Katy FFA’s Greer Gibson and Riley Vodehnal took Grand Champion honors at the 2024 Fort Bend County Fair, while Sabrina Smith of Tompkins High School took top honors in the fair’s student art auction. The fair took place September 27 through October 6 at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds at 4310 Hwy. 36 South in Rosenberg.

This year, over $1.1 million dollars were generated through the Fair's auctions: Replacement Heifer Auction, School Art Auction, Jr Livestock Auction, Freezer/ Last Draw Art Sale. The 2024 top buyers (without add-ons) are Perry & Perry Builders, Accurate Meter & Supply, and Hays Electrical.

Over 600 entries for livestock projects were exhibited. Needville High School students Keylan Poe and Rylee Zwahr swept the steer show top honors. Poe, carrying on a family tradition, won Grand Champion Steer, and Zwahr took home Reserve Champion Steer. Compression Components purchased Poe's steer, and Accurate Meter and Supply purchased Zwahr's.

Katy FFA's Greer Gibson took Grand Champion Pen of 3 Broilers and was purchased by Don LeBlanc and Debra Spies. Other Grand and Reserves: Pen of 3 Rabbits, Grand Champion – Owen Strain of Terry FFA, purchased by past fair honoree Renee Butler of Another Time Soda Fountain; Reserve champion Pen of 3 Rabbits - Gabriella Rodriguez of Travis FFA, Purchased by this year's top buyer, Perry & Perry Builders. Grand Champion Goat was exhibited by Jax Dylla of George Ranch FFA and purchased by Johnson Development. Reserve Champion Goat was won by Charli Ortega of Big Creek 4-H and purchased by The Official Bootman/Dennis, Darvis Bucking Bulls Reserve Champion Pen of 3 Broilers won by Miriam Janczak of Needville 4-H and was purchased by The Colunga Family. Grand Champion Lamb was Gage Wilson of Big Creek 4-H and purchased by Finnegan Auto, and Reserve Champion Lamb was Jayden Zwahr of 4-H Livestock Producers and purchased by Drabek Farm 2. Grand Champion Turkey honors went to Brody Sebesta, who has won grand or reserve honors in the past few years and was purchased by Hays Electrical. Reserve Champion Turkey was Paislee Tadlock of Terry Jr FFA, purchased by Turquoise Saddle. Grand Champion Roaster was Naevaeh Mattheessen of Foster FFA, purchased by Coopwood Coastal, and Reserve Champion Roaster – Michael Jochen of Needville Jr FFA, purchased by Omni Special Services LLC.

Grand Champion Swine was exhibited by Riley Vodehnal of Katy FFA and purchased by Accurate Meter & Supply. Reserve Champion Swine was earned by Gretchen Leggett of Foster FFA and purchased by Commissioner Vincent Morales Buyers Group and Kovasovic's Meat Market –Rosenberg. Grand Champion Replacement Halter Heifer – Zoey Talbott of Ridge Point FFA was purchased by Perry & Perry Builders. Reserve Champion Replacement Halter Heifer – Jackson Talbott of Ridge Point FFA was purchased by Red & White. Reserve Champion Replacement Pen of 2 Heifers was Grace Wilcox of Lone Star Bend 4-H and purchased by MK Cattle Company.

In the Student Art Auction, over $41,000 was generated for the student artists. Grand Champion "Workin in the Coop!" from the WIDE School was painted by Perrin Aucoin, and Reserve Champion "Rodeo Reverie" by Sabrina Smith of Tompkins High School. Perry and Perry Builders, It's the Pits,

Commissioner Vincent Morales Buyers Group, and Richmond Garden Club were some of the top buyers.

The Fort Bend County Fair Association awarded over a quarter of a million dollars in scholarships to deserving youth this year. "Whether through the auctions or our scholarship programs, we are helping the youth of our county reach their educational goals,” said Fort Bend County Fair President Alicia Casias.” It is an invaluable way to help shape and invest in our future,".

The iconic event started with a parade led by parade marshal Olympic swimmer and seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Manuel who led the parade before an estimated crowd of 20,000. The Senior Citizen Day welcomed a crowd of nearly 1,000 bingo-playing visitors.

A Sensory Calm Down Corral for children with intellectual challenges was established this year. The new initiative provided sensory-friendly toys and tools for families with children who have special needs. The Sensory Calm Down Corral provided a calm and quiet environment where children could regulate their emotions and rejoin fair activities once they felt ready. There are already plans to extend the hours of operation for 2025. Old Three Hundred Horse Show, Exceptional Rodeo, and Special Citizens Day are a few more events the Fort Bend County Fair hosts in their inclusion efforts, a spokesperson for the fair said in a press release.

With over 70 teams, the Fort Bend County Fair's BBQ Cookoff weekend was lit up with competition. No Limit Cookers took the top honors of Grand Champion BBQ Team, and the Reserve Champion team was presented to Dr BBQ. This was No Limit Cookers’ fourth year to compete in the cookoff.

Saige Katherine Sowa, a 16-year ofd Stephen F. Austin High School junior, was crowned 2024 Fort Bend County Fair Queen. Queen Saige is the daughter of Bill and Lori Sowa of Sugar Land. Maddison Malek of Needville High School was named first runner-up, and Miss Congeniality was awarded to Hannah Funderburk of Foster High School.

For its second year the Horticultural Competition was held. Photography top winner was Laylianna Albatainch and Container Grown Plant first place winner was Madalena Diaz. Contestants do not need to be a member of a 4-H Club or FFA Chapter to participate.

The 2025 fair will be held from September 26 to October 5, 2025. For event information or volunteer opportunities, visit fortbendcountyfair.com.