Meet at our shore in 2024!
June 18-21 Fremont, Ohio
The Ohio Ayrshire Breeders Association is excited to welcome you to Fremont, Ohio for the 2024 National Ayrshire Convention!
Located in Northwest Ohio near the Lake Erie beaches, this year’s convention is packed with farm tours, youth activities and social activities that will make all Ayrshire fans excited to attend. Highlights include:
- Cedar Point Amusement Park
- Ayrshire Youth Quiz Bowl and Jeopardy
- National Ayrshire Ambassador Competition
- Jack Miller Memorial Youth Heifer Show
- Dinner at Copper Whale Winery
- Awards Banquets
- Tour at Miller Farms, Bradner OH
- Dinner Cruise on Lake Erie
- Udder Eloquence Ayrshire Speaking Contest
- Grand National Ayrshire Sale
Whether you’re making the trip solo or bringing the whole family, you definitely don’t want to miss this year’s National Ayrshire Convention. Book your hotel now and start packing your bags for Ohio this June!
hotel information
Comfort Inn & Suites
840 Sean Dr. Fremont, OH 43420
There are a limited number of multiple-bed suite options, so be sure to book early!
Cutoff date for convention rate registrations is May 19, 2024.
Book your room online or call the hotel direct at 419-355-9300 (Group name: USAyrshire)
camping
Sandusky County Fairgrounds
901 Rawson Ave, Fremont, OH 43420
Located approximately one mile from the Convention hotel. Campsites with water and electric are available for $25/night. Black and gray water must be contained in its own holding tanks.
Campsites must be reserved by June 10, 2024.
Camping rules and reservation form.
grand national sale
Sandusky County Fairgrounds
901 Rawson Ave, Fremont, OH 43420
If you have a consignment for consideration, please contact Erica Davis! 614-371-8533 or [email protected]
Check back closer to Convention for a sale catalog!
Bring your stock trailer for the sale and show!
This year, we’ll be hosting the first annual Jack Miller Memorial National Ayrshire Youth Heifer Show. All youth are invited to join in on the competition! National junior membership is required to enter, and can be applied and paid for at the show.
Any class winners or champions that wish to be drafted for the sale may do so immediately after the show.
Spring Heifers thru Fall Yearlings (not in milk) plus Junior and Senior Showmanship classes
Jack Miller Memorial Youth Heifer Show Information
Show date — June 21, 8:00 a.m.
Entry deadline June 1 — Late entries due June 14
Heifers may arrive after noon on Monday, June 17 and must be in place by Thursday, June 20 at noon
Barn help will be available to assist in care of animals Wednesday during the day as well as evening chores on Wednesday (youth contest day) and Thursday (farm tour and evening activity). Bedding will be provided.
convention schedule and information
During the day, the Ohio Ayrshire Breeders convention committee will help coordinate individual or group/family activities, such as trips to Cedar Point, fishing at Lake Erie, and other local activities. Contact Heather Etgen (below) to make plans!
Registration open from 2-7 p.m. in hotel convention area
In the evening, dinner is on your own, and we have the hospitality suite open for socialization!
Breakfast at hotel
8:00 a.m. – National Junior contests at Sandusky County Fairgrounds
8:00 a.m. – ABA Board of Directors meetings at Comfort Inn & Suites
12:00 noon – Lunch provided for youth at fairgrounds and board at hotel
2:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Registration open in hotel convention area
6:30 p.m. – Youth Banquet at Copper Whale Winery. Evening will include dinner, national youth awards and a relaxing evening with friends in an outdoor pavilion atmosphere including games, fire pits and s’mores
Evening – Hospitality room open at hotel
Breakfast at hotel
Show animals must be in place at fairgrounds by noon
7:00 a.m. – Registration open at hotel convention area
8:30 a.m. – Buses depart for Miller’s Ayrshires. This herd of registered Ayrshires has served as a pillar of awesome genetics within the Ohio Ayrshire Breeders’ Association. It is a must-see!
11:30 a.m. – Lunch at Miller’s
12:45 p.m. – Depart for the Great Ayrshire Race at Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center. This adventure will provide entertainment, sportsmanship, awesome prizes, American history, education and relaxation – all while honoring the US Ayrshire Breeders Foundation – on the beautiful (and shady!) grounds of the Rutherford B. Hayes Center.
5:15 p.m. – Depart hotel for dinner cruise on Lake Erie
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. – Cruise Lake Erie on the Good Time Charter. The evening will include dinner while cruising on Lake Erie. Special national award recognitions will be made for Master Breeder, Distinguished Service and Young Breeder recipients. The National Ayrshire Youth Fun Auction will conclude the evening.
Evening – hospitality room open at hotel
Breakfast at hotel
7:00 a.m. – Registration open at hotel convention area
7:00 a.m. – Breakfast at Sandusky County Fairgrounds
8:00 a.m. – Jack Miller Memorial National Convention Ayrshire Youth Heifer Show
11:30 a.m. – Lunch provided at the Sandusky County Fairgrounds
1:00 p.m. – Ayrshire Breeders’ Association Annual Meeting at Sandusky County Fairgrounds
3:30 p.m. – Youth public speaking contest & more! Juniors won’t want to miss this opportunity to win even more cool prizes! This contest will be entertainment for adults and kids.
4:00 p.m. – Grand National Ayrshire Sale Cattle Preview
5:00 p.m. – Dinner provided at the Sandusky County Fairgrounds
6:30 p.m. – Grand National Ayrshire Sale. The drawing for the Ohio Ayrshire Mega Cow Cash awards for juniors will take place prior to the start of the sale as well as selling a few special items for the National Ayrshire Youth Fun Auction.
Entertainment will be provided following the sale in the Hospitality Garden*.
*There will be a hospitality garden open Friday afternoon and evening for your comfort and for a place to sit and relax with Ayrshire friends. All of Friday’s activities will take place at the Sandusky County Fairgrounds.
We look forward to seeing you on our shore in 2024!
convention questions
Heather Etgen
Ohio National Convention Registration Coordinator
(419) 303-6964
[email protected]