
- Each junior livestock exhibitor receives a five-day complimentary admission ticket.
Same Night
The Shepherd's Lead Competition runs earlier the same evening in the Small Stock Arena, and gate admission on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 was $1.00 all day for Dollar Day.
Where and When
Small Stock 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
- Tickets: gate prices and fair week specials
- Fair FAQs and directions: location and policies
- Scholarship and Awards: State Fair scholarships for junior show participants
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.