The Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) is gearing up for one of its most anticipated highlights: the 2026 Night of Stars Gilt Sale. Scheduled for Tuesday evening, March 17, at 6:00 p.m., the event will take place at Expo Hall at the Oklahoma Fairgrounds, with online bidding available through CCI.live. The video preview of the females being sold can be seen here.
A Showcase of Elite Genetics
In an interview over this weekend with Ron Hays of the Oklahoma Farm Report, Blake Kennedy of Kennedy Ventures shared his excitement for this year’s lineup. Kennedy, who has been involved with OYE since his own 4-H and FFA days, now leads the team providing online bidding and video services for the sale.
“I would tell you I feel like every year when we do this, I tell you that it’s one of the best set of gilts that we’ve ever offered,” Kennedy said. “And to be honest with you, I think the first six or seven that’s going to go through the ring… are some females that I really think can take the next generation to a level up.”
The 2026 sale features 135 females, including both purebred and commercial gilts. Kennedy emphasized the quality across the board, noting that these animals represent the pinnacle of breeding pieces for exhibitors and producers alike.
Expanding Global Reach
The Night of Stars has grown into a massive digital event, reaching audiences far beyond the Oklahoma state lines. Last year, the preview videos garnered approximately 22,000 views, a number Kennedy hopes to surpass this year.
“Our online presence that we’ll have at the gilt sale that night from people coast to coast watching… literally coast to coast,” Kennedy remarked, highlighting the partnership with CCI.live that allows remote buyers to participate in real-time.
For those looking to get a head start, Kennedy Ventures is recording previews to be released ahead of the sale. Potential buyers are encouraged to reach out with specific needs, whether they are looking for “pures” or “commercials.”
Event Details at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Date | Tuesday, March 17, 2026 |
| Time | 6:00 p.m. CST |
| Location | Expo Hall, Oklahoma Fairgrounds |
| Online Bidding | CCI.live |
| Number of Entries | 135 Gilts |
With a history of breaking records every year, the atmosphere for Tuesday night is expected to be electric. As Kennedy put it, “You always want to have a record, don’t you? And I think every year we’ve broken it. I don’t know why this year would be any different.”
Looking Back to Previous Night of Stars
Here are the sales totals from the last few years:
2025 128 Gilts $1.24 million $9,585 average per gilt
2024 130 Gilts $1.6 million $12,390 average per gilt (Record Year)
2023 131 Gilts $1.259 million $9,612 average per gilt
2022 130 Gilts $880,000 $6,769 average per gilt
2021 130 Gilts $1 million $7,812 average per gilt
2020 Covid Year- a limited number or gilts were sold on line
The 2024 sale featured the highest gilt ever sold at the OYE event- $175,000 for the Supreme Commercial Gilt owned by Kashan Young of Rogers County 4-H.
Explore more about the 2026 Oklahoma Youth Expo by clicking here for the show’s website. The complete updated calendar can be seen here.
