What the Prospect Show Is
The Prospect Steer and Heifer Show (Divisions 107 and 108) opens beef week at the State Fair of West Virginia. It judges young feeder calves rather than breeding cattle: steers and heifers that exhibitors are growing out as show prospects. Open and junior feeders show separately. The most recent show was Sunday, August 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Large Livestock Arena.
Open Show: Who and What
- Steers and heifers must be born after January 1, 2026, weaned before the show, and weigh 350 to 700 pounds. All are weighed at check-in.
- Steers must be properly dehorned and castrated. All animals must be halter-broke.
- An exhibitor may enter up to five head in each show. Animals are divided into weight classes at the fair.
- Exhibitors must be 7 years old by January of the show year.
Classes and Premiums
| Steers | Heifers |
|---|---|
| Light Weight Steer Division | Light Weight Heifer Division |
| Medium Weight Steer Division | Medium Weight Heifer Division |
| Heavy Weight Steer Division | Heavy Weight Heifer Division |
| Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Prospect Steer | Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Prospect Heifer |
Placings pay $80, $70 and $60 for first through third, except in the championship classes.
The Junior Prospect Show
The junior version (Divisions 14 and 15) is held the same Sunday in the same arena, with the same light, medium and heavy divisions for steers and heifers and Grand and Reserve Grand Champions. It is for West Virginia 4-H and FFA members and has its own rules:
- Feeder steers must weigh 350 to 650 pounds, and be dehorned, castrated and healed.
- Each exhibitor may show up to three animals. Ownership deadline is June 10.
- Only exhibitors are allowed in the make-up area, and aerosol products may not be used on animals there.
- Entries are online only, due July 8 (late until July 15 with a $50 late fee), with a $15 junior entry fee. Youth must be enrolled in a current 4-H or FFA project by March 1.
- Feeder calf exhibitors also show in showmanship, which is required to take part in other junior classes and the youth livestock sale.
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.
Questions
Can my steer be intact?
No. Steers must be castrated and, in the junior show, healed.
What did gate admission cost?
Sunday, August 16, 2026 was $15 at the gate. Children 10 and under are free.
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 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.
- State Fair of West Virginia Junior Market Hog Show
Youth market hog show (Division 563) in the Small Stock Arena on the same Sunday as the market steer class; the most recent date was August 16, 2026.
All West Virginia events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.