For Bluestem families looking for a simple way to spend a Saturday together, one of Waller County’s longtime fall traditions is adding an afternoon designed especially for children.

Waller County Fair Kids Day is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead. Admission to the Kids Day activities is free, giving families a chance to experience part of the annual fair without adding another admission cost to the day.

The afternoon will feature games, an obstacle course and a petting zoo, with activities geared toward children and families. The event carries a straightforward invitation: bring the kids, spend a few hours together and make some fair memories.

For Bluestem residents, Kids Day also offers an easy introduction to a much larger community tradition. The 2026 Waller County Fair & Rodeo runs Sept. 24 through Oct. 3 at the Waller County Fairgrounds, located at 21988 FM 359 in Hempstead. 

Kids Day Brings Family-Friendly Fun to the Fairgrounds

The Sept. 26 Kids Day falls during a particularly active opening weekend for the Waller County Fair.

Families attending during the afternoon can expect the kind of uncomplicated activities that often become children's favorite fair memories: trying a game more than once, making it through an obstacle course and getting close to animals at the petting zoo.

With free admission for Kids Day, families can also use the event as an opportunity to introduce younger children to the Waller County Fair before deciding whether to return for other activities during the fair's 10-day run.

That opening Saturday is also scheduled to include the Waller County Fair Parade in downtown Hempstead, along with other youth and fair traditions, making Sept. 26 one of the most family-focused days on the calendar.

A Waller County Tradition With Local Youth at Its Center

The Waller County Fair is more than a collection of rides and rodeo performances. Its history in the county stretches back to 1945, and the Waller County Fair Association describes its mission as promoting a wholesome and productive lifestyle for young people while providing academic and vocational scholarship opportunities.

The nonprofit, volunteer-led organization has expanded its programs over the decades while keeping youth development, work ethic, sportsmanship and personal responsibility at the center of its mission. 

That purpose can be seen throughout fair week as young exhibitors bring livestock and other projects that often represent months of preparation.

For families newer to Bluestem and Waller County, attending the fair can also be a way to become better acquainted with the agricultural traditions that continue to shape the area even as new neighborhoods and development bring more residents to this part of Greater Houston.

What Else Is Happening at the 2026 Waller County Fair?

The 2026 Waller County Fair & Rodeo will offer far more than the Sept. 26 children's activities.

This year's lineup includes professional and youth rodeo competition, livestock shows and exhibits, carnival rides, live entertainment, Creative Living exhibits and community activities. Rodeo action begins during opening weekend with the CPRA Finals Sept. 24-26, followed later in the fair by Pete Carr Pro Rodeo performances Oct. 1-3. 

The fair also gives young exhibitors opportunities to show livestock including rabbits, goats, lambs, swine, poultry, heifers and steers. Those projects lead toward the Junior Livestock and Exhibit Auction, where community members and businesses can support local youth and the work that goes into their projects.

For visitors interested in midway attractions, the fair's official website says admission passes can include access to rodeos, dances, carnival activities and animal shows, depending on the ticket type purchased. Current ticket information lists general day admission for adults ages 13 and older at $15, with different pricing for children, seniors and Saturday evenings. 

Families planning to attend additional fair events should check the official Waller County Fair schedule before heading out, since individual event times and programming can change.

An Easy Saturday Outing for Bluestem Families

Community fairs tend to create their best memories in small moments: a child meeting a farm animal for the first time, siblings competing at a game or families running into neighbors they know from school, sports or the neighborhood.

For Bluestem residents, Waller County Fair Kids Day offers that experience close to home — and without an admission charge for the afternoon's children's activities.

Waller County Fair Kids Day

• Date: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
• Time: 12:30-3 p.m.
• Location: Waller County Fairgrounds, 21988 FM 359, Hempstead
• Kids Day Admission: Free
• Activities: Games, obstacle course and petting zoo

With the larger Waller County Fair & Rodeo continuing through Oct. 3, families who enjoy Kids Day will have several more opportunities to return for rodeo competition, livestock shows, carnival rides and other fair traditions.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more local events, family activities and Waller County community updates throughout the fall.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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