Come One, Come All! This year at the Hancock County Fair and Rodeo will be celebrating their 7th year with tons of new exhibits and animals. The Hancock County Fair and Rodeo is also introducing for the first time in history, exotic animal races! There will be a number of live music performances, food vendors, and a night filled with family fun. Celebrations begin on Wednesday, September 18 at 5pm-9pm- Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 9 a.m. - midnight.
A percentage of profits from the Hancock County Fair and Rodeo always goes back into booking entertainment and towards planning for next year’s fair. A goal for the fair is to always improve on what needs work. Another portion of profits goes into maintaining and upgrading the fair for the community to enjoy year round. The Hancock County Fair and Rodeo is supported by the Hancock County Community Committee a 501.c3 Non-Profit organization.
Want to fulfill your dream of being a jockey? The fair has “be a jockey for a day” and it is open to the public with one qualification, you must weigh 160lbs or lighter. You are able to sign up for this event while purchasing your ticket at the gate and during this event, contestants will be racing against a live ostrich or a live camel, what an experience! If getting on a horse and riding isn’t your thing, we’ve got something for you. Our T-Rex Race is for our goofball people who can dress up as a T-Rex and run around racing each other.
Wednesday
On opening day Wednesday, enjoy free entry to the county fair and on Thursday too! The price for Friday and Saturday is $10. Children under the age of 12 are always free every day. You can enjoy strolling around the fair, get a look at all the fascinating exhibit that we offer, entertainment, rodeos, and races each day and night. There will be plenty of options for food and beverages along with unique and authentic souvenirs from arts & crafts vendors. As far as rides go, there will be individual carnival ride tickets available and a specially priced One Price Armband for each day.
Wednesday is the kickoff weekend celebration, starting with “Christian Night” with live praise and glory Christian music on the mainstage with top performing Christian musicians. This is the first night of the fair and there will be free admission! Vendors of arts and crafts and exhibits will begin to set up at 3 p.m. and all are aiming to be open to the public 5 p.m.- 8 p.m. The One Price Armband on Wednesday will be $16 and carnival rides open at 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. The Hancock County Fair and Rodeo kindly asks that you bring a canned non-perishable food item to support the Hancock County Food Pantry.
Thursday
Get ready for Thirsty Thursday with this amazing drink special! For the low price of $2, enjoy 12oz draft beers. The Hancock County Fair also offers service industry night for our Military Service Member & First Responders. Thursday will also be free admission, don’t forget! At 5 p.m. - 9 p.m., you can find yourself browsing and shopping at our arts & crafts vendors along with family fun at our exhibits. Looking for the best food in the fair game? Look no further. Our local restaurant and food vendors will be serving you from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. There will be a live performance by the talented Kaitlin Jewell Band from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. The price for a One Price Armband will be $25 on Thursday 6:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Join in on the fun and wear red, white and blue for the amazing performance by the local favorite Troy Ladner Band from 8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Friday
Fun-filled Friday will kick off with an early start at 9 a.m. for the exhibit and it will be open until 8 p.m. For the food, beverage, arts & crafts vendors, and all livestock will be open late for the public from 5pm-11pm. Play that funky music! We’ve got a live groovy performance by Joni Compretta and Baytown Groove from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Unfortunately, individual carnival ride tickets are only available until 7 p.m. The One Price Armband will be available for purchase at 7 p.m. - midnight at $25 per person. The High School Rodeo in Arena is a showcase of young talent and will be performing at 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Friday will conclude the night with live a performance from Marc Broussard on the main stage from 10 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Saturday
Save the best for last Saturday! The fair will be hosting the T-Rex race, horse races, and last but not least, the exotic animal race. There will be the same exhibits as there was on Friday and they are opening at 9am-8pm. The carnival rides, food, beverage and arts & crafts vendors will open at noon on Saturday. Families can enjoy ½ priced carnival ride tickets from noon-3 p.m.! The One Price Armband is available for purchase at 3pm-11pm for $25. Laugh out loud with the Stick Horse Rodeo in Arena from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. Calling all chicken lovers! The fairs chicken auction is from 2 p.m.- 3 p.m. We’ve got a ton of live performances all night. Gary Young will start off the night with live music from 4:30 p.m.- 6 p.m. Following will be Heath Sanders performing at 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. High School Rodeo in Arena from 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Red Marlow gets the crowd going at 9:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. To wrap up the night, we’ve got Stoney Larue performing from 10:30-midnight.
For more things to do in Mississippi Gulf Coast, register on 228area, we've got you covered!
Cover photo courtesy of Hancock County Fair Facebook
