White River Poultry Club prepares for 2026 Fall Show

Poultry enthusiasts, exhibitors, and youth showmen will gather at the Owen County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 5 as the White River Poultry Club hosts its annual Fall Show. Located at 364 S. East St. in Spencer, the daylong event will feature open and junior exhibition classes for bantams, large fowl, and waterfowl.

This year’s show holds special significance for the organization, as it is dedicated to the memory of Tom Chandler (1937–2026) and continues to honor Larry Lawrence (1948–2023).

Exhibitors can begin cooping their birds on Friday, Sept. 4, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., with all birds required to be cooped in by 9 a.m. on show day. Official judging starts promptly at 9 a.m. under American Poultry Association (APA) and American Bantam Association (ABA) rules.

The Open Show will feature a slate of regional and national judges, including Jackie Koedatich of Florida, Ben Porter of Kentucky, and Mike Wasylkowski of Delaware. Top awards for the Open Show include plaques for Grand Champion Overall and Reserve Grand Champion Overall, as well as Champion and Reserve Champion honors across the Large Fowl, Bantam, and Waterfowl categories. Rosettes will be awarded to all class champions and reserve champions.

The show will also host specialty and club meets for several national breed organizations, including the International Waterfowl Breeders Association, Polish Breeders Club, Plymouth Rock Club of America, Rhode Island Red Club of America, American Silkie Bantam Club, Cochins International, International Cornish Breeders Association, and the White Face Black Spanish Club.

Youth exhibitors aged five to 18 will compete in a dedicated Junior Show. Designed to foster independence and skill in young poultry handlers, the junior division operates under a strict “eyes on and hands off” policy for parents, requiring youth exhibitors to coop in, feed, and care for their birds themselves.

Junior awards include plaques, rosettes, and specialty poultry show boxes for top champions. An optional Showmanship competition will also take place in the junior barn. Interested participants must sign up at the show table before 9 a.m. on Saturday and bring a separate bird not entered in the main show.

Rogier Poultry Supplies will be set up on site to offer equipment and feed for both exhibition breeders and backyard flock owners, while on-site concessions will be available for spectators and exhibitors.

All mail-in and email entries must be postmarked or received by Friday, Aug. 21, with an entry fee of $5 per bird. Paper forms can be mailed to Emmy Lineweaver at 926 Ridgeline Rd., Spencer, IN 47460 with checks payable to the White River Poultry Club. Email entries and PayPal payments using the Friends and Family option can be sent to Emmyn74@gmail.com.

Camping with electric and water hookups is also available on the fairgrounds for $50 per night. For more information, visit the White River Poultry Club on Facebook.