Held from April 3-13, the Montgomery County Fair & Rodeo is returning to promote agriculture, youth and community, Tobin Redwine, executive director of the Montgomery County Fair Association said.

“It started in 1957 and when it began, it was using the model of field day,” Redwine said. “You know, there were agricultural exhibits, literally in someone's field, where someone would go and see agricultural products and animals and things like that; eventually that's morphed over the decades to become the event that it is.”

What to expect

Marketing Community Coordinator Madison Harris said this year, the Montgomery County Fair & Rodeo has expanded its number of exhibitors from 18 to 30. Exhibitors will have Western-themed items such as clothing and accessories, carnival food, and services such as face painting and permanent jewelry.

While the Montgomery County Fair & Rodeo will maintain its mission to support the youth of Montgomery County, attendees can expect new attractions, exhibits and entertainment options.“One of the things that I love about our county fair is that it does offer an intersection of history and what happens every year with new opportunities and new experiences each year,” Redwine said. “The attractions and rides in our carnival have some of the same features, but also some of the newest ones.”

Attractions to expect this year include dueling pianos, swine races and a knowledge barn that offers educational and interactive exhibits.

Dates to know

• April 3: Senior Citizens Day
• April 4: Sunshine Day, a day dedicated to the special needs community
• April 4: Live music featuring Jacob Stelly
• April 5: Live music with Sammy Kershaw
• April 7-8: Kids Day, with entertainment catered to children in pre-K through fourth grade
• April 10: Ladies night at the wine tent
• April 13: El Día de la Familia Hispana, a day dedicated to the Hispanic community

The impact

Redwine said Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo was founded to raise scholarship funds and provide agriculture education and entertainment, and has enhanced its rodeo experience with educational experiences, attractions and activities throughout the years.The community-led rodeo is organized and made possible by volunteers and community members.

“The activities and events at our fair are really a reflection of our community and of our volunteers,” Redwine said.

To make the county rodeo possible, Redwine said the Montgomery County Fair Association holds special fundraising events throughout the year. Special events held and funds raised in auctions last year include:

• Golf tournament: $26,000
• Team roping: $5,230
• Scholarship chili cook-off: $11,176
• Scholarship trail ride: $11,636

According to the Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo’s annual review, the rodeo had 74,000 visitors last year, earned $158,000 in scholarship funds, awarded 60 scholarships and earned $1.65 million to champion the youth of Montgomery County.

• 9333 Airport Road, Conroe
• www.mcfa.org