A County Af(Fair): A Brief History of the Fort Bend County Fair & Rodeo

1878

The first annual fair of the Fort Bend Agri & Horticultural Society was advertised to take place in Richmond. There is no evidence of the goings-on of the day or if the tradition started that day was continued.

1900

The Texas Coaster from May 4, 1900 details another first county fair. This time, the  festivities lasted for two days, were held at the public school yard and included a large parade, dances, music and numerous exhibits of livestock, handwork, art, edibles and flowers.

1933

The Fort Bend County Fair as presently constituted began. It was inspired by a series of fairs held in Needville in the mid-to-late 1920s. The success of these community fairs encouraged leading
citizens to expand the idea county-wide. The Fort Bend Fair Association was established in April 1933 and the site for the fair was purchased between Richmond and Rosenberg on Ave. H — on the
property now occupied by Fiesta.

Fort Bend County Fair Parade

1940s

During World War II, the Fairgrounds were used to house German POWs.

This photograph shows the prisoner barracks at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds during World War II.

1974

In 1974, the Fairgrounds were moved to the current location on State Highway 36 just south of U.S. Highway 59 in Rosenberg.

A group of men on horseback at the Fort Bend County Fair Arena.