Rules – Should a conflict arise between these rules and other rules or information, these rules will take precedence.
Dates / Times – The 2023 Fair dates are Friday, September 29th thru Sunday, October 8, 2023 (ten days).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.
Press – Member of the Press are invited to attend the Fair.Proper credentials must be presented to the Fair Office.
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.
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 Cart Use - 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 3/2023