Why the Rogers County Fair Junior Premium Auction

Could Be the Most Important Fundraising Event You Will Attend in 2026

The immediate answer to this WHY question is simple…we all have to eat and the Rogers County Fair Junior Premium Auction provides an opportunity for the community to come together to contribute to the student’s future endeavors. “While the sale appears to be a traditional auction (which is a lot of fun), the animal doesn’t change ownership. The money bid is a premium (a financial prize) used to fund new projects or go into the student’s educational fund,” said Susan Gebhart, Rogers County Premium Auction Committee. “Besides bidding in the sale, the community may also contribute to students in the auction through add-on contributions.” Add-on donations can be made during the live auction or through a link on Premium Sale Face Book Event Page in any amount. The online add-on site is linked to www.rogerscountyfair.com/premium-sale, and is open from September 21 to October 18. “We are always happy to see how quickly $10 here or $20 there adds up,” Gebhart expressed.

About the Rogers County Fair Junior Premium Auction

Each fall the Rogers County Fair is a seasonal highlight for Northeastern Oklahoma families. According to fair officials there are nearly 30,000 visitors to the fair during its four-day run, it’s a 112-year-old tradition where attendees experience family fun, entertainment, and rural living.

The Rogers County Junior Premium Auction is scheduled Monday, September 21, 2026, 5:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., at the Claremore Expo Center located at 400 Veterans Pkwy. in Claremore, OK. You can meet the students beginning at 5:00 p.m. and the auction begins at 6:30 p.m. The auction, referred to as the Premium Sale, highlights the best in the livestock shows. The top 89 exhibitors in the livestock shows representing champions and winners in cattle (beef and dairy) sheep, swine, and goats are eligible to sell in the Premium Sale. All the sale participants are student exhibitors taking part in FFA and 4-H youth livestock programs in Rogers County. Don’t worry, you don’t actually take an animal home, instead this is a fun-for-all bidding event for an important cause that benefits FFA and 4-H student livestock projects and agricultural education.

Students compete in the livestock shows during the fair to showcase their animals and test their showmanship skills. “It takes hours of work raising, training, feeding, grooming, exercise, and creating ideal living conditions for animals to live up to their genetic potential,” explains Gebhart. “While it may look like a casual beauty contest to some observers, these events are built with students’ education, hard work, family and community support, focus, perseverance, and determination. The skills our students develop in these programs enhance our future food chain, produce better students, excellent employees, and future business leaders in many other professions. We count amongst our alumni of the Rogers County Junior Premium Auction many students with well-known names in government, business, banking, medicine, law, and agriculture,” she emphasized.

Showmanship Scholarships

The Premium Sale also serves to present outstanding students with scholarships earned by the Senior Showmanship Champion in each of the livestock species plus Senior Horse Showmanship winner. Gebhart said, “Champions receive a 1-year scholarship to Rogers State University, with 6 division winners each year. It’s a significant achievement for those kids and a very generous offering from Rogers State University.”

High Bids = Educational Investment

“We hope you’ll support our local FFA and 4-H youth during the Rogers County Junior Premium Sale. If you attend in person arrive early to meet the students where you can learn more about the impact and importance of your donations,” Gebhart added.