The 79th Annual Berkeley County Youth Fair runs August 1 – August 8, 2026 at the BCYF Fairgrounds (2419 Golf Course Road, Martinsburg, WV). The full day-by-day breakdown of shows, concerts, and events is on our Schedule page.
Saturday, August 1st — $10 adult · Kids free
Sunday, August 2nd – Saturday, August 8th
Gate admission starts at 12:00 pm on Sunday, August 2nd and continues through Friday, August 7th.
Sunday, August 2nd — Military Appreciation Day · Military / Veteran with ID — $3
Wednesday, August 5th — Senior Citizen Day · Free admission from 12 noon until 5pm for ages 62 and older (ID required)
Saturday, August 8th — Admission starts at 1:00 pm
Subject to change without notification. Full pricing including wristband options is on our Admission Prices page.
Yes — children 12 and under get into the fair for free as long as they're with a paying adult. This is one of the things that makes BCYF a true family fair. Kids 13 and older pay adult admission.
Yes — parking is free for all fair visitors. We have several lots on the grounds. Accessible parking is available near the main entrance. See our Directions page for the best route in based on where you're coming from.
Yes — the carnival is separate from gate admission. Your fair admission ticket gets you onto the fairgrounds; carnival rides are paid separately at the carnival entrance. Wristbands range from $25–$40 depending on the night, with Wednesday being the best deal. Full details on our Carnival page.
Yes! Wednesday is Senior Day — adults 62+ get free gate admission from 12pm-5pm. Other special days throughout the week feature live music, livestock shows, and the demolition derby on Saturday.
Yes — your daily admission ticket is good for re-entry the same day. Just keep your ticket stub or hand stamp visible when you return through the gate.
Personal pets are not allowed on the fairgrounds for the safety of livestock and visitors. Service animals (as defined by the ADA) are welcome. Show dogs registered for the Dog Show are an exception during their show time.
Yes — ATMs are available on the grounds during fair week. That said, many vendors prefer cash, so we recommend bringing some with you to skip ATM fees and avoid lines. Some food and ride vendors also accept cards.
Yes. The fairgrounds are stroller-friendly and wheelchair-accessible. Most areas are paved or hard-packed gravel. Accessible parking is available near the main entrance and accessible restrooms are located throughout the grounds.
Our Lost & Found is at the Fair Office, located near the main gate. Found items are held there during fair week. After the fair, contact [email protected] to inquire about lost items.
BCYF is dedicated entirely to youth exhibitors. Members of 4-H, FFA, FCCLA, Scouting America, Girl Scouts, or the Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle in Berkeley County are eligible to exhibit livestock, indoor projects, contests, and more. Visit the Registration page to sign up.
Online registration is required for all exhibitors. Visit the Online Registration page for the link to sign up, deadlines, and a list of required information.
Species-specific livestock rules (Beef, Dairy, Goat, Sheep, Swine, Poultry, Rabbit, Horse, Dogs) are organized in the Livestock Rules library. Indoor project, contest, and youth organization rules are in the Exhibitor Rules Library. All rules are available as downloadable PDFs.
Each livestock species has its own chair and dedicated email. Beef → Scott Boyd · Dairy → Barbie Elliott · Goat → Patricia Gross · Sheep → Taylor Shade · Swine → Bobby Miller · Poultry → Cindy Raines · Rabbits → Cassie Custer · Horse → Airika Riner · Dogs → Caitlin Koski. Full email list and chair contacts on our Contact page.
The 66th Annual Miss BCYF Queen contest is Friday, July 31, 2026 at 7:00 PM at the Indoor Arena. Tea reception, judges' interviews, and rehearsal happen earlier the same day at 1:00 PM at the Sycamore. Applications open May 19, 2026 and are due July 1, 2026. Eligibility details and how to apply are on the Miss BCYF Queen page.
Yes — the $1,500 BCYF Scholarship is available to graduating seniors and current undergraduates who are members of recognized BCYF youth organizations and have participated in the fair for at least 3 years. Applications are due June 30 to the WVU Berkeley County Extension Office. Full criteria and the application are on the Scholarship page.
BCYF has options for our youngest community members! Pee Wee Showmanship and Bright Stars programs are for children below the standard exhibitor age, giving them a chance to participate in showmanship without the formal competition pressure. Details on the Pee Wee & Bright Stars page.
BCYF offers three booth options — inside (10×10), small outdoor (10×10), and large outdoor (25×25). Submit the application by mail or apply online. Early bird discount if postmarked by May 15. Full pricing, rules, and the application are on our Vendors page.
No — food vendors are by invitation only. Every food booth at the fair is a tested, trusted operator we've worked with year after year. Visit the Fair Food page for what to expect.
Sponsorship is one of the most direct ways to support youth in our community. We offer six tier options from Contributor to Fair Day Sponsor — only 7 Fair Day Sponsorships are available each year. Full benefits at each tier on our Sponsorship page.
Yes! The 2nd Edition Commemorative Fair Book accepts ads — $350 full-page, $275 half-page, or $50 Youth Thank You ads. 15% discount for participating youth organizations. Deadline for ads is March 1, 2026. Full details on the Advertising page.
We always need volunteers — especially during fair week — for concession stands, pop stands, gates, and parking areas. Individuals, families, church groups, scout troops, and school clubs are all welcome. Email [email protected] or call (304) 263-5869 to get involved.
