The 2026 Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) is officially underway at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. With hogs moving in this evening and the show starting Wednesday, the event is set to host over 8,000 exhibitors participating in various species competitions. Our own Ron Hays spoke with OYE’s Kass Newell about what to expect at this years event.
Navigating the New OG&E Coliseum
A major highlight for this year’s expo is the transition into the new OG&E Coliseum. Kass Newell with OYE explained that while the move brings state-of-the-art facilities, it has required some logistical shifts due to the complexity of the new space.
“The interns showed up this morning and our OALE kids and they really make the show happen,” Newell said. “We certainly couldn’t do it without them between those college students and our volunteers, we certainly put on a very successful event because of them”.
- Setup Adjustments: Due to the Coliseum’s layout and the time needed to transition from basketball to livestock, the first event in the arena—the Supreme Heifer Drive—is scheduled for Sunday at 6:00 PM.
- New Bedding: For the first time, wood chips are being used in the Coliseum, which adds to the preparation time required by staff and volunteers.
- Travel Time: Because of the distance between the barns and the new arena, exhibitors are encouraged to allow extra time to ensure they arrive for their classes on time.
Key Schedule Highlights
Scholarships will also continue to grow as the event expands its support for youth in agriculture. “We gave out around 90 scholarships to seniors,” Newell said, adding that the number is expected to increase in future years. Ultimately, she emphasized that the event’s mission remains focused on youth. “They’re truly the focus of our staff, and we always like to put the exhibitor first and try to make it the best experience for them at the end of the day.”
The expo features a full slate of traditional events designed to showcase the hard work of 4-H and FFA members:
| Event | Date/Time |
| Hog Move-in | Monday, 5:00 PM |
| Hog Show Starts | Wednesday |
| Supreme Heifer Drive | Sunday, 6:00 PM |
| Legislative Show | Monday Evening |
| Grand Drive | Thursday |
| Sale of Champions | Friday |
Investing in the Future
The OYE staff and volunteers remain focused on providing the best experience for the exhibitors. Newell emphasized that the students remain the heart of the operation.
“It’s all about the kids, and they’re truly the focus of our staff, and we always like to put the exhibitor first and try to make it the best experience for them at the end of the day,” Newell said.
A core part of that mission is the scholarship program, which continues to grow. This year, approximately 90 scholarships will be awarded to seniors, in addition to several breeding scholarships presented throughout the show.
To keep up with real-time results and class updates, fans and families can use the EXPO show program and the OYE app.
Ag Mechanics and Engineering The expo kicks off with a heavy focus on technical skill at the Ag Mechanics and Engineering contest. Held in The Pavilion, this competition allows students to demonstrate their powers in welding, design, and structural engineering. On Saturday, March 14, at 8:00 a.m., exhibitors will display projects ranging from livestock equipment to large-scale farm machinery, highlighting the practical innovation that drives the future of the agricultural industry. Ag Mechanics awards ceremony will take place around 6:00 Saturday afternoon.
Legislative Showmanship A unique highlight of the OYE schedule is the Legislative Showmanship event, scheduled for Monday, March 16, at 6:00 p.m. in the Jim Norick Arena. This event provides a vital bridge between Oklahoma’s youth and its state leaders. Exhibitors pair up with members of the Oklahoma Legislature to guide them through the process of showing an animal. It is an opportunity for students to share their passion for agriculture while educating policymakers on the importance of 4-H and FFA programs in shaping the state’s next generation of leaders.
Night of Stars Gilt Sale As the breeding swine competition concludes, attention turns to the prestigious Night of Stars Gilt Sale. Taking place on Tuesday, March 17, at 6:00 p.m. in the Expo Hall, this sale features the top-placing breeding gilts from the week’s show. It serves as a premier marketplace for high-quality genetics, allowing exhibitors to reap the rewards of their breeding programs and providing buyers with the opportunity to invest in some of the finest swine in the country.
The Grand Drive The culmination of the market animal competitions is the highly anticipated Grand Drive. This event is the pinnacle of the expo, where the finest steers, barrows, lambs, and goats compete for the title of Grand Champion. The Grand Drive is more than just a competition; it is a celebration of the months of preparation and commitment invested by each exhibitor. Winners from this event earn a coveted spot in the Sale of Champions, ensuring their projects receive significant financial support and recognition.
The STOMP and Breed Competitions Early in the expo, exhibitors gather for “The STOMP,” held on Tuesday, March 10, in the Barn 6 Performance Arena. This high-energy event sets the tone for the breeding swine shows that follow. Throughout the first week, the MoorMan’s ShowTec Purebred and Commercial Breeding Gilt Shows take center stage, where young producers compete for top honors across numerous breeds, including Chester, Hereford, Poland, and Spot.
Futurity Sales and Showbacks The 2026 schedule also features the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) and OYE Futurity Sales. The Heifer Futurity Sale is slated for Saturday, March 14, following a “Showback” event where students exhibit cattle purchased at the previous year’s sale. Similarly, the Steer Futurity Sale and Showback take place on Tuesday, March 17. These events are essential for fostering growth in the cattle industry, rewarding breeders for their genetics while providing students with a platform to develop their own herds.
Wether Dam Breeding Doe Sale On Monday, March 16, the focus shifts to the goat industry with the Wether Dam Breeding Doe Sale. This event is a critical component for exhibitors looking to enhance the quality of their livestock. The sale provides a transparent, competitive environment for purchasing top-tier does, which often go on to produce future champions in the market goat divisions.
The Sale of Champions will utilize a new layout this year, flipping the setup to the opposite end of the Coliseum to better manage animal flow and utilize the wrap-around space for the steers.
The Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) serves as one of the most significant providers of educational funding for agricultural students in the state. While the livestock and mechanics competitions draw thousands of participants, the ultimate goal of the expo is to invest in the future of Oklahoma’s youth through a massive distribution of scholarship dollars.
The Sale of Champions Impact
The primary engine for financial support at the OYE is the Sale of Champions, scheduled for Friday, March 20. This event acts as the final reward for the exhibitors of the top market animals identified during the Grand Drive. Each year, Oklahoma’s business leaders, individual donors, and agricultural organizations come together to bid on these projects, often resulting in millions of dollars in premiums. These funds are frequently used by students to offset the costs of higher education, allowing them to pursue degrees in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and other vital industries.
Academic and Leadership Scholarships
Beyond livestock sales, the OYE also awards substantial academic and leadership-based scholarships. These awards are often presented during the Grand Drive and other major ceremonies throughout the two-week event. In previous years, the total scholarship and premium distribution has exceeded $2 million annually. These scholarships are made possible through partnerships with organizations such as the Diamond Hats, the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, and various corporate sponsors who prioritize developing the next generation of leaders.
Rewarding Excellence Across Divisions
Financial rewards are not limited to the market animal shows. Students competing in the Ag Mechanics and Engineering contest, as well as those participating in the various breeding animal sales like the Night of Stars Gilt Sale, also see significant returns on their investments. By providing these financial incentives, the OYE ensures that the skills learned in the barn and the shop translate into long-term academic and professional success.
To see the OYE Schedule, click here:
