02/10/2026
Attention to those interested in showing livestock at the 2026 State Fair of West Virginia.
Those planning to show Market Beef, Market Heifer or Performance Steers, contact our office by February 17th for us to get your tags ordered.
Market Beef Tagging
Individuals are allowed to tag a total of three market beef these can be made up of any combination of divisions but no more than two beef from any division.
Performance Steer Show
This was added to the fair lineup in 2025. These animals will be identified with a unique tag separate from the other shows. These animals must also have an official starting weight that is recorded by the agent no later than March 16th. An exhibitor will not be allowed to switch his animals from the market division to the performance steer division once tagging is complete.
There will be several changes effective this year.
• The buyback option for 4-H/FFA animals sold in any county fair/events sales so that they
can then come to the SFWV has been eliminated. Any animal that was tagged for the state
fair and is sold in a county fair/event sale will disqualify that animal for participation in the
state fair.
• When an animal is sold locally, as soon as the auctioneer sells the animal the
ownership changes. That violates the ownership requirements for the SFWV. In the
past we allowed those animals to come to the state fair if the exhibitor was the buyer. That has become too troublesome to manage and has been abused.
• Showmanship classes will begin with the novice division and progress up to the senior
division. The master division will take place after the completion of the senior division.
• At past fairs we started with the senior division and ended with novice division then
followed them with the masters division.
• Market Goat exhibitors will be allowed to exhibit 3 goats.
o This is consistent with the market lambs.
• Market animal tagging will be handled differently. No more pick-up at the office.
New for 2026, all tagging for SFWV market animals must be done in person by county extension agents, FFA Advisors, or local fair officials. This can be done on farms, at official
predetermined tagging sites or at regional site planned with other counties and programs. If
you plan to have a tagging day, please let Josh Peplowski or the SFWV entries department
know your dates for tagging as SFWV officials may be making visits. This is to assist and
work with youth and families to establish better lines of communication in assisting with
registrations for the upcoming fair. If you have concerns with the new tagging
requirements, please feel free to reach out to Josh Peplowski or myself.
o This year feeder calves must be tagged just like other market animals.
o The call for market Goat, market lambs, market hogs and feeder calf tags will be in
May.
o Market animals tagged does not enter them into the SFWV. They still need to formally complete the online entry form on the SFWV website. The entry deadline for 2026 is July 8.
New for 2026
• Three new opportunities for WV 4-H/FFA members to exhibit livestock at the SFWV.
o Jr Purebred Barrow Show
o Jr Wether Dam Show
o Jr Wether Doe Show
All three of these shows will be in the second half of the fair week.
(There is not sufficient barn space to have these shows during the first half of the week.)
Details regarding these added events will be shared soon.
The State Fair of West Virginia honors our heritage through programs that promote the traditions of agriculture, education, and family entertainment. The State Fair of West Virginia has something for the whole family to enjoy!
