The Tulsa State Fair is gearing up for its annual event, with fair officials reporting an increase in livestock show entries this year. According to Brandi Herndon, who visited with Farm Director KC Sheperd, the fair’s entry numbers are “looking awesome,” with “significant growth in both the meat goat and breeding doe shows, along with the gilts and even our market steer numbers”. The highlight of the fair’s livestock events is the “Night of Champions,” a celebratory evening that brings together grand drive winners from every species.
Making Youth Exhibitors Feel Like ‘Rock Stars’
The Night of Champions and premium sale is held in the Ford truck Arena to celebrate the hard work of the youth exhibitors. Herndon explained that the fair views the event as the “Super Bowl of livestock shows in the fall,” and their goal is to make the participants “feel like rock stars”. To create a special atmosphere for the students, they are celebrated by walking down a “red carpet” with donors, and the event includes “a little Pyro involved with that as well”. The Night of Champions, which awards scholarship checks to the exhibitors, is scheduled for October 1st, with doors opening at 5:00 p.m. and the event starting at 6:00 p.m..
Fundraising and “Back the Banner” Campaign
Herndon gave credit to the Tulsa State Fair Ringmasters, a 501(c)(3) group of volunteers who work year-round to raise money for the scholarships. Their annual golf and gala fundraising event this year saw the “most people that have ever attended, along with the most money that we’ve ever raised”.
The funds from the event helped launch a new initiative called the
“Back the Banner” campaign. Herndon said the campaign was created “in support of the ladies of the Tulsa state fair”. For the first time this year, all breed champions in the breeding animal shows—including heifers, gilts, does, and ewes—will receive scholarship money. She noted that the campaign has had an “overwhelming response” and she hopes to see it “grow it into the future”.
How to Support Youth Exhibitors
For those interested in supporting the exhibitors, Herndon provided a few options. Donors can contact her directly for information on how to get involved. After the Night of Champions concludes, a complete sale listing will be posted on SC Online Sales for a week, allowing “any individual across the United States” to add money to the scholarship funds. More information about the fair and the Night of Champions event can be found at
