Rules – Should a conflict arise between these rules and other rules or information, these rules will take precedence.
Dates / Times – The 2026 Fair dates are Thursday, September 24th thru Sunday, October 4th 2026. Official opening and closing times for the Fair will be posted.
Postponement – The Fort Bend County Fair Association reserves the right to postpone or extend the Fair, in part or whole, for any reason which may be deemed necessary.
Gate Rules -
Prohibited Items
- Alcohol: Outside alcoholic drinks
- Illegal Drugs or Substances.
- Bags: Backpacks, bags or purses larger than 24" x 15" x 18"
- Banners/Signs: Banners or signs containing advertising, sponsorships or language/messaging deemed to be in poor taste or offensive.
- Noisemakers: Fireworks, air horns, whistles, and bells.
- Devices & Drones: Drones, laser pointers, hoverboards, and selfie sticks.
- Photography Equipment: Professional cameras, photography lenses over 3 inches, detachable tripods and monopods.
- Motorized or Wheeled Apparatus: Bicycle/E-Bikes, skateboards, segways, wheelie shoes, rollerblades, scooters (not medically assigned), etc.
- Any powered or non-powered transportation device without credible assurance that the device is being used because of disability or cannot be operated in a safe/controlled manner.
- Animals: No animals are allowed except for service animals.
Gate Entry Guidelines
- Clear Bags Not Required: While clear bags are not mandatory, bags, backpacks and purses cannot exceed 24" x 15" x 18" and could be subject to search.
- No Onsite Storage: There are no lockers or bag-holding areas at the gates. Prohibited items cannot be held by staff and must be returned to your vehicle.
- Strollers & Wagons: Permitted on the grounds.
- Dress Code: Guests must wear appropriate, family-friendly clothing. Overly revealing attire, face coverings, excessively torn clothing, and visible undergarments are strictly prohibited.
- Press – Any and all media must be granted access by Fort Bend County Fair's media representative - Barbara Magana Robertson
Photography - No cameras with detachable lenses or lenses larger than 3 inches long will be permitted on the fairgrounds. No video/photography (professional or amateur) will be allowed on the fairgrounds. Portraits and other photography or video footage being used for personal, promotional or commercial purposes are prohibited.
Livestock Entries – RESIDENCY – All entrants in the Livestock Department must;
- Be a RESIDENT OF FORT BEND COUNTY or ZONED TO A SCHOOL in Fort Bend County.
- Be a LEGAL U.S. CITIZEN WITH SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER or PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD.
- Not have shown a market animal or commercial heifer in any other county fair or county youth fair from January 1st through October 31st of the current calendar year.
Inquiries – Inquiries for entry forms, department rules and vendor contracts can be made at the Fair Office by mail, phone or via the Fair’s web site.
Exhibits / Exhibitors
- All exhibits must be in place as designated in the department rules. For check out times, please refer to department rules.
- No exhibit in any department may be removed before the designated check out time without a permit. Permits can only be obtained in the Fair Office. Requests for permits must be made by the Chairman-in-Charge in writing.
- All exhibitors are required to have a liability release form signed and notarized, annually, on file at the Fair office in order to show at/on the fairgrounds.
- Any tampering with projects entered in
the Fort Bend County Fair, along with their associated materials and supplies,
will not be tolerated. Any exhibitor
found to be tampering with the project of another exhibitor will be subject to
immediate disqualification and removal from the Fairgrounds as well as
forfeiture of any placings, awards and sales proceeds. Criminal charges could be filed against any
person found to be tampering with the project of an exhibitor, based on the
totality of the circumstances.
Judges / Judging
- No person who is an exhibitor can act as a judge in the department in which he/she exhibits.
- If any person willfully makes known to the judge, his/her ownership of an exhibit or pedigree thereof, he/she shall not be entitled to the premium.
- Decisions of the judges and classifiers are final.
Vendors
- All articles must be unpacked and made ready for display immediately upon arrival. All crates and boxes must be removed from the grounds by the exhibitor. Exhibitors will bear expense of delivering, setting up and removing their exhibits.
- Exhibit space must be kept in clean condition. Dumpsters are provided.
Premiums / Vouchers
- No premiums will be awarded to any exhibit unless the judges deem it worthy.
- Vouchers given by the Fort Bend County Fair in payment for premiums may be presented during the Fair at the cashier’s office.
- Vouchers must be presented within one week after close of the Fair at the Fair Office for payment.
- All premiums unclaimed after seven days of the closing of the Fair shall be considered forfeited.
Protests – Protest Filing – All protests must be in writing and be accompanied by a $300 deposit (cash or credit card) which will not be returned if protest is not sustained by the Fair Board. If the protest is upheld, the deposit will be refunded. If protest is withdrawn prior to board action, refund will be issued. Protest must state plainly the cause of complaint or appeal and must be delivered to the Fair Manager immediately after the occasion that prompted the protest. Protests will be accepted prior to, during and within 2 hours immediately following the occasion that prompted the protest. The Fair Board shall serve as the arbitrators.
Soliciting – No person will be permitted to distribute advertising matter upon the fairgrounds except from their places of business or exhibit space. The tacking or posting of any advertising bill, cards, etc., other than within the space occupied by exhibit is strictly prohibited. The distribution of hand bills, flyers or heralds will not under any circumstances be permitted. Any violation of this rule is liable to fine of expulsion from the fairgrounds. Begging, soliciting, singing or public speaking are absolutely prohibited unless special permission is obtained from the Fair Manager with approval of Board.
Prizes / Drawings – All prizes for drawings must be given during Fair dates. Name and address of winners must be provided to Fair office by closing of fair.
Loss / Damage – The Fort Bend County Fair Association will not be responsible for any loss or damage to animals or articles while on the fairgrounds or in transit to or from the fairgrounds for any cause whatsoever.
Injury Claim – No claim for injury to any person or property shall ever be assessed, nor suit instituted or maintained against the Fort Bend County Fair Association, its officer or agents, by or on behalf of any persons, firms, corporations, or their exhibit on the fairgrounds or who occupy space thereon.
Final Rulings – Any case not provided for in the foregoing rules or in the several separate department rules will be referred to the management and/or Board of Directors for a decision.
Coggins – All horses are required to have a negative E.I.A. (Coggins) test within the past 12 months.
Personal Equipment – All motorized equipment etc., not provided by the fair, must have owner’s insurance and must be approved by the Board of Directors and will not be allowed on the grounds prior to 45 days before the Fair.
Golf Carts - Anyone operating a golf cart or motorized vehicle must have a valid driver’s license and be approved by the Board of Directors.
Unmanned Aircraft – No unmanned aircraft systems will be allowed to fly over the Fairgrounds (i.e. drones, remote control planes, etc.) unless approved by the Board of Directors
Attendee Removal – If deemed necessary by management, any person or persons may be removed from the fairgrounds and will not be allowed re-entry during the duration of the Fair. Anyone who is removed from the Fairgrounds could be subject to being banned from the Fairgrounds for life.
Safety – The health, safety and welfare of all exhibitors, judges, volunteers, patrons and animals is of the utmost importance. Decisions to act accordingly should an emergency situation occur, will be at the discretion of the director, chairman and / or emergency personnel.
Fair Rights – The Fort Bend County Fair reserves the right to change rules and regulations if deemed necessary.
Board Approved 3/2026