Kansas State Fair

The Kansas State Fair is held annually at the State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, KS during the month of September. 4-H members are encouraged to enter their projects for state fair judging. Entry must be confirmed with your Extension office by mid August. Reach out to the Extension Office about State Fair Eligibility!

State Fair Results 2025 - Doniphan County

Projects that have been registered must be dropped off at the extension office by (at the latest) the day before Fairground Exhibit Receiving Date. Projects will be transported to and from the Kansas State Fairgrounds and be brought back the day after Fairground Exhibit Release Date.

Projects submitted for state fair judging must have proper forms filled out and attached. As well as, class numbers changed to reflect State Fair class numbers. Please refer to the Exhibitor Handbook for information on forms.

KSFAIR 4-H/FFA Event Schedule/Information - coming soon

KSFAIR 4-H/FFA Exhibitor Handbook 2026 - coming soon

Reminder: You don't need to be a 4-H/FFA member to have fun at the Kansas State Fair! There are plenty of showcases, educational opportunities, and recreational activities for the general public. A daily schedule of all general fair events can be found at the Kansas State Fair Website HERE.

State Youth Livestock Eligibility Requirements

There are steps to be able to eligible to show in the Kansas State Fair Grand Drive and/or Kansas Junior Livestock Show. Please read all directions for each species carefully.

You must purchase and tag potential State Fair animals with EID tags. These are available for purchase at the Doniphan County Extension Office. DNA Envelopes are required for nominations. You must order the envelopes 10 days before the nomination deadline (April 20th and June 5th). You must create or log into your family account on the Kansas Fairwire website. More information can be found on the K-State Department of Animal Sciences and Industry website.

All animals must be nominated (registered) by the appropriate deadlines.

May 1 – Market Beef (DNA Envelope deadline: April 20)

  • steers
  • market heifers

June 15 – Small Livestock & Commercial Heifers (DNA Envelope deadline: June 5)

  • market hogs
  • commercial gilts
  • market lambs
  • commercial ewes
  • market meat goats
  • breeding does (ALL – commercial and registered)
  • commercial heifers

Does a new family who is nominating for the first time need to do anything special before beginning the process?

Yes! Families who are nominating for the first time will need to request an official KSU Family Name and Nomination #. Requests are submitted through this link: KSU Family Name and Number Request. The official family name and number will be issued via the email provided in the online form. It takes 1-3 days business days to process name and number requests, so families will need to plan accordingly. Once a family receives their name and number, they will use it for the entire show career or all of their children. It becomes their name and number, permanently. Families should also make sure their children have completed YQCA for this year. Current certification numbers are required to set up exhibitor accounts.

Do registered breeding heifers, gilts, and ewes have to be nominated?

Registered breeding females do not have to be nominated; they show off of their registration papers based upon the breed association’s youth exhibitor guidelines. The registration papers must be in the exhibitor’s name by the appropriate deadline and those animals basically skip the nomination process and go straight to show entry. Exhibitors are encouraged to make sure the tattoo, ear notches, tag, etc. matches the information listed on the papers to avoid being disqualified. All exhibitors with registered breeding females are also encouraged to refer to the show rules for details. Exception – breeding does. Neither show offers a papered division for meat goat breeding does, so ALL meat goats must be nominated to show in any division.

Check out this checklist resource from the K-State Department of Animal Sciences and Industry.

State fair exhibitors must complete their YQCA certification by date of nomination or by June 15.

State Youth Horse Eligibility Requirements

Please check out the Kansas State 4-H website Horse Project information for the most up to date state horse eligibility requirements. State Fair information may be found on the Kansas State 4-H website 4-H Exhibit Information.

State Youth Small Animals Eligibility Requirements

Please refer to the Kansas State 4-H Fair Book and 4-H Exhibit Information for most up to date information on requirements.

Small animal projects are registered along with static (indoor) projects in early August through the Extension Office. Be on the look out for deadlines and communication from the Doniphan County Extension Office.