Enroll
Join 4-H and select the Rabbit Project by the county enrollment deadline.
Delaware County Junior Fair • 2026
Your rabbit project starts here.
A practical guide for choosing a project, raising healthy rabbits, completing fair entry, preparing for the show ring, and making the most of fair week.
Your road tofair day
Raise & Learn
Choose your project, prepare housing, and build a consistent daily care routine.
Enter the Fair
Complete Fair Entry for every class and activity before entries close.
Show & Grow
Complete book judging, practice showmanship, and arrive ready for fair week.
Start with the basics
Two enrollments. Two different purposes.
This is the most important distinction for new rabbit families. Completing one does not automatically complete the other.
First
4-H Project Enrollment
Enroll in your 4-H club and select the Rabbit Project by the county enrollment deadline. This makes you a rabbit-project member for the year.
- Choose the Rabbit Project
- Connect with your club advisor
- Begin learning and keeping records
Then
Junior Fair Entry
Complete fair entries by the published deadline. This tells the fair exactly which rabbits, projects, and classes you plan to exhibit.
- Enter eligible classes
- Identify animals when required
- Review and save your confirmation
Learn it step by step
Rabbit Project Handbook
Seven practical chapters created by the Rabbit Committee to help exhibitors and families build a healthy project and arrive at fair prepared.
What you’ll learn
- The purpose of 4-H and Junior Fair
- The three rabbit project types
- What rabbits need every day
- How parents and exhibitors can prepare
Rabbit Committee NoteThe rabbit project is a year-long learning experience. Begin with safe housing, a realistic care plan, and an advisor you can call.Download full chapter ↓
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Download the complete starter guideNew to rabbits?
Begin with Chapter 1 and work through one chapter at a time. Bring questions to your club advisor or a Rabbit Committee member.
Fair entry guide
Don’t let a missed entry keep you out of the ring.
Before you submit, sit down with your exhibitor and walk through the current fair book together. Enter carefully, verify every selection, and keep the confirmation.
Official information wins.Deadlines, class names, ownership dates, weights, identification rules, and eligibility can change. Confirm each item in the current Delaware County Junior Fair book.
Before you click submit
Fair Entry Checklist
Find your path
Choose the right rabbit project.
Your advisor can help confirm which option fits your age, experience, goals, and access to an animal.
Market Rabbit
Raise a Pen of Three Fryers or Single Fryer from your own brood doe, or purchase and raise a Pen of Two Roasters. Age, weight, ownership, and entry rules all matter.
What to ask your advisor →Show / Breed Rabbit
Exhibit a recognized breed using the ARBA Standard of Perfection. Learn body type, condition, posing, faults, and the difference between 4-Class and 6-Class rabbits.
What to ask your advisor →Pet Rabbit
Focus on excellent care, housing, nutrition, health, handling, and long-term responsibility. Pet rabbits return home after fair as family pets.
What to ask your advisor →The week before fair
Pack less stress.
Use this simple rhythm to prepare the rabbit, the exhibitor, and the supplies.
Practice
Work on safe handling, posing, examinations, questions, and a calm showmanship routine.
Check
Review health, nails, coat, identification, records, class entries, and arrival instructions.
Pack
Bring the approved carrier, feed, water supplies, grooming items, paperwork, and show clothes.
Save these dates
2026 Rabbit Barn Schedule
SEPT12–232026
Sat · Sep 12
See Extension notice
Fair Project Book Judging
Extension location
A judged project book is required to show at fair.
Mon · Sep 14
6:00 p.m.
Rabbit Barn Setup
Rabbit & Poultry Barn
All exhibitors are expected to help.
Fri · Sep 18
4:00–9:00 p.m.
Rabbit Check-In
Rabbit & Poultry Barn
Cages are assigned and market rabbits are weighed.
Sun · Sep 20
12:30–5:00 p.m.
Rabbit Family Day
Rabbit & Poultry Barn
Potluck, costume contest, judging, Breed ID, Pee Wee Showmanship, and practice.
Mon · Sep 21
7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Rabbit Show Day
Junior Fair Show Arena
Market show, showmanship, and Show/Breed judging.
Tue · Sep 22
5:30 p.m. lineup
Junior Fair Sale
Junior Fair Show Arena
Sale begins at 6:00 p.m. Rabbits sell last.
Wed · Sep 23
4:00 p.m.
Barn Tear-Down
Rabbit & Poultry Barn
All exhibitors are expected to help.
Schedule reminderUse the official fair schedule and Rabbit Committee communications for final times or changes. Exhibitors are expected to help with barn setup or tear-down.Open official schedule ↗
Clinic & skillathon library
Learn the rabbit. Not just the routine.
Use these illustrated learning stations to prepare for showmanship, Skillathon, Breed ID, and the “You Be the Judge” contest.
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4-Class vs. 6-Class
Learn how breed size and maturity determine junior, intermediate, and senior show classes.
Open learning posters ↗Breed Identification
Practice breed, showroom variety, registration variety, and class status for the live Breed ID Contest.
Open learning posters ↗Standard of Perfection
Understand how the ARBA Standard organizes breed descriptions, weights, varieties, faults, and disqualifications.
Open learning posters ↗Parts of the Rabbit
Study the beginner and advanced anatomy terms exhibitors use during showmanship and judging.
Open learning posters ↗Body Types
Compare commercial, compact, cylindrical, full arch, and semi-arch body types.
Open learning posters ↗Posing & Evaluation
Learn how correct posing reveals balance, topline, body depth, and breed type.
Open learning posters ↗Evaluating Meat Pens
Study meat type, condition, uniformity, fur, and the traits used to place market rabbits.
Open learning posters ↗Rabbit Showmanship
Practice safe handling, examination steps, presentation, and the questions a judge may ask.
Open learning posters ↗Vitamins & Nutrients
Review how protein, fiber, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water support rabbit health.
Open learning posters ↗Keep this close
Your fair-week resource board.
Links and dates should be updated from official county sources each project year.
Official rules
2026 Rabbit Rules
Review possession dates, tattoos, health, entries, market weights, show classes, and sale requirements.
Open 2026 rules ↗Official calendar
Rabbit Barn Schedule
Keep the complete check-in, family event, judging, show, sale, and tear-down schedule close.
Open schedule ↗Local help
Rabbit Committee
Email questions or follow the Facebook group for current reminders and fair updates.
Email the committee →Questions families ask
Good questions. Clear answers.
When a rule or deadline is involved, always verify it with the current official materials.
No. Project enrollment and fair entry are separate steps. Enrolling makes you a rabbit-project member. Fair entry tells the fair which animals and classes you plan to exhibit.