How Indiana County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows Work
Indiana's youth livestock season runs from spring weigh-ins and ID days through county fairs in June and July, then on to the Indiana State Fair in August. According to the Indiana Farm Bureau's 2026 county fair guide, each of Indiana's 92 counties hosts a fair and most are held in July. Each county's Purdue Extension office and 4-H council write the local rules, so dates and deadlines below are examples to check against your own fair book.
2026 County Fair Dates
This sample comes from the Farm Bureau guide:
- Jennings County: June 7-12
- Brown and Floyd counties: June 8-13 and June 8-12
- Shelby County: June 15-20
- Bartholomew and Hancock counties: June 19-27
- Allen County: June 23-28
- Adams County: July 19-23
- Tippecanoe County: July 17-25
- Vanderburgh County: July 20-25
- Boone and Elkhart counties: July 26-August 1 and July 24-August 1
- Lake County: August 7-16
The guide notes that Daviess County has no fair in 2026 and that DeKalb County lists July 13-16 plus a second run September 28 to October 3. Counties announce next year's dates on their own pages, so confirm before you plan a trailer trip.
The Indiana State Fair
The 2026 Indiana State Fair ran August 7 to 23 at the fairgrounds in Indianapolis. The livestock show schedule put 4-H shows in a rolling order:
- Beef: showmanship August 7, heifer and steer show August 8-9
- Swine: barrow showmanship August 7 and barrow show August 8-9, then gilt showmanship August 14 and gilt show August 15-16
- Sheep: market lamb showmanship August 7, market lamb show August 8, wether dam show August 9, breeding show August 15-16
- Dairy cattle: August 16
- Dairy goats: August 21-23
- Meat goats: doe shows August 11-12
- Poultry: August 20-23
- Rabbits: August 14-15
The schedule is marked subject to change. Counties may send only a limited number of exhibits. The Harrison County handbook says the county sends one entry each in beef, dairy cattle, goat, horse, sheep and swine, and up to three in cat, dog, llama, poultry and rabbit, one per level.
Who Can Show
Indiana 4-H is open from third grade through grade 12, up to ten consecutive years, per Purdue's eligibility policy. Eligibility is based on grade, not age, and members enroll every year in 4-H Online. Mini 4-H covers kindergarten through second grade and is non-competitive. The Harrison County handbook says Mini 4-H members do not take part in Extension live livestock events other than horses.
Enrollment, Tagging and the May 15 Deadline
For the Indiana State Fair, animal ID information must be entered in Indiana 4-H Online by May 15 for all species, per Tipton County's 2026 animal ID chart, and missing or incorrect ID can make an animal ineligible. That chart lists these IDs:
- Steers and market heifers: 840 RFID tag, 5-digit county tag and a DNA hair sample
- Swine: 840 RFID tag, ear notch and DNA hair sample
- Market lambs and wether dams: 840 RFID tag, county tag and DNA hair sample
- Meat goat wethers: 840 RFID tag, county tag and DNA hair sample
- Horses, ponies, llamas and alpacas: two color pictures
County deadlines can be earlier. Harrison County, for example, held market beef weigh-in March 2 and ID or weigh-in for sheep, goats, breeding and feeder cattle and rabbits on May 7, per its 2026 handbook. Scott County's livestock rule book requires enrolling each project in 4-H Online by May 15, holds spring ID days for beef, goats, rabbits, sheep and swine, and asks for a BOAH premises ID number before ID day.
Ownership and Quality Assurance
Scott County requires that animals be owned by the 4-H member or a family partnership and kept in the exhibitor's continuous care from enrollment through the fair. It also requires IQLC in person or YQCA online, and without it you cannot exhibit or sell. Check whether your county charges a per-project fee; Scott County lists $10 per livestock project with a $50 late fee.
Health Rules
The state Board of Animal Health publishes the 2026 Indiana exhibition requirements. In short:
- Indiana animals do not need a BOAH certificate of veterinary inspection, though the show organizer may require one.
- Out-of-state animals need a CVI valid for 30 days, with the inspection no more than 10 days before it was issued.
- Cattle need an 840 RFID tag or an orange calfhood vaccination tag. Indiana cattle need no brucellosis or TB test.
- Sheep and goats need official scrapie ID. No testing is required.
- Poultry need a negative pullorum-typhoid test within 90 days, or NPIP clean flock origin. Waterfowl are exempt.
- Animals showing signs of infectious disease are ineligible.
BOAH asks you to confirm any extra organizer requirements at (317) 544-2400.
Show Week and the Auction
Check-in times are set by each fair. Harrison County opened livestock check-in on Friday, June 19 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with shows June 20 to 25 and the livestock auction on Thursday, June 25 at 6 p.m. Scott County held its premium-only auction on Friday of fair week at 6 p.m., with a maximum of two animals per exhibitor and one per project. It also says sold animals cannot show at the State Fair.
Practical Tips
- Enroll in 4-H Online first, then ask the Extension office for ID day dates before you buy an animal.
- Keep ID records, your YQCA or IQLC certificate and your health papers in one folder.
- Note the fair's barn times. Scott County, for example, keeps animals in barns from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Read your premium book, because entry limits and weigh-in windows differ by county.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the ID deadline for the State Fair?
The 2026 chart lists May 15, with entries made in Indiana 4-H Online.
Do I need a vet certificate for an Indiana animal?
BOAH does not require one for Indiana animals, but the show organizer may.
How old do I need to be to show?
Eligibility is by grade. 4-H starts in third grade and runs through grade 12.
Where do I find my fair book?
Ask your county Purdue Extension office.
Indiana Listings Covered by This Guide
- Jennings County Fair
The Jennings County Fair is held in Vernon from Sunday, June 7 to Friday, June 12, 2026, covering 6 days of 4-H and community fair activity. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 7 to June 12, 2026.
Vernon, IN Official event details - Vermillion County Fair
Fairgoers in Vermillion County gather in Cayuga for the 8-day county fair, June 13 through June 20, 2026 (Saturday to Saturday). Held each year; the most recent dates were June 13 to June 20.
Cayuga, IN Official event details - Brown County Fair
The Brown County Fair is held in Nashville from Monday, June 8 to Saturday, June 13, 2026, covering 6 days of 4-H and community fair activity. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 8 to June 13, 2026.
Nashville, IN Official event details - Floyd County Fair
Floyd County's annual fair opens Monday, June 8 and closes Friday, June 12, 2026 in New Albany, a 5-day run. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 8 to June 12, 2026.
New Albany, IN Official event details - Brown County Junior Livestock Shows
Held each year in Nashville; the most recent run was June 8-12, 2026, with swine, rabbit, goat, cattle, sheep and poultry shows and a Round Robin Showmanship contest on Friday.
802 Memorial Drive, Nashville, IN 47448 | 812-988-5495 | Organizer: Brown County 4-H Official event details - Bartholomew County Fair
The Bartholomew County Fair is held in Columbus from Friday, June 19 to Saturday, June 27, 2026, covering 9 days of 4-H and community fair activity. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 19 to June 27, 2026.
Columbus, IN Official event details - Hancock County Fair
Hancock County's annual fair opens Friday, June 19 and closes Saturday, June 27, 2026 in Greenfield, a 9-day run. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 19 to June 27, 2026.
Greenfield, IN Official event details - Steuben County Fair
Fairgoers in Steuben County gather in Angola for the 7-day county fair, June 19 through June 25, 2026 (Friday to Thursday). Held each year; the most recent dates were June 19 to June 25.
Angola, IN Official event details - Clark County Fair
Fairgoers in Clark County gather in Charlestown for the 8-day county fair, June 20 through June 27, 2026 (Saturday to Saturday). Held each year; the most recent dates were June 20 to June 27.
- Grant County Fair
Fairgoers in Grant County gather in Marion for the 8-day county fair, June 20 through June 27, 2026 (Saturday to Saturday). Held each year; the most recent dates were June 20 to June 27.
Marion, IN Official event details - Harrison County Fair
Fairgoers in Harrison County gather in Corydon for the 7-day county fair, June 20 through June 26, 2026 (Saturday to Friday). Held each year; the most recent dates were June 20 to June 26.
Corydon, IN Official event details - Orange County Fair
Fairgoers in Orange County gather in Paoli for the 7-day county fair, June 20 through June 26, 2026 (Saturday to Friday). Held each year; the most recent dates were June 20 to June 26.
Paoli, IN Official event details - Starke County Fair
Starke County's annual fair opens Saturday, June 20 and closes Friday, June 26, 2026 in Knox, a 7-day run. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 20 to June 26, 2026.
Knox, IN Official event details - Wayne County Fair
Mark June 20 to June 27, 2026 for the Wayne County Fair in Richmond (8 days, Saturday start). Held each year; the most recent dates were June 20 to June 27, 2026.
Richmond, IN Official event details - Orange County 4-H Fair
Week-long Orange County 4-H Fair on West Daniel Lane in Paoli, held in the third week of June ahead of most Indiana fairs. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 20-26, 2026.
293 W. Daniel Lane, Paoli, IN Official event details - Starke County 4-H Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were June 20-26, 2026. Starke County youth show projects and livestock at the Division Street fairgrounds in Hamlet during a week in late June.
400 Division St., Hamlet, IN | 574-772-9141 | Organizer: Starke County 4-H Official event details - Wayne County 4-H Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were June 20-27, 2026. Richmond-area 4-H fair on North Salisbury Road, running eight days in late June with livestock, clubs and project judging.
861 N. Salisbury Road, Richmond, IN | 765-489-5559 | Organizer: Wayne County 4-H Official event details - Dearborn County Fair
Fairgoers in Dearborn County gather in Lawrenceburg for the 6-day county fair, June 21 through June 26, 2026 (Sunday to Friday). Held each year; the most recent dates were June 21 to June 26.
Lawrenceburg, IN Official event details - Miami County Fair
The Miami County Fair is held in Peru from Sunday, June 21 to Saturday, June 27, 2026, covering 7 days of 4-H and community fair activity. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 21 to June 27, 2026.
Peru, IN Official event details - Scott County Fair
Fairgoers in Scott County gather in Scottsburg for the 7-day county fair, June 21 through June 27, 2026 (Sunday to Saturday). Held each year; the most recent dates were June 21 to June 27.
Scottsburg, IN Official event details - Miami County 4-H Fair
Early-summer Miami County 4-H Fair at the fairgrounds on West 200 North in Peru, one of the first county fairs on the Indiana calendar. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 21-27, 2026.
1029 W 200 N, Peru, IN Official event details - Shelby County Fair
The Shelby County Fair is held in Shelbyville from Monday, June 15 to Saturday, June 20, 2026, covering 6 days of 4-H and community fair activity. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 15 to June 20, 2026.
Shelbyville, IN Official event details - Warren County Fair
Warren County's annual fair opens Monday, June 15 and closes Saturday, June 20, 2026 in Williamsport, a 6-day run. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 15 to June 20, 2026.
Williamsport, IN Official event details - Allen County Fair
Fairgoers in Allen County gather in Fort Wayne for the 6-day county fair, June 23 through June 28, 2026 (Tuesday to Sunday). Held each year; the most recent dates were June 23 to June 28.
Fort Wayne, IN Official event details - Crawford County Fair
Crawford County's annual fair opens Tuesday, June 23 and closes Friday, June 26, 2026 in English, a 4-day run. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 23 to June 26, 2026.
English, IN Official event details - Tipton County Fair
The Tipton County Fair is held in Tipton from Tuesday, June 23 to Sunday, June 28, 2026, covering 6 days of 4-H and community fair activity. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 23 to June 28, 2026.
Tipton, IN Official event details - Marion County Fair
Mark June 26 to July 5, 2026 for the Marion County Fair in Indianapolis (10 days, Friday start). Held each year; the most recent dates were June 26 to July 5, 2026.
Indianapolis, IN Official event details - Ohio County Fair
Ohio County's annual fair opens Friday, June 26 and closes Saturday, July 4, 2026 in Rising Sun, a 9-day run. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 26 to July 4, 2026.
Rising Sun, IN Official event details - Pulaski County Fair
Pulaski County's annual fair opens Friday, June 26 and closes Wednesday, July 1, 2026 in Winamac, a 6-day run. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 26 to July 1, 2026.
Winamac, IN Official event details - Spencer County Fair
Mark June 26 to June 29, 2026 for the Spencer County Fair in Rockport (4 days, Friday start). Held each year; the most recent dates were June 26 to June 29, 2026.
Rockport, IN Official event details - Pulaski County 4-H Poultry Show
Poultry judging for Pulaski County 4-H members on the Friday opening of livestock week in Winamac. Held each year at the county fair; the most recent show was on June 26, 2026.
Winamac, IN | Organizer: Purdue Extension Pulaski County Official event details - Spencer County 4-H Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were June 26-29, 2026. A short four-day 4-H fair near Chrisney in southwest Indiana, running at the end of June with youth exhibits and animal shows.
1101 E County Road 800 N, Chrisney, IN | 812-362-8066 | Organizer: Spencer County 4-H Official event details - Monroe County Fair
Mark June 27 to July 5, 2026 for the Monroe County Fair in Bloomington (9 days, Saturday start). Held each year; the most recent dates were June 27 to July 5, 2026.
Bloomington, IN Official event details - Rush County Fair
Rush County's annual fair opens Saturday, June 27 and closes Saturday, July 4, 2026 in Rushville, a 8-day run. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 27 to July 4, 2026.
Rushville, IN Official event details - Pulaski County 4-H Swine Show
Saturday-morning swine show at the Winamac fairgrounds for Pulaski County junior exhibitors. Held each year at the county fair; the most recent show was on June 27, 2026.
Winamac, IN | Organizer: Purdue Extension Pulaski County Official event details - Pulaski County 4-H Goat Show
Afternoon goat show for Pulaski County 4-H youth following the morning swine class. Held each year at the county fair; the most recent show was on June 27, 2026.
Winamac, IN | Organizer: Purdue Extension Pulaski County Official event details - Pulaski County 4-H Sheep Show
Sunday-morning sheep show for Pulaski County 4-H exhibitors at the fairgrounds. Held each year at the county fair; the most recent show was on June 28, 2026.
Winamac, IN | Organizer: Purdue Extension Pulaski County Official event details - Pulaski County 4-H Beef Show
Sunday-evening beef cattle show for Pulaski County 4-H members in Winamac. Held each year at the county fair; the most recent show was on June 28, 2026.
Winamac, IN | Organizer: Purdue Extension Pulaski County Official event details - Pulaski County 4-H Horse and Pony Contesting
Sunday-afternoon horse and pony contesting classes for Pulaski County 4-H riders at the fairgrounds. Held each year at the county fair; the most recent show was on June 28, 2026.
Winamac, IN | Organizer: Purdue Extension Pulaski County Official event details - Pulaski County 4-H Rabbit Show
Monday-morning rabbit show for Pulaski County 4-H exhibitors. Held each year at the county fair; the most recent show was on June 29, 2026.
Winamac, IN | Organizer: Purdue Extension Pulaski County Official event details
Plus 122 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Indiana directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.