From Friday’s opening rodeo and carnival to livestock shows, contests and the BBQ cook-off, the Walker County Fair Association is again putting youth and community at the center of its annual signature event.
The 2026 Walker County Fair and Rodeo is underway in Huntsville after Thursday night’s parade through downtown helped officially launch one of Walker County’s biggest annual traditions.
Parade recognition is already part of this year’s early excitement. The Queen’s Contestants Float winner was Kynley Davidson. First-place float went to reigning Queen MaryJo Riley, and second place went to Sons of the American Revolution.
Now the focus shifts fully to the fairgrounds, where the Walker County Fair Association has lined up a multi-day run of rodeo performances, youth competitions, livestock events, live music, carnival attractions and community activities stretching into early April. Friday, March 27, serves as the first major public day of the fair, with general admission beginning at 4 p.m., the Special Kids Rodeo scheduled for 4 p.m., carnival hours from 5 to 11 p.m., the Prince and Princess Contest at 6 p.m. and the first PRCA rodeo performance at 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 28, continues with another packed day. General admission opens at 10 a.m., Mutton Bustin’ begins at 10 a.m., opening ceremonies and the crowning of the WCFA Fair Queen are set for noon, and the second PRCA rodeo performance starts at 7 p.m. The night wraps with the WCFA Kick Off Dance featuring Rick Trevino with special guest Jarrod Sterrett in the main building.
The official schedule shows the fair continuing Sunday, March 29, through Monday, April 6, with events including the Youth Rodeo, Academic Rodeo, livestock check-ins and shows, Pre-K Day, Kindergarten Day, the Premium Junior Livestock Sale, the BBQ Cook-Off, the Little Tykes Rodeo, the Premium Non-Livestock Sale and final cleanup day. The schedule also includes ongoing attractions such as the petting zoo, carnival and a variety of contest and exhibit categories.
What makes the Walker County fair more than just a rodeo weekend is the range of programs tied to local youth. The Walker County Fair Association says the fair showcases the work of local 4-H, FCCLA and FFA exhibitors, with students preparing year-round in hopes of earning top honors. The association’s motto, “An Investment in Youth Through Community Involvement,” helps explain why the event continues to hold such a central place in the county calendar.
That mission has deep roots. The association was organized on May 23, 1978, by parents, educators and community volunteers who wanted to restore a meaningful youth-centered activity that had not existed in Walker County since 1953. The first fair was held in March 1979 on city property near the airport. In 1981, the association purchased its permanent site on Highway 30 west of Huntsville, and in 1982 it completed the main building. The Academic Rodeo was added in 1989, and the first PRCA rodeo was held in 1990.
Over time, the fair has grown from a revived county project into a large-scale annual operation that blends agriculture, education and entertainment. The website lists livestock divisions including barrows, broilers, commercial heifers, goats, lambs, rabbits, scramble heifers, steers and turkeys, along with non-livestock categories such as baked and canned goods, clothing, fine arts, horticulture, junior quilts, photography and agricultural engineering and mechanical projects. Competitive events also include the Fair Queen Contest, Prince and Princess Contest, Academic Rodeo, Little Tykes Rodeo, Youth Rodeo, Mutton Bustin’, Livestock Judging Contest and the BBQ Cook-Off.
Several of those events are cornerstones of the modern fair experience. The Academic Rodeo gives kindergarten through eighth-grade students a chance to compete in math, spelling, arts and crafts and creative writing. The Little Tykes Rodeo is designed for children ages 8 and under, with separate age groups for ages 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 competing for belt buckles and trophies. The annual BBQ Cook-Off, held the last Friday and Saturday of the fair, regularly adds another layer of competition and community turnout.
The association’s history also reflects how much the event has expanded in its support of county youth over the years. Milestones listed on the fair’s website range from early scholarship awards in the 1990s to youth project sales topping $1 million in more recent years. The site lists 2024 youth sales at $1,334,945 and scholarships awarded at $48,400, underscoring how the fair functions not only as a public event but also as a fundraising and recognition platform for young exhibitors.
Leadership remains a visible part of that effort. The fair’s website lists Viola Hollis as president of the Walker County Fair Association and shows a large committee structure supporting everything from scholarships and sponsorships to parade planning, livestock divisions, rodeo and arena activities, exhibits, security, social media and special events. That broad volunteer framework helps explain how the fair continues to operate as one of Walker County’s most community-driven annual traditions.
For those planning to attend, the Walker County Fairgrounds is located at 3925 State Highway 30 West in Huntsville. The association lists its phone number as 936-291-8763 and its email as wcfa@walkercountyfair.com. The full schedule, ticket information and event details are available through the organization’s website.
More information
Walker County Fair Association
3925 State Hwy 30 W, Huntsville, TX 77340
Phone: 936-291-8763
Email: wcfa@walkercountyfair.com
Website: https://www.walkercountyfair.com/
Below is the 2026 Walker County Fair Schedule of Events