How Ohio County Fairs and Junior Livestock Shows Work
Ohio's fair season is one of the longest in the country. The Ohio Department of Agriculture's 2026 schedule covers 94 county fairs and independent fairs plus the Ohio State Fair, and the season runs from the Paulding County Fair, June 6 to 13, to the Fairfield County Fair in Lancaster, October 11 to 17, per Spectrum News. The peak weeks in late July and early August are crowded, with several fairs running at once. Each junior fair is run locally, with county OSU Extension offices publishing project requirements, and each fair publishes its own fair book, so the dates and rules below are examples. Confirm yours before you load the trailer.
Sample 2026 County Fair Dates
- Paulding County Fair: June 6 to 13
- Pickaway County Fair: June 20 to 27, with move-in and weigh-in Saturday, June 20, per its junior fair summary
- Lucas County Fair: July 13 to 19, per its livestock rules
- Highland County Fair: September 6 to 12, per the 2026 fair schedule announcement
- Meigs County Fair: weigh-ins August 15 and livestock auction August 22, per its 2026 rules
- Fairfield County Fair: October 11 to 17
The Ohio State Fair
The 2026 Ohio State Fair ran July 29 to August 9 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus. The preliminary livestock schedule condensed competitions into a 15-day window from July 19 to August 9, with junior horse and dog shows from July 19 to 25, beef starting July 25 and the Sale of Champions on August 9. Check the fair's official schedule for exact session times.
The Sale of Champions raised $396,500 in 2026, and $267,500 of that, the amount above exhibitor caps, went to the Virgil L. Strickler Youth Reserve Program, per the fair's results announcement. Grand champions that year included a market beef from Gallia County and a market barrow from Henry County, each selling for $50,000 or more.
State fair rules are separate from county rules. Per the fair's pygmy goat page, junior entries are made online, need confirmation from an FFA advisor or 4-H Extension professional and are not accepted late. Entries for that division closed June 21 at 1 p.m. (other divisions can differ), and a virtual and an in-person skillathon were on the schedule. The 4-H Animal Sciences team published a 2026 skillathon calendar running from July 20 for horse and dog to August 8 for rabbit.
Statewide Rules
The Ohio Youth Livestock Exhibition Rules Overview, a 2024 summary of Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 901-19, sets the common ground:
- Enrollment: youth must be enrolled in the matching project by the county deadline. A market steer entry needs market beef enrollment, not beef breeding alone.
- Ownership: market, dairy and owned breeding animals must be owned by the exhibitor or household and in the exhibitor's custody by the possession deadline, with a bill of sale or registration. Daily care must come from the exhibitor from that date through the end of the show or sale.
- Quality Assurance (QA): required for youth showing market animals in terminal or partial terminal shows and for those exhibiting lactating dairy animals. It must be completed at least 45 days before the exhibition starts, and no earlier than October 1 of the previous calendar year. For the Ohio State Fair, the 45 days count from the first livestock exhibition.
- Leasing: leasing market animals is not permitted. Breeding or dairy leases are allowed only if the county permits, with the lease on file at least 60 days before exhibition.
- One animal, one youth: an animal can be used by only one youth, and in only one project, per year.
- 4-H and FFA: members in both should show different species, or market animals in one and breeding animals in the other. Showing the same market goat in both is not allowed.
Counties can add their own rules. Pickaway County, for instance, requires a livestock Skillathon for all 4-H and FFA exhibitors, and the Ohio State Fair requires the Skillathon for each project shown at state.
County Ownership, Tagging and Entry Dates
This is where counties differ most, so use these as examples only. Lucas County set 2026 ownership dates of January 1 for market beef and dairy beef steers, March 15 for dairy beef feeders, May 1 for swine, sheep, goats and turkeys, May 15 for beef feeders, May 26 for rabbits and June 1 for chickens, ducks and geese. Online junior fair registration and QA were both due May 15.
Fayette County held market steer and heifer tag-in on December 6, 2025, feeder calves, lambs and goats on May 2, and ID materials for market hogs by May 15. Its fair entries were due June 5, with late entries to June 10 for a $25 fee, and Ohio State Fair entries due June 21. Adams County tagged market beef on December 27 and goats, sheep and feeder calves on May 2. In Meigs County, market beef and dairy tag-in was December 17, 2025, and QA was due June 1.
The lesson is simple. For some projects, you must own the animal in winter, so talk to your Extension office or FFA advisor before the holidays, not after.
Limits and Health Paperwork
Entry limits vary. Pickaway County caps an exhibitor at 10 animals, no more than 5 of them market animals, and 2 market animals per species, with poultry exceptions. Lucas County allows two market beef and three swine or sheep, among other limits. Check your fair book.
Market animals, lactating dairy animals and market poultry or rabbits generally require a Drug Use Notification Form, known as the DUNF. The Pickaway summary warns that a DUNF with incomplete or incorrect drug information disqualifies the animal. Animals must meet Ohio Department of Agriculture health rules and show no sign of infectious disease. Lucas County also asks for hatchery documentation or a negative pullorum test within 90 days for market poultry, and requires scrapie identification for sheep and goats. Lucas County also requires an 840 EID tag on cattle and swine market projects starting in 2026.
Weigh-In, Sale Day and Fees
- Weigh-in: Lucas County uses one official weigh-in on the Sunday before the fair, with no re-weighs. Pickaway holds move-in and weigh-in the first Saturday.
- Late entries: Pickaway charges $25 per entry after June 1, with none accepted after the first Saturday of the fair.
- The sale: exhibitors must usually be present and show to sell. Meigs County charges a 3% commission capped at $500, and Lucas County charges yardage fees of 5% to 7% on animals.
- Pen cleaning: Pickaway charges $50 per pen for missing final cleanup deadlines.
Practical Tips
- Enroll in 4-H or FFA first, then ask for the livestock requirement sheet for your county.
- Put QA, tagging, ownership and registration dates on one calendar the day you get them.
- Keep your bill of sale, tag records, project book and DUNF together.
- Complete QA early. Some counties set their deadline months before the fair.
- Plan sale day: know your buyers and your thank-you notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fairs does Ohio have?
The 2026 schedule listed 94 county and independent fairs plus the Ohio State Fair.
When does Quality Assurance have to be done?
At least 45 days before the exhibition starts, and no earlier than October 1 of the previous year, per the statewide overview. Counties may set their own earlier deadline.
Can I lease a market animal?
No. Leasing market animals is not permitted under any circumstances.
Where do I find my county fair book?
Ask your county OSU Extension office or FFA advisor, or check your fair's website.
Ohio Listings Covered by This Guide
- Paulding County Fair
The Paulding County Fair is held in Paulding, Paulding County, with the annual junior fair and livestock exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 6-13, 2026.
Paulding, OH Official event details - Pickaway County Fair
Pickaway County's yearly fair takes place at the fairgrounds in Circleville. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 20-27, 2026.
Circleville, OH Official event details - Hamilton County Fair
The Hamilton County Fair is held in Carthage, Hamilton County, with the annual junior fair and livestock exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 25-28, 2026.
Carthage, OH Official event details - Harrison County Junior Fair Livestock Sale
Harrison County 4-H and FFA members sell their market animals on the Friday of fair week in Cadiz. Held each year; the most recent sale was June 26, 2026, at 1:00 PM.
- Marion County Fair
Marion County's yearly fair takes place at the fairgrounds in Marion. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 28 to July 4, 2026.
Marion, OH Official event details - Harrison County Fair
Fair week for Harrison County is based in Cadiz, drawing local exhibitors and visitors. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 22-27, 2026.
Cadiz, OH Official event details - Putnam County Fair
Putnam County Fair takes place in Ottawa in late June, one of the earliest county fairs of the year; 2026 dates are June 22-27.
Ottawa, OH Official event details - Clinton County Fair
Fair week for Clinton County is based in Wilmington, drawing local exhibitors and visitors. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 11-18, 2026.
Wilmington, OH Official event details - Madison County Fair
Madison County Fair in London, 2026: The London fair runs eight days in mid-July with a junior fair that includes 4-H livestock projects. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-07-11 to 2026-07-18.
London, OH Official event details - Adams County Fair
The Adams County Fair is held in West Union, Adams County, with the annual junior fair and livestock exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 12-18, 2026.
West Union, OH Official event details - Logan County Fair
Logan County's yearly fair takes place at the fairgrounds in Bellefontaine. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 12-18, 2026.
Bellefontaine, OH Official event details - Lawrence County Fair
Fair week for Lawrence County is based in Proctorville, drawing local exhibitors and visitors. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 13-18, 2026.
Proctorville, OH Official event details - Lucas County Fair
The Lucas County Fair is held in Maumee, Lucas County, with the annual junior fair and livestock exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 13-19, 2026.
Maumee, OH Official event details - Trumbull County Fair
Trumbull County's yearly fair takes place at the fairgrounds in Cortland. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 14-19, 2026.
Cortland, OH Official event details - Montgomery County Fair
Montgomery County Fair in Dayton, 2026: The Dayton-area fair runs six days in mid-July, bringing 4-H and FFA exhibits to Montgomery County. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-07-14 to 2026-07-19.
Dayton, OH Official event details - Lawrence County Junior Fair Livestock Sale
Buyers check in from 9:00 to 10:00 AM for sales of rabbits, lambs, goats, hogs, steers and poultry; payment is due by July 31. Held each year; the most recent sale was July 18, 2026.
- Ottawa County Fair
The Ottawa County Fair is held in Oak Harbor, Ottawa County, with the annual junior fair and livestock exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 19-26, 2026.
Oak Harbor, OH Official event details - Crawford County Fair
Crawford County's yearly fair takes place at the fairgrounds in Bucyrus. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 20-25, 2026.
Bucyrus, OH Official event details - Perry County Fair
Fair week for Perry County is based in New Lexington, drawing local exhibitors and visitors. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 20-25, 2026.
New Lexington, OH Official event details - Franklin County Fair
Franklin County hosts its fair in Hilliard over seven days in late July, with harness racing alongside the 4-H Junior Fair program. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 20 to July 26, 2026.
Hilliard, OH | Organizer: Franklin County Agricultural Society Official event details - Warren County Fair
Warren County Fair in Lebanon is set for July 20-25, 2026, following a week of 4-H project judging.
Lebanon, OH Official event details - Carroll County Fair
The Carroll County Fair is held in Carrollton, Carroll County, with the annual junior fair and livestock exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 21-26, 2026.
Carrollton, OH Official event details - Fayette County Junior Fair Rabbit, Chicken and Turkey Sale
Junior Fair exhibitors sell rabbits, chickens and turkeys on the Thursday evening of fair week in Washington Court House. Held each year; the most recent sale was July 23, 2026, at 5:30 PM.
Washington Court House, OH | 740-335-5856 | Organizer: Fayette County Junior Fair Official event details - Warren County Junior Fair Livestock Sales
Market hogs sell on Thursday evening and chickens, ducks, rabbits, turkeys, steers, feeder cattle, goats and lambs sell Saturday morning. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 23 to 25, 2026.
Lebanon, OH | Organizer: Warren County Junior Fair Official event details - Pike County Fair
Pike County's yearly fair takes place at the fairgrounds in Piketon. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 24 to August 1, 2026.
Piketon, OH Official event details - Clark County Fair
Clark County Fair in Springfield. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 24-31, 2026. Springfield fair that opens late in July and runs through the final day of the month.
- Fayette County Junior Fair Livestock Sale
Dairy and beef steers, feeders, dairy and meat goats, sheep and hogs are sold in one Friday evening auction in Washington Court House. Held each year; the most recent sale was July 24, 2026, at 5:30 PM.
- Jackson County Junior Fair Livestock Sale
Jackson County 4-H and FFA members sell their market animals at the junior fair livestock sale, with the sale order posted by the Extension office. Held each year; the most recent date was July 24, 2026.
Wellston, OH | Organizer: Jackson County Junior Fair Official event details - Union County Fair
The Union County Fair is held in Marysville, Union County, with the annual junior fair and livestock exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 26 to August 1, 2026.
- Butler County Fair
Butler County Fair in Hamilton. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 26 to August 1, 2026. Southwest Ohio fair in Hamilton that straddles the end of July and start of August.
Hamilton, OH Official event details - Seneca County Fair
Seneca County Fair in Tiffin opens Sunday, July 26 and runs through Aug. 2, 2026.
Tiffin, OH Official event details - Shelby County Fair
Shelby County Fair in Sidney runs July 26 to Aug. 1, 2026, with junior fair market animals tagged at the fairgrounds each January.
Sidney, OH Official event details - Vinton County Fair
Vinton County's yearly fair takes place at the fairgrounds in McArthur. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 27 to August 1, 2026.
McArthur, OH Official event details - Clermont County Fair
Clermont County Fair in Owensville. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 27 to August 1, 2026. Fair held at Owensville in Clermont County, running Monday through Saturday at the turn of July and August.
Owensville, OH Official event details - Union County Junior Fair Skillathons
Rabbit, dairy, swine, poultry, sheep, beef and goat skillathons for youth exhibitors in the Armory during the Union County Junior Fair week, with awards on July 30-31, 2026.
Marysville, OH Official event details - Ohio State Fair Junior Swine Show
Junior purebred gilts show July 30 and junior market barrows show August 6-7 in the O'Neill Swine Barn, with barrows weighed between 220 and 290 pounds. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 28 to August 9, 2026.
- Lake County Fair
Fair week for Lake County is based in Painesville, drawing local exhibitors and visitors. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 28 to August 2, 2026.
Painesville, OH Official event details - Summit County Fair
Summit County Fair is held in Tallmadge from July 28 to Aug. 2, 2026.
- Ohio State Fair
The Ohio State Fair runs twelve days at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, with junior livestock shows and the Sale of Champions. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 29 to August 9, 2026.
717 East 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211 | 888-646-3976 Official event details - Knox County Fair
Fair week for Knox County is based in Mt. Vernon, drawing local exhibitors and visitors. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 25 to August 1, 2026.
Plus 70 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Ohio directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.