The Illinois State Fair announced in August they would expand livestock exhibitor ages in 2016 to include all young people ages 8 to 21. State Fair manager Patrick Buchen has further details on those new rules, including the following:

• Participation age for junior livestock shows will be from 8 years old to 21 years old.
• Individuals must turn 8 before January 1.
• Individuals cannot turn 21 prior to January 1.
• New age rules apply to both Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair.

Previously, junior livestock shows were limited to individuals aged 10 to 18 years, by September 1.

Participation age for junior livestock shows at the Illinois State Fair will be from 8 to 21 years, by January 1.

"Animals exhibited at the Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair are also shown at nationally recognized events. Therefore, we feel our participation age should mirror junior show rules," Buchen says. "If a young adult is able to show at a national show in Texas, Iowa or Kentucky, they should also be able to show at the Illinois and DuQuoin State Fairs."

Related: See You at the Illinois State Fair: Ag is back, baby

The measure was approved unanimously by the Illinois State Fair Advisory Board.

"We're trying to elevate the Illinois State Fair to make it like a national show," says Illinois Department of Ag Director Philip Nelson. "You can already come here and see some of the best livestock in the country. We want to do a better job of accommodating exhibitors and consumers in a venue they can be proud of."

Illinois 4-H says it is on board with the age expansion, and Illinois 4-H Director Lisa Diaz adds the age expansion will also apply to all non-livestock 4-H projects. All 4-H members will be eligible to participate based on existing county fair selection processes.

"I support expanding state fair exhibit opportunities to all of our 4-H members for both the junior livestock show and the 4-H general projects show. I have reached out to our 4-H staff across the state and feel there is broad support for this shift," says Diaz.

"Based on the membership of our organizations, the announced age change for the State Fair Junior Livestock Show in 2016 will only affect 4-H on the lower end (including 8- to 9-year-olds) and only affect FFA on the higher end (19- to 21-year-olds)," she adds.

Further good news for 4-Hers exhibiting at the state fair: the 4-H General Project Show will again be held in the Orr Building in 2016.

Related: See You at the Illinois State Fair: Everybody gets to show (next year)

To learn more about participation in junior livestock shows at the Illinois State Fair visit illinoisstatefair.info. A list of frequently asked questions will be posted on the website to help exhibitors understand the new requirements.