DIVISION 800: JUNIOR RABBITS
Bridget Moore
Director
Joy Gordon
Show Secretary
Amanda Hutcheson
Breed Show Superintendent
Travis West
Skillathon & Contest
Superintendent
Kevin Bogan
Market Show Superintendent
Sara Lape
Show Secretary
Don Howard
Breed Show Superintendent
Vicki Bogan
Skillathon & Contest
Superintendent
DEPARTMENT STAFF
PHONE: 614-644-4496
August 5 - 8 ONLY
Entries close June 21 at 1 p.m.
ONLINE ENTRY
All rabbits MUST enter online at www.ohiostatefair.com.
Exhibitors should keep their exact login information (username/password).
You must provide information for either your FFA advisor or 4-H County Extension Professional. The junior exhibitor’s entry will not be finalized until the confirmation is received back from either the FFA Advisor, or 4-H County Extension Professional. This confirmation will take the place of the required signatures.
NO LATE ENTRY.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Schedule of Events
Rabbit Skillathon
Single Fryers
Special Contest
Showmanship
Grounds Regulations
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
ARRIVAL TIME Wednesday, August 5: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
EXHIBITOR MEETING Wednesday, August 5: 12:30 p.m.
BREED ID CONTEST Wednesday, August 5: 1:00 p.m.
MARKET SHOW Wednesday, August 5: 5:00 p.m.
BREED SHOW Thursday, August 6: 9:00 a.m.
COSTUME CONTEST Thursday, August 6: 3:00 p.m. (or following breed show)
JUDGING CONTEST Friday, August 7, 9:00 a.m.
SHOWMANSHIP Friday, August 7, 1:00 p.m.
SKILLATHON Saturday, August 8, 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
RELEASE TIME Saturday, August 8, 5:00 p.m. (or upon completion of
open breed show, whichever is later)
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Participation is limited to 4-H and FFA members enrolled in rabbit projects in 2026. (i.e. must be enrolled in market project at county level to show market at Ohio State Fair) All exhibitors must be present on the day of judging.
Entries must be made online no later than June 21 at 1:00 p.m. Entry fee for 2026: $4 per breed show and single fryer entry $8 for a pen of three market rabbits. Processing fees may apply.
Those who want to participate in the Rabbit Showmanship (Division 802) should sign up when doing online entry and verify participation at check-in.
All animals exhibited must have been a part of the exhibitor's project and cared for continuously by the individual exhibitor since June 1 (market) and May 31 (breeding) of the current year, including all showing rights. Ownership of animal will be considered lost if, after May 31 or June 1, of the current year, the animal has been consigned or sold in a Junior Fair Livestock Sale or any other type of transaction, even if the exhibitor "buys back" his animal.
Each entry must be listed in the entry program:(1) entry breed (i.e. New Zealand); (2) list variety (i.e.white); (3) list class (i.e. senior); (4) list gender (i.e. buck); (5) list ear number (i.e. 30). If your rabbits have not been ear tattooed at the time of entering you must still list the number that you will be using as the official ear number for each rabbit entered, including meat rabbits.
All 4-H and FFA rabbits including meat rabbits must have a permanent and legible tattoo in the rabbit's left ear before checking in. All entries must contain the ear number(s) for each entry. Entries with no ear number included will not be accepted. Only two (2) ear number changes per exhibitor will be allowed. Substitutions must be within the same breed, variety, and class as on original entry.
Rabbits owned by the same exhibitor, in the same class, must not have duplicate ear tattoos.
Altering Appearance — Any animal disqualified for altering of appearance results in the disqualification of exhibitor's entire entry. This includes dying, plucking of colored hairs so as to be noticeably missing, trimming or clipping so as to alter markings, coloring toenails, any faking: including powdering and indiscriminate use of grooming preparations designed to alter the natural condition or appearance.
No health certificate is required; however, department staff reserves the right to examine any and all animals for disease. Animals declared diseased or unworthy of show will be dismissed from the grounds.
Exhibitors may show a maximum two (2) meat pen entries, and two (2) single fryer entries. No limit on number of entries for Breeding exhibitors.
Junior Exhibitors must show their own animals. Exceptions will be made only for exhibitors who may be physically impaired, who have two animals entered in the same class, or an exhibitor is absent on show day due to other commitments. Incase of these exceptions another boy or girl who is eligible to be an Ohio Junior Division Exhibitor and must be a resident of the State of Ohio, may exhibit the animal with the authorization of the department director. If a Junior Fair Livestock Exhibitor cannot be present at the time of judging the exhibitor will need to present to the department director a written permission notice signed by the football coach, band director or any other person in charge of an activity that is in conflict and prevents the exhibitor from being present at the time of judging. This notice must be on official letterhead of the organization and given to the department director 24 hours before show day and must include name, county, birthdate, home phone number, and complete address of the exhibitor's, home and work of the person in charge of the event (i.e. football coach, band director, etc.) Also include a brief description of the conflict.
The order of show for Breed Classes will be posted the evening of Wednesday, August 5th.
Showmanship will be based on information in the 4-H Rabbit Resource Handbook and additional resources. Classes of Showmanship are: 8-10 years of age, 11-12 years of age, 13-14 years of age, 15-16 years of age and17-18 years of age. All ages as of January 1, 2026.
Rabbits will be placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd by classes according to A.R.B.A. standards (see A.R.B.A. Standard of Perfection). The best and best opposite sex of each breed, best 4 class and best 6 class as well as a best of show will be selected.
It is not necessary for a 4-H or FFA rabbit exhibitor to have been a county champion or a selected winner to enter and compete at the Ohio State Fair.
Junior exhibitors must check in their own rabbits; adult should only assist as needed.
If rabbits are removed from the fairgrounds early, without prior permission of the director, the exhibitor will forfeit all awards, including premiums, and will not be allowed to compete the following year.
No rabbits under 56 days of age, as of opening day of show, allowed on fairgrounds. No does and litters allowed!
Junior rabbits must be at least 4 months of age and meet the minimum junior weight for their breed. Rabbits not meeting these criteria may be sent home at the discretion of the barn director and department staff.
Rabbits must remain on display throughout the duration of the show (Wednesday through Saturday).
RABBIT SKILLATHON
The Ohio State Fair will furnish coops, bedding (straw), and cups. However, exhibitors are required to bring their own feed.
Exhibitors need to feed, water and freshen bedding each day. No feeding or watering will be conducted by the show committee.
NO PRIVATE SALE OF RABBITS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. Any exhibitor violating this rule will forfeit all awards, including premiums, and will be banned from competing for one year at the Ohio State Fair.
A signed release slip must be obtained from the Director or the Show Secretary before removing any rabbit from the fairgrounds.
Advertising will not be permitted on 4-H or FFA rabbit exhibits.
ONLY battery-operated fans allowed in cooping areas - NO electric fans on or over cages! No portable air conditioning units, Swamp coolers, etc. are permitted.
Premiums will be determined at the conclusion of the fair.
CARE AND MANAGEMENT
BREEDS AND CLASSES
4 classes will be provided for 9 lb or under senior ideal weight
Seniors — 6 months of age and older
Juniors — Under 6 months of age
6 classes will be provided for 9 lb or larger senior ideal weight
Seniors — 8 months of age and older
Intermediates — 6 months and under 8 months
Juniors — Under 6 months of age
Please indicate one of the above listed classes as well as breed, variety, sex and ear number when entering online
age on day of judging
AWARDS
BEST IN SHOW: Banner
SECOND BEST IN SHOW: Banner
BEST 4 CLASS: Banner
SECOND BEST 4 CLASS: Rosette
BEST 6 CLASS: Banner
SECOND BEST 6 CLASS: Rosette
YOUTH RESERVE PROGRAM
The six classes listed will receive awards from the Youth Reserve Program.
CLASS 02: MARKET SHOW MEAT PENS
COMPETITION INFORMATION
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
All Market Rabbit Meat Pens MUST enter online and NO late entries.
Three animals, identical in size, weight, appearance and age; must be a minimum of 56 days and not exceed 70 days of age; each meat pen rabbit must weigh a minimum of 3.5 pounds, and not exceed 5.5 pounds.
Only meat rabbits meeting these weight requirements will be eligible to show. All meat pens will be officially weighed at check in on Wednesday. There will be NO re-weigh.
All rabbits and/or brood does of meat pen rabbits shown must have been owned and under the continual care of exhibitor from June 1, 2026 until after show at the Ohio State Fair.
All rabbits in meat pens must have a permanent and legible tattoo in their left ear. Meat pen rabbits owned by the same exhibitor, must not have duplicate ear tattoos. A maximum of two (2) meat pen entries are allowed.
The top 30 meat pens will receive a premium to be determined from the Ohio Market Rabbit Producers Association.
AWARDS
TOP FIVE (5) RABBIT MEAT PEN AWARDS.
Grand Champion Meat Pen
Reserve Grand Champion Meat Pen
Third Place Meat Pen
Fourth Place Meat Pen
Fifth Place Meat Pen
Top Five Meat Pens will receive a premium to be determined from the Youth Reserve Program and a Rosette. .
CLASS 03: SINGLE FRYERS
COMPETITION INFORMATION
Thursday, August 6 at 9:00 a.m.
Junior fair exhibitors may enter no more than 2 single fryers (can be also entered as part of a meat pen, however you must also enter the Single Fryer section, as well as Meat Pens).
Fryers must be a minimum of 56 days and not exceed 70 days of age. Each fryer must weigh a minimum of 3.5 pounds. and not exceed 5.5 pounds.
Only fryers meeting these weight requirements will be eligible to show. All fryers will be weighed at check in on Wednesday. There will NO re-weighs!
The grand and reserve champion junior fair meat pens will NOT be eligible to show in the junior fair single fryer show.
The top 20 single fryers will receive a premium to be determined from the Ohio Market Rabbit Producers Association.
AWARDS
Rosettes - Top 5 Places
TOP FIVE (5) SINGLE FRYER AWARDS
Top Five Single Fryers will receive a premium to be determined from the Youth Reserve Program.
POSTER EXHIBIT
A poster exhibit will be held to visually demonstrate junior fair rabbit knowledge, and to stimulate an interest in junior fair rabbit projects and the rabbit industry.
COMPETITION INFORMATION
Youth must be enrolled in either Ohio 4-H or FFA rabbit project to participate in the poster contest but need not show a rabbit at the Ohio State Fair.
Each youth must enter their poster online by June 21 at 1:00 p.m. One entry per exhibitor is allowed. Posters must be delivered to the state fair rabbit office (in the rabbit and poultry barn) during rabbit check in on Wednesday, August 5. Posters can be checked in by another 4-H or FFA member if the poster contestant participant is not exhibiting rabbits at the state fair.
There is a $5 entry fee for posters.
Posters must be made using size 22” x 28” poster board. Do not use foam core poster board or science fair display boards. Posters must be displayed horizontally.
Posters can represent any topic found in the Ohio 4-H Rabbit Resource Handbook.
Each poster must be clearly labeled in the lower right hand corner, in a space no larger than 3” x 5” with the exhibitor’s name, county, and age as of January 1, 2026.
Posters should be covered in plastic or laminated.
Posters will be judged on Educational Content (50 pts), Neatness/Appearance (30 pts.) and Originality (20 pts.)
Posters deemed inappropriate to display will be judged but held in the Rabbit Office until release.
Poster score sheets are used for judging only and will not be returned to the exhibitor.
Posters will be displayed in the Rabbit and Poultry Barn during the Junior Fair Rabbit Show.
Posters can be picked up at the Rabbit Office after 5:00 pm on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Those not picked up at that time will not be returned.
SUPERINTENDENT
Amanda Hutcheson
AWARDS
First through fifth place rosettes will be awarded to the top 5 poster winners in each age division:
Junior (ages 8-11)
Intermediate (ages 12-14)
Senior (ages 15-18)
All ages are as of January 1, 2026
COSTUME CONTEST
Thursday, August 6, 3 pm (or following the junior breed show)
The Rabbit Costume Contest is open to all 4-H and FFA youth exhibiting a rabbit at the Ohio State Fair. First place in each category will receive an award. Categories include Most Original, People’s Choice, Best Coordinating Costume (exhibitor & rabbit/s), and Best Overall. A 50 word or less narrative is to be turned in to the superintendent prior to the start of the event. Pre-registration is not required.
Participants will register at check-in for this event.
SUPERINTENDENT
Don Howard
AWARDS
Best in Show
2nd-8th Best Costume
Most Original Costume
Best Duo Costume
Crowd Favorite
RABBIT JUDGING CONTEST
Friday, August 7, 9:00 a.m.
The Rabbit Judging Contest is open to all 4-H and FFA youth enrolled in a rabbit project in 2026. First place in each category will receive an award. First through fifth place rosettes will be awarded to the top 5 winners in each age division: 8-10 years,11-12 years, 13-14 years, 15-16 years, and 17-18 years. All ages are as of January 1, 2026. Pre-registration is not required, participants will register at check in for this event.
SUPERINTENDENT
Kevin Bogan
RABBIT BREED ID CONTEST
Wednesday, August 5, 1:00 p.m.
The Rabbit Breed I.D. Contest is open to all 4-H and FFA youth enrolled in a rabbit project in 2026. First place in each age category will receive an award. First through fifth place rosettes will be awarded to the top 5 winners in each age division: 8-10 years, 11-12 years, 13-14 years, 15-16 years, and 17-18 years. All ages are as of January 1, 2026. Pre-registration is not required, participants will register at check in for this event.
CO-SUPERINTENDENTS
Vicki Bogan & Travis West
SPECIAL AWARDS
(each of the following will receive a trophy)
Best in Show
Second Best in Show
Best 6 Class
Second Best 6 Class
Best 4 Class
Second Best 4 Class
Grand Champion Single Fryer
Reserve Grand Champion Single Fryer
Best Commercial Meat Pen
2nd Best Commercial Meat Pen
3rd Best Commercial Meat Pen
(each of the following will receive a medallion)
4th through 30th Best Commercial Meat Pen
(each of the following will receive a plaque)
Best of Breed Rabbit Awards
Best Opposite Sex Rabbit Awards
DIVISION 802: SHOWMANSHIP
COMPETITION INFORMATION
Friday, August, 7 at 1:00 p.m.
The purpose of showmanship is to encourage young exhibitors to acquire skill and know-how in the handling of animals and to obtain information and practice in fitting and grooming them for show.
Exhibitors must show their own animal in showmanship. The judge may ask that exhibitors show another exhibitors animal during the course of the show.
Advanced entry in showmanship is available online and will be confirmed at check in.
Exhibitors are to fit their own animal.
All animals shown in showmanship must be entered and shown in their respective breeding and/or market classes.
Judges will consider the general ability and know-how of exhibitors in training and handling of animals, the manner in which he/she presents their animal, how they handle themselves in the ring, how to fit and groom their animal (while the grooming alone will not be emphasized), Knowledge and use of good show ring equipment and correct use of equipment, accepted show ring practices, customs and exhibitors may be asked questions about their animal and the species.
Exhibitors must show in showmanship to be considered for Outstanding Market Exhibitor and/or Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor.
Age for showmanship is as of January 1, 2026.
Top 3 places will be awarded in the following age groups:
Ages 17 – 18
Ages 15 –16
Ages 13 – 14
Ages 11 – 12
Ages 8 – 10
Each will be awarded a plaque. An award will be presented to the Ohio State Fair Rabbit Scholarship Winner.
Showmanship will be entered when making online entries and verified at check in. There is no charge for this entry.
In 2026, Junior Rabbit showmanship age winners will receive money from the Youth Reserve Program.
SKILLATHON
Saturday, August 8, 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
All junior fair skillathon age champions (9 through 18) will receive money from the Youth Reserve Program. Each age winner and the overall skillathon champion in all nine skillathons will receive an award sponsored by The Ohio 4-H and FFA Foundations.
DRUG USE NOTIFICATION FORMS
All meat pen and single fryer rabbit exhibitors will be required to submit a Drug Use Notification Form. All forms will be completed online. The link will be available at https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/get-involved/livestock/livestock-competitions. Links will be available closer to the check in date.
The General Rules for the Ohio State Fair will be forthcoming.
LIVESTOCK COMPETITIONS
GENERAL RULES