A Denton Texas Tradition: North Texas Fair and Rodeo

Did you know about the hybrid zeedonk, a crossbreed between a zebra and a donkey? The North Texas Fair and Rodeo (NTFR) featured zeedonks in the NTFR opening parade in 2009. The Denton County Fair and Blooded Stock Association (DCFBSA) hosted the first Denton County Fair in 1885.

This year’s 2024 NTFR kicks off for 10 days on August 16 and runs through to August 25. The North Texas Fair and Rodeo opens with a parade around the Denton Square. Community members decorate floats, and the North Texas Fairgrounders march with the six flags of Texas while leading the parade.

This year’s NTFR theme is “It’s What Cowboys Do”. The fair features 10 electrifying nights of hot country music, first-to-class rodeos, livestock shows, kid & fun zones, and the latest attractions. Registration for all the various events and competitions commence on Sunday, August 11. 

The NTFR rodeo and livestock shows are serious competition for the Fort Worth Fat Stock Show if you want to experience live cowboy and cowgirl action.

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The North Texas Fair & Rodeo Needs More Space: The North Texas Expo Center

The current North Texas Fair & Rodeo fairgrounds sit on a 33-acre site behind Kroger off University Drive, in Denton, Texas. The NTFR hosts about 200,000 visitors each year in August. The fairgrounds feature 30,000 square feet of shaded space and 100,000 square feet of air conditioned space.

The North Texas State Fair Association, a non-profit organization, operates the North Texas Fair & Rodeo. In 2018, fair officials reported to local DFW news media outlet that the NTFR had drawn up plans for a $70 million, 111-acre site west of I-35 and north of Ganzer Road.

Besides hosting the NTFR, the new fairgrounds will also accommodate exhibitions like home and garden shows, RV and boat expositions, an equestrian facility, a concert and sports venue, and serve as a venue for other events. At that time, the expected completion date for the new site was 2023. 

As of this writing, July 2024, the latest North Texas Expo Center (NTEC) has not released any updates to the media since January 2023. In 2020, the Denton County Commissioners accepted a certified appraisal roll. There are no dates for starting construction on the NTEC.  

In January 2023, Bill Krueger of Conventions, Sports & Leisure International told the Denton County Commissioners Court that the targeted site is fantastic, with 232 acres of contiguous county-owned lands and adjacent to about 100 acres already owned by the North Texas State Fair Association between Denton, Krum, and Sanger.

Denton County commissioners also reviewed a feasibility study on a potential multipurpose exposition center in Denton County that would be focused on increasing economic impact and tourism. The Denton Central Appraisal District was dealing with Covid-19 and handling protests of property values.

The NTEC has proposed a new road between Milam and Ganzer Road West to improve access to the new fairgrounds. Most of the Expo Center’s buildings will be interconnected with more climate control in its increased size. 

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2024’s NTFR Live Music Lineup

Miller Lite Main Stage

The Miller Lite stage comes alive immediately after the rodeo on August 16. 

• August 16: Clay Walker
• August 17: Josh Turner
• August 18: Michael Salgado
• August 19: Jake Hooker & The Outsiders
• August 20: Ryder Grimes
• August 21: Kody West
• August 22: Kolby Cooper
• August 23: Ashley Mcbryde
• August 24: Neal Mccoy
• August 25: Los Herederos De Nuevo Leon

Cool Zone Revolver Stage Concerts

• August 16:
  • 6:00 p.m.: Isaac Hoskins, Jason Lovell, Big Joe Walker
  • 11:00 P.M.: Josh Ward
• August 17:
  • 6:00 P.M.: Joe King
  • 11:00 P.M.: Joe King
• August 18, 2024
  • 6:00 P.M.: South Tx Homies
• August 19, 2024
  • 6:00 P.M.: Sonny Burgess, Jolie Holliday, Brian Houser
• August 20, 2024
  • 6:00 P.M.: Billie Jo Jones, Austin Akins, Mark Lafon, Ariana Ortiz
• August 21, 2024
  • 6:00 P.M.: Jessee Lee Band
  • 11:00 P.M.: Cameron Hobbs
• August 22, 2024
  • 6:00 P.M.: Hayden Hilliard
  • 11:00 P.M.: Jarrod Morris
• August 23, 2024
  • 6:00 P.M.: Michael Kelton, Scott Sean White, Dave Thomas
  • 1:00 P.M.: Tyler Halverson
• August 24, 2024
• 6:00 P.M.: Tanner Sparks, Jared Thomas, Jeff Martin
• 11:00 P.M.: Micky & The Motorcars
• August 25, 2024
  • 6:00 P.M.:Joe B Project Iv

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Tickets & Admission

Gate admission Includes The Fair, concerts, livestock shows, and rodeo events. Attendees can avoid lines by printing tickets at home and bringing them to the gate. Each daily ticket is only valid for the date purchased. Avoid online fraudulent ticket purchasing by only buying tickets through the North Texas Fair & Rodeo website or Magic Money.

Pricing

All prices and artists are subject to changes. 

• Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: $20
• Thursday, Special Pricing due to Main Stage Artist Popularity: $30
• Friday, Saturday and Sunday: $25
• 4-Day Pass: $80
• Season Pass: $175
• Children 7-12: $5
• Children 6 and Under: Free
• Seniors (62+), Military, First Responders, and Teachers: $5 Discount with Valid ID

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Rodeo Events

PRCA Rodeo

August 16 to 18, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. nightly in the Coors Rodeo Arena.

Invitational Ranch Rodeo

August 19, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. in the Coors Rodeo Arena.

21 & Under Rodeo

August 20 to 21, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. nightly in the Coors Rodeo Arena. 

Mutton Bustin’

August 20 to 21, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. nightly in the First State Bank Livestock Pavilion in the Coors Rodeo Arena.

Bull Blowout

August 22 to 24, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. nightly in the Coors Rodeo Arena.

Livestock Shows

Open Beef Cattle

August 16, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in the First State Bank Livestock Pavilion.

Junior Heifers

August 17, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. in the First State Bank Livestock Pavilion.

Junior Steers

August 18, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the First State Bank Livestock Pavilion.

No Limits

August 19, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in the First State Bank Livestock Pavilion.

Junior Goats

August 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the First State Bank Livestock Pavilion.

Open Boer Goats

August 22, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. in the First State Bank Livestock Pavilion.

Commercial Junior Goats

August 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the First State Bank Livestock Pavilion.

Junior Lambs

August 23, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the First State Bank Livestock Pavilion.

Commercial Junior Lambs

August 23, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the First State Bank Livestock Pavilion.

Open Breeding Sheep

August 23, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. in the First State Bank Livestock Pavilion.

Junior Pigs (Market)

August 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. in the First State Bank Livestock Pavilion.

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Contests

Please visit the North Texas Fair & Rodeo website for the entire registration instructions and rules for these contests are on the. The following information is not complete. The NTFR policies for the contests are detailed. For other ways to obtain complete NTFR information, write to info@ntfair.com or call (940) 387-2632.

Photography Contest

Monday, August 12, 2024 and Tuesday, August 13, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Entries will be accepted at Fair Hall on:

No Late Entries Will Be Accepted. There will be a $3.00 fee per entry with cash or check only.

Youth Art Contest (Check NTFR website for complete instructions)

The deadline for entries this year is Thursday, August 1, 2024, by 11:59 p.m. This is a completely free contest.

Beauty Pageant (Check NTFR website for complete instructions)

Entry Fee: $40.00 Entitles the contestant and two (2) adult’s entrance at the gate.

No Refunds Once Online Entries Are Submitted.

Baking Contest (Check NTFR website for complete instructions)

Adult Entry Fees: $4.00 pre-registration, $5.00 day of contest

Youth Entry Fees: $2.00 pre-registration, $3.00 day of contest

Amateurs Only. No mixes or sauces allowed. No preparation will be allowed at the time of entry. Each contestant may enter one entry per class.

Recipes must be typed on an 8.5 x 11″ sheet of white paper and must accompany each entry. Please include ingredients and directions. Contestant’s name, address and phone number must be printed on the back side of recipe. 

All Recipes Become Property Of The North Texas Fair & Rodeo.

Rodeo Queen Contest (Check NTFR website for complete instructions)

The ‘Contest Rules, Qualifications and Guidelines’ and ‘Rodeo Royalty Obligations/Contract’ must be read in full before entering this contest. Interested parties must be able to meet and adhere to these rules and requirements. Not doing so may deny one the right to compete for a North Texas Fair & Rodeo Royalty title.

Entry Fee: $100. Entry Deadline: July 12, 2024. Entries must include the following items and be sent to: Gayla Bolin, 6728 Mustang Trail, Sanger, TX 76266. Entries that do not include all the required items will not be considered complete. Entries not received by the stated deadline date or that are not complete will be dismissed. Entry fee will be non-refundable once the contest has started if the contestant decides not to compete.

Horse Show (Check NTFR website for complete instructions)

August 30 to September 1, 2024, at the Cooke County Cowboy Church in Gainesville, Texas

Scheduled to run currently with the Dal-Worth Appaloosa Horse Club Fun Fest.

Show details and online entry link will be available soon.

Creative Arts Contest (Check NTFR website for complete instructions)

Contestants are grouped into divisions by age, and all entered items are judged against those within their own division. Standard age divisions and their entry fees are as follows. (Please note: Age divisions and their entry fees may vary within divisions. Please check rules for specifics of each department.) All entry fees are per item.

Junior and Intermediate Entries, 17 & Under: $3.00 per item online, $4.00 per item at in-person registration

Adult Entries: $4.00 per item online, $5.00 per item at in-person registration

Online Entry Deadline: August 11, 2024 at 12:00 a.m. | In-Person Entries: August 14, 2024 from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m. ONLY

All items must be picked up on August 26, 2024 between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. Any item left after 7:00 p.m. will not be the responsibility of NTFR.

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Brief History of the North Texas Fair and Rodeo Tradition

The DCFBSA established the NTFR in 1885. After 139 years, this annual tradition is going super strong in 2024, with 20,000 attendees each year and a commitment to supporting youth, agriculture, and community. In the first years, the DCFBSA hosted the fair and rodeo near Denton’s Avenue A and Welch Street.

Horse racing was the main attraction at the NTFR, and the DCFBSA built a 40-acre racetrack on the site. The event moved to Sanger and back to Denton. The NTFR began with the Denton County Fair, where men showed off prized livestock. Women entered canned preserves, baked goods, and flowers in a competition.

The Denton County Agricultural Fair Association (DCAFA) assumed operations of the NTFR in 1928. The DCAFA expanded the annual events to include beauty pageants, carnivals, an opening parade, raffles, and rodeo competitions. 

Then, the DCAFA hosted the fair on 13 acres of land at Exposition Street, bordered by East Hickory Street and East Oak Street. In 1928, the Denton County Agricultural Fair Association took over leadership of the fair, and expanded it to include an opening parade, carnivals, raffles, beauty pageants, and rodeo competitions. 

The fair began to host acts like the Gainesville Community Circus* and bands from the North Texas State Teachers College (now the University of North Texas).At that time, the fair was held on 13 acres of land at Exposition Street, bordered by East Hickory Street and East Oak Street. 

In 1949, W.C. Kimbrough donated the original 22 acres of the total 33 acres at 2217 N Carroll Blvd in Denton. Today, The North Texas Fairgrounds sits on a total of 33 acres with 11 acres dedicated to parking.

Denton County Rodeo Association

The Denton County Rodeo Association worked with the Denton County Agricultural Fair Association and expanded the fair grounds to include barns, concession stands, and rodeo arenas, to the new fairgrounds. Other organizations, like the Lions Club of Denton, helped to build the recent developments.

In the 1960’s rodeo chairman Weldon Burgoon established the “21 and Under” rodeo, which gave minors and young people the opportunity to compete in events featuring goat tying, saddle bronc riding, and team roping. The NTFR continued to sponsor more rodeo events, like barrel racing, calf roping, and steer wrestling.

In the 1980’s the fair established the Ranch Rodeo. Local ranchers competed against each other in team branding and team sorting, and highlighted everyday skills required for life on a cattle ranch. The North Texas State Fair Association (NTSFA) took over NTFR operations. Leaders James Roden and Ken Burdick introduced the Children’s Barnyard and junior livestock shows affiliated with FFA and 4H programs.

North Texas Fair and Rodeo organizers and associations have consistently recognized the need to instill skills and appreciation for the event into the next generation and focus on activities for kids. Mutton Bustin’ is a beloved event by children aged four to seven years. In this event, the kids try to stay on a sheep while riding it around the rodeo arena. 

In the most recent years of the NTSFA has been led by Glenn Carlton, Nanci Kimmey, and a board of directors. They have helped the fair become one of the biggest and most well-known fair and rodeo events across Texas. The NTSFA continues to preserve and promote the agricultural industry and “It’s What Cowboys Do”.

*Gainesville was known as a circus town. The Gainesville Community Circus began as a means to help pay off debt acquired by the Little Theater. By 1929 “talking” movies were the rage and crowds attended in mass. 

A. Morton Smith, editor of the Gainesville Daily Register and a member of the Little Theater group, convinced the other members to stage a circus. The goal was to raise enough money to pay off the debt. The Gainesville Community Circus officially closed in 1958.