Butler County Fair Information

To help us share important updates, deadlines, and reminders with all members and families, we use the Remind app for quick and easy communication.

If you’re not already signed up, we encourage you to download the Remind app or follow the provided link to join your club/group. It’s the best way to stay informed about upcoming events, project information, schedule changes, and more!

Don’t miss out on important 4-H news — join Remind today and stay connected!

Sign up for groups that you are involved with to stay up to date with everything happening in Butler County 4-H!

Butler County 4-H Updates (for all 4-H families!): remind.com/join/4ck72bk

4-H Crochet: remind.com/join/9328dc2

Butler County 4-H Council: remind.com/join/fgk2g7

Butler County 4-H Club Leaders: https://remind.com/join/e8d9c4

Butler County Livestock Contests (only for PASE Events & Livestock Judging Events, not for county fair livestock shows): remind.com/join/992dgh

Tuesday, July 7th

Butler County Event Center

Culinary Challenge - 10:00AM

• Challenge ingredient: Potatoes
• Each participant is required to provide a card table for their presentation.
• Youth may arrive at 9:00 to begin setting up their table.
• Please note, the event center has access to a microwave and a refrigerator, but no oven or stove. Please plan you food preparation accordingly.
• Champion & Reserve Champions will be asked leave their table set up to be displayed during the fair. Others are welcome to leave their tables, but it is not required. They are welcome to be brought back if they choose.

• Exhibitors are limited to 3 outfits, one entry per class.
• Please be sure to have all required paperwork (narration, forms). If possible, you can bring or send these in to Janessa ahead of time to try and remember one less thing on the day of the Fashion Show.

Exhibit Hall Set Up

• Butler County Event Center, 6:00pm
• Help to organize the exhibit hall for the fair!

• 4-H aged club members that attend will be taken into a percentage compared to the total number of members in the club.

Saturday, July 11th

Fairgrounds Clean-Up

• Butler County Fairgrounds, 9:00am
• If you're able please bring: gloves, small garden tools, hand tools, rags, etc. Anything you think may be needed to help get the fairgrounds in shape for fair!
• 4-H aged club members that attend will be taken into a percentage compared to the total number of members in the club.
• Lunch will be provided by the Butler County Ag Society.

Wednesday, July 15th 5:00pm-10:00pm

Livestock can start arriving on the grounds at 5:00pm

Sheep & Goat Check-In

• 7:30pm-8:00pm

Poultry/Rabbit Check-In

• 8:00pm
• Poultry will start with weighing in Broilers!

Beef Check-In

• 8:00pm-9:00pm
• NEW IN 2026: We will separate the Market Beef & Breeding Beef check-ins. Market Beef will start from 8:00pm-8:30pm, followed by Breeding Beef from 8:30pm-9:00pm. Please note the 8:30pm start time for breeding is approximate as we will finish the Markets before moving on! We will communicate throughout check-in!

*All livestock must be in place by 10:00pm*

Thursday, July 16th

Swine Check-In

• 7:00am
• Families showing in the Sheep/Goat Show will be weighed first, then we will go in order through the barn!

Tags will be available in the office beginning July 6th. Stop in to grab them before fair week!

Tuesday, July 14, 7:00pm-9:00pm

• Entry only, no interview judging on this day.

Wednesday, July 15, 8:00am-12:00pm

• Entries and Interview Judging
• Youth will sign up to interview judge at the department tables.

Saturday, July 18, 1:00pm

• Static Awards Ceremony, Butler County Event Center

Things to know:

• Clover Kid Entries: Please bring entries to the EAST doors to help with congestion through the main doors.
• Please be sure that tags & supporting information are securely attached to your entries. Check the fairbook to make sure you have all the supporting information you need. Supporting information documents can be found on our website (link below).
• After judging, remaining food will be moved to a Free Will Donation Bake Sale within the exhibit hall. If you would like your food returned to you, please notify the superintendents at entry. The bake sale will be in the exhibit hall on Thursday for the public

*NO DOGS ALLOWED NEAR LIVESTOCK BARNS OR ARENA THROUGHOUT THE FAIR*

Tuesday, July 14

8:00 AM - Horse Show, Horse Arena

• Open Class first, followed by 4-H show

Thursday, July 16

8:00 AM - Sheep & Goat Show, Livestock Arena

• Goats will show first, then Sheep
• Peewee showmanship for both species will show combined in between the Goats & Sheep.

*NEW TIMES/LOCATIONS IN 2026*

12:00 PM - Rabbit Show, Rabbit/Poultry Barn

1:00 PM - Companion Animal Show, Livestock Arena

• If showing a dog, please do not bring the dog to the arena until the sheep & goat show has concluded and animals are back in their barn, then please take them as soon as the show has finished and pictures have been taken!

Friday, July 17

8:00 AM - Poultry Show, Poultry/Rabbit Barn

9:00 AM - Swine Show, Livestock Arena

Saturday, July 18

8:00 AM - Beef Show, Livestock Arena

Sunday, July 19

10:00 AM - Round Robin Showmanship, Livestock Arena

*New in 2026*

All ribbons and premiums will be together in a packet for the exhibitors to help reduce the chaos of leaving the ring with their animals. Packets and Banners can be picked up at the podium after the exhibitor has completed the show.

Award Pictures will be taken at the conclusion of each livestock show, with the exception of the horse show.

Subsidy Auction

• The Extension office is not part of the organization of the subsidy auction and how it runs, but we help to provide the list of exhibitors and logistic support on the day of.
• Youth that exhibited these animals (Broilers, Goats, Sheep, Swine & Beef) are asked to attend the subsidy auction. Wear 4-H attire!
• Herdsmanship Champion & Overall 4-H & FFA Exhibitors will be announced following the auction.

Ice Cream Social

• To celebrate the hard work of our 4-H'ers and their families throughout the fair week, 4-H Council provides free ice cream during the Subsidy Auction, so stop by!

Thank You Cards

• Banners, Trophies and Buckles would not be possible without the generous donations of our sponsors. Each exhibitor will receive a pre-addressed thank you card for their award and they are expected to send these out to their award sponsor after fair. If you see any of these sponsors throughout the week, let them know how thankful you are that they are choosing to support Butler County 4-H!

Darlin' Blue Media will be at the fair all week to take pictures! More information to come about how to purchase pictures after the fair!

When you enrolled in 4-H, remember the Code of Conduct that you agreed to follow. Help us to make the fair fun and enjoyable for all participants!

The primary goal of the 4‑H Program is to help youth develop competency in their projects, confidence in themselves and others, connections to their community, and sound character. Actions by persons (parents and 4‑H'ers) involved with the 4‑H Program will be consistent with the six core ethical values comprising good character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, caring, fairness, and citizenship.

As a 4‑H Youth Participant/Parent/Guardian I will:

• Treat all people and property with respect, courtesy, consideration, and compassion. Avoid and prevent putdowns, insults, name calling, swearing, and other language or nonverbal conduct likely to offend, hurt, or set a bad example.
• Keep informed about 4‑H program policies and projects and read materials pertaining to the county 4‑H program.
• Teach and model kindness and compassion for others. Recognize that all people have skills and talents which can be used to help others and improve the community. Teach and foster teamwork and discourage selfishness.
• Practice fair-mindedness by being open to ideas, suggestions, and opinions of others. Make all reasonable efforts to assure access to participation for all youth and adults. Decisions will be made fairly and treat all individuals and families with impartiality.
• Obey laws and rules as an obligation of being a good citizen. Accept responsibility for the proper treatment and care for other youth and adults, the program facilities and/or equipment.
• Demonstrate the responsible treatment of animals and stewardship of the environment.
• Not use alcohol or illegal substances (or be under the influence) while working with or participating in any part of the 4‑H Program.
• Provide a safe environment for all parties involved in 4‑H. Protect those involved from sexual harassment, physical force, verbal or mental abuse, neglect, or other harmful behaviors.

Process of appeals & protests can be found on page 5 of the Butler County Fairbook