Not the first – but certainly the best – rodeo: The Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo kicks off March 23

THE WOODLANDS, TX – For those who think the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the best rodeo around, there are many in Montgomery County who believe that it’s merely the opening act for another rodeo that is tons more fun, tons less stressful, and tons more accessible to us: The Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo. A county mainstay for more than six decades, this year’s event is taking place starting March 23 and running until April 2 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.

For more than 65 years, the Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo and the community come together in support of local youth. Year after year, the rodeo is a raging success thanks to a tremendous team of volunteers, students, parents, and staff who work hard to create a fun and rewarding event.

In the days of yore before the Montgomery County Fair Association (MCFA) and the rodeo came to be what they are today, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Division began holding what became known as “Field Days.” During the early 1960s, these events began to vaguely resemble today’s Montgomery County Fair, featuring an auction and the Junior Livestock Show. As the annual event grew, various venues were utilized, until the Montgomery County Fairgrounds became the official site in 1968 and became incorporated in 1979.

Today, the Fair and Rodeo are chock full of activities for all ages, including live concerts, magic shows, animal races, kids’ days, sunshine day and senior citizen day, live auctions, carnival, BBQ, non-livestock shows, and more.

The rodeo proper will take place March 24 - 25; the Carnival occurring March 23 and April 2, and BBQ events March 31 - April 1. Drake Milligan will be performing live on Friday, March 24, and Pat Green will take the stage Friday, March 25, with both concerts starting 9:30 p.m.

Auction events include:
Junior non-livestock auction – Monday, March 27 at 7 p.m.
Junior livestock auction – Wednesday, March 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Replacement heifer auction – Thursday, March 20 at 7 p.m.

Auction registration closes March 22 and can be completed at mcfa.org.

The Kidz-Q Cook-Off will make mouths water on Saturday, April 1 – age divisions are: PeeWee (ages 5 - 9), Junior (ages 10 - 13), and Senior (ages 14 - 18).

Having local youth benefit from the rodeo and fair is of paramount importance to the MCFA officials. In 2022, more than 60 scholarships were awarded with $150,000 total scholarship commitment. The total 2022 MCFA commitment to youth and education amounted to more than $1.5 million. Over the past twenty nine years, just the Livestock Auction alone has earned just under $20,000,000.00, paid back to the youth of Montgomery County.

With more than 50,000 patrons who are expected this year with nearly 3,000 exhibitors, you’ll be in good company as you hit a rodeo that isn’t a headache to get to.