From nightly live music to carnival rides to daily rodeo shows, here is a rundown of events at the 98th annual North Texas Fair & Rodeo in Denton.
What to know
The fair and rodeo will be held from Aug. 21-30 at the North Texas Fairgrounds and is put on by the The North Texas State Fair Association, a nonprofit community organization. Tickets are already available for purchase, with a slight variation depending on the day for gate entry tickets. Access to carnival rides are not included in the gate entry tickets.
There are a variety of single-day and multi-day passes that include tickets for multiple days and carnival ride inclusions:
- Combination package: single-day unlimited ride wristband and gate entry (adults and children): $58
- Single-day unlimited ride wristband: $38
- Season pass presale for all 10 days: $178
- Four-day pass: $83
For those who purchase their tickets at the gate, guests must use a Magic Money armband, which is the fair’s currency. One digital credit equals $1, and single-day wristbands are valid for five hours.
Patrons can purchase food, drinks, single carnival rides, petting zoo feed, games and some commercial exhibits using Magic Money or a credit/debit card.
What to do
There are several main attractions to the fair and rodeo, including musical acts and different rodeo variations.
Rodeo admission is included with gate admission, and seating is first-come, first-served at the Coors Rodeo Arena. The rodeo schedules are as follows:
PRCA Rodeo
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo features all the typical rodeo events, including bareback riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping and bull riding.
Invitational Ranch Rodeo
This rodeo stars working ranch cowboys from North Texas ranches and highlights their basic ranching duties in a competition format. Events include bronc riding, team sorting and team doctoring.
21 and Under Rodeo
This event is for men and women under the age of 21. The two-day performances will feature the same stunts and the PRCA Rodeo.
Bull Blowout
For eight seconds, participants will ride bulls and do freestyle bull fights, among other stunts. The invitational is a two-bull team format.
Celebración Del Toro
Ultimate Bullfighters will be on hand to play “bull games” in a different take on bull fighting.
Mutton Bustin’
The top 32 kids ages 3-7 that participated in the Mutton Bustin' competitions at the First State Bank Livestock Pavilion will be selected from an entry to ride in the Coors Rodeo Arena during the nightly performances. The kids will have their names drawn at random to see which night they participate at the Coors Rodeo Arena.
- Aug. 24-26, 6:30 p.m.; First State Bank Livestock Pavilion
- Aug. 27-30, 7:30 p.m.; Coors Rodeo Arena
The headlining musical lineups at the Miller Lite Main Stage start around 9:30 p.m. after the rodeos except for the Aug. 28 act, which starts around 9 p.m. There are also music acts at the Cool Zone Revolver Stage every day of the rodeo. Live music is included in entry tickets.
Parking
The fairgrounds has a dedicated parking lot for $15, and there will be free shuttle services on both Saturdays of the event from First Baptist Church, located at 1100 Malone St., and the Texas Woman’s University Light Blue Lot near Pioneer Soccer Park.
What else?
There will be a beauty queen pageant, the Rodeo Queen contest and coronation, and a variety of contests, including a photography competition, creative arts contest, youth art content and a baking competition.
Other attractions at the fair include:
- Livestock shows at the First State Bank Livestock Pavilion (Aug. 21-23, Aug. 27-30)
- Parade (Aug. 22, 9 a.m.)
- Carnival rides (daily)
- Exhibits and food vendors (daily)
Entry forms for each competition can be found on the fair’s website.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect additional information.
