The deadline for registration of small animals to be exhibited at the 2026 Berrien County Youth Fair is July 1. Small animals include rabbits, poultry, pocket pets, dogs and cats.
One photo of cats and two photos of dogs (one front view and one side view of the dog) shown at the fair must be provided at registration with the name of the animal. In addition, dog photos must also be labeled with the exhibitor number, dog name, age, breed, sex and if altered or not, and cat photos must be labeled with the cat's name and exhibitor number.
As a reminder, a limited number of exhibitor handbooks and entry forms are available at all Berrien County Public libraries, Baroda City Mills in Baroda; Country Heritage Credit Union in Buchanan; Tractor Supply and Family Farm and Home in Benton Harbor; Tractor Supply Company, Rural King and Mark Farm Supply in Niles; Seifert's Farm Supply in Three Oaks and Tractor Supply Company in Stevensville. Exhibitor handbooks are also available online at www.bcyf.org.
Exhibitor entry forms and handbooks are available at the fair office as well.
Registration is open to any Berrien County resident, ages 5-20 years of age. The exhibitor age is as of Jan. 1.
Online registration has been updated to a new program this year. It will look different, but the general process is the same. Exhibitors should create a user name and password, which will be carried over from year to year. Options for families or group entries are available. Once registered, exhibitors can return to the program and add more entries up until each entry deadline, with the exception of equine.
The exhibitor's printed confirmation will serve as the traditional yellow copy of the entry form and is required on entry day, just as the yellow copy of the traditional entry form is. The link for online entries can be found at www.bcyf.org.
Entry forms may be turned in any time up to the appropriate deadline date. Entry forms may be brought to the fair office between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday on or before July 1 postmarked on or before July 1 or placed in the drop box outside the Fair office after hours until 6 p.m. on July 1.
Other upcoming deadlines include the Berrien County Youth Fair king and queen contest which is open to current BCYF exhibitors ages 16-19. The king and queen contest deadline is July 15. The BCYF prince and princess contest registration (which is open to exhibitors ages 9-12) deadline is July 15. Applications can be picked up at the fair office or online at www.bcyf.org.
Registration for all still exhibit areas (crafts, flowers, horticulture, and home economics) is Aug. t. Registration for still exhibits is open to Berrien County residents, ages 5-20 years of age. No late entries will be accepted. Questions can be addressed by contacting the fair office at 269/473-4251. Berrien County Youth Fair dates are Aug. 17-22 with the theme "Happy Birthday America!"