Permanent Home for Harris County Fair & Rodeo Moves Forward in Tomball with New Arena Filings on Telge Road
A long-awaited milestone has been reached for the Harris County Fair & Rodeo, as new construction filings confirm plans for two arena buildings that will anchor its permanent home at 19835 Telge Road in Tomball.
For families involved in FFA, 4-H, youth rodeo, and agricultural education across Harris County, the filings represent more than just buildings. They signal stability — and the promise of a dedicated, year-round fairground on the northwest side of Houston designed to support youth livestock exhibitions, scholarships, and family-focused community events for decades to come.
The projects, which have recently been filed with the state, include a 176,563-square-foot Agriculture Arena Building – Outdoor (Building 1) and a 15,455-square-foot Outdoor Arena Building (Building 2). Both are privately funded projects owned by Stockton Foundation Inc., with Fred Stockton listed as the owner contact. Design services are being provided by RSP Designs LLC of Meadows Place. Construction is expected to begin as early as March and July 2026, with projected completion dates extending into 2027. The total estimated cost for construction on these buildings is $2,240,000.
Leadership and the Push for a Permanent Fairground
The effort to reestablish the Harris County Fair & Rodeo has been driven by a group of agricultural advocates, volunteers, and community leaders who reorganized after Hurricane Harvey ended the previous 40-year Harris County Fair run in 2017.
Following the storm — which flooded the former fairgrounds with 18 feet of water and ultimately led to the condemnation of the site — members of the agricultural community began rebuilding from the ground up. In 2017, a grassroots Facebook group formed to gauge interest in restoring a county fair. By 2018, those efforts consolidated under the Harris County Fair and Rodeo Association, a nonprofit organization structured under IRS 501(c)(3) guidelines to operate for charitable and educational purposes.
Since relaunching, the association has focused on creating a sustainable model for a year-round fairground in northwest Harris County. The organization hosted its first new Harris County Fair in 2021 and returned $84,000 to youth exhibitors in its inaugural year — a milestone that underscored community support and leadership commitment to scholarships and exhibitor premiums.
The filing of permanent arena buildings on Telge Road represents one of the most concrete steps yet toward fulfilling that long-term vision.
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Why This Matters for Harris County Families
For many longtime residents, the Harris County Fair was once a fall tradition. Its closure left a noticeable gap in youth agricultural programming in the nation’s third-largest county.
While the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) remains one of the most prestigious major livestock shows in Texas, its scale and competitiveness can be daunting for first-time exhibitors. Organizers of the Harris County Fair & Rodeo have often described county fairs as a foundational level of development — providing young exhibitors a stepping stone before advancing to major competitions.
County fairs traditionally provide entry points for youth to gain experience, build confidence, and grow agricultural skills close to home.
Without a permanent county-level fairground, many Harris County families have had to travel farther or compete in larger, more intimidating environments.
Community Strength Supporting Youth & Agriculture
According to its mission and bylaws, the Harris County Fair & Rodeo exists to “encourage and promote agriculture by conducting an annual public fair, livestock exhibitions, horticulture and home economics in order to support the youth of Harris County, Texas through education and scholarship.”
The organization’s leadership has emphasized preserving agriculture in a rapidly urbanizing county while creating inclusive opportunities for youth from inner-city Houston to rural portions of Harris County.
Beyond livestock shows, the association envisions:
- Competitive events for residents of all ages, from baking contests to arts and crafts
- Youth rodeo events held throughout the year
- Opportunities for students who cannot raise animals to still participate competitively
- Scholarships recognizing hard work and dedication
- Support systems for families interested in entering agricultural projects
A permanent fairground along Telge Road in Tomball provides geographic accessibility for northwest Harris County while serving youth countywide.
What the Telge Road Project Includes
Building 1 – Agriculture Arena Building (Outdoor)
- 176,563 square feet
- Estimated cost: $2,000,000
- Construction start: July 8, 2026
- Estimated completion: July 8, 2027
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Building 2 – Outdoor Arena Building
- 15,455 square feet
- Estimated cost: $240,000
- Construction start: March 1, 2026
- Estimated completion: December 31, 2026
What Happens Next
With arena buildings now formally filed, early 2026 could mark the beginning of visible construction activity on the Telge Road property.
For many families who watched Hurricane Harvey close a four-decade tradition, the move toward a permanent home reflects persistence from community leadership and agricultural advocates who refused to let the county fair disappear.
In a county experiencing continued residential growth and urban development, the establishment of a year-round Harris County Fair & Rodeo fairground signals an effort to preserve agricultural education, youth opportunity, and a sense of shared community identity.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for continued updates on the Harris County Fair & Rodeo permanent home development in Tomball and other projects shaping northwest Harris County.
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.