St. Tammany Parish Fair Returns To Covington Sept. 30 Through Oct. 4

Community Tradition Brings Livestock Shows, Carnival Attractions, Rodeo Events And Family Activities To Covington

COVINGTON, La. — The St. Tammany Parish Fair returns to Covington from Wednesday, Sept. 30, through Sunday, Oct. 4, offering five days of agricultural exhibits, livestock competitions, entertainment and family activities for residents from communities across St. Tammany Parish.

The 2026 St. Tammany Parish Fair will be held at the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds in Covington. Visitors arriving on foot can use the entrance at 1304 N. Columbia St., while motorists can access the drive-in entrance from N. Magee Street. The St. Tammany Parish Fair Association traces the event to 1910, giving the fair a history spanning more than a century of agriculture, education and community participation.

This year’s St. Tammany Parish Fair is scheduled to feature livestock competitions, agricultural displays, home exhibits, carnival rides, entertainment and rodeo activities. The varied schedule gives families several ways to experience the fair, whether they are interested in agriculture and youth competitions or prefer carnival attractions and evening entertainment. Visit The Northshore also identifies livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, rodeo activities and midway attractions as key parts of the event.

Kids Day Combines Education, Agriculture And Entertainment

Thursday is designated as Kids Day, with programming scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participating school groups are expected to visit the Mini Farm, Educational Booth Building and Home Economics Building, according to the St. Tammany Parish Fair Association. The daytime program gives students a closer look at agriculture, community exhibits and educational activities connected to the parish fair.

Kids Day is also scheduled to include appearances by JoJo the Magic Clown and the Dark Matter Robotics Team. Carnival rides and vendors will not operate during the Kids Day program, making that distinction useful for parents deciding whether to attend during the educational hours or return when the broader fair attractions are operating.

Families attending Kids Day should review the current schedule before arriving because individual demonstrations and activities may have designated times. Checking the schedule in advance can also help parents determine which buildings and programs are most appropriate for their children’s interests.

Rodeo Events Remain Part Of The St. Tammany Parish Fair

Rodeo activities continue to play a prominent role in the St. Tammany Parish Fair schedule. The 2026 Rodeo Queen Contest was scheduled for Sept. 27, ahead of the primary fair dates, while the new Rodeo Queen is scheduled to be crowned Friday, Oct. 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the rodeo arena.

The rodeo program connects the entertainment portion of the St. Tammany Parish Fair with the event’s agricultural heritage. Livestock programs, competitions and related activities give participants an opportunity to demonstrate skills developed through agricultural programs while allowing visitors to see a part of parish life that can be less visible in St. Tammany’s suburban areas.

Visitors interested specifically in rodeo activities should confirm individual event times before traveling to Covington. The fair operates across several days, and the schedule for competitions, ceremonies and other arena activities can differ depending on the date.

St. Tammany Parish Schools Close For Parish Fair Day

St. Tammany Parish Public Schools lists Friday, Oct. 2, as “Parish Fair” on the district calendar, with schools closed for the day. The closure affects families throughout the public school system and makes Friday a notable date for residents in Covington, Slidell, Mandeville, Madisonville, Pearl River, Lacombe and other St. Tammany Parish communities.

Parents planning activities during the school closure can compare the Friday fair schedule with their family’s available time. Livestock events, exhibits, rodeo programming and carnival attractions may operate on different schedules, so checking the day’s lineup can help families avoid arriving before a particular attraction opens or after an event has concluded.

The school closure also reflects the longstanding connection between the St. Tammany Parish Fair and local education. Youth participation, school visits and agricultural learning have remained significant parts of the fair as the parish has grown from a largely rural community into a mix of suburban, rural and waterfront communities.

Admission And Fairground Information

Admission information published by the St. Tammany Parish Fair Association lists general admission at $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3 through 12. Children age 3 and younger are admitted free, according to the association’s visitor information. Families attending with several children may want to calculate admission costs before arriving and separately check prices for carnival rides or other attractions that may require additional purchases.

The St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds are located in Covington, with pedestrian access listed at 1304 N. Columbia St. and vehicle access available from N. Magee Street. Visitors traveling from other parts of St. Tammany Parish should allow enough time for the drive, parking and walking to their intended events, particularly when attending activities with fixed starting times.

Daily operating hours and individual event schedules can differ throughout the fair. Visitors should consult the St. Tammany Parish Fair Association’s latest information before leaving home to confirm carnival hours, livestock competitions, rodeo programs, entertainment schedules and other activities planned for their chosen day.

St. Tammany Parish Fair Has More Than A Century Of History

The St. Tammany Parish Fair Association says the organization was established in 1910. Historical information published by the association indicates the event began as a pet show and was known by 1911 as the St. Tammany Stock, Poultry & Pet Animal Exhibition, illustrating the fair’s early emphasis on animals and agriculture.

The St. Tammany Parish Fair expanded as the parish developed over subsequent decades. Livestock competitions, school programs, pageants, exhibits, entertainment, parade activities, rodeo events and carnival rides became part of the larger celebration while agriculture and community involvement remained important elements of the event.

The fair now offers residents a direct connection to St. Tammany Parish’s agricultural past while serving a population that increasingly lives in suburban communities. Livestock exhibitions and educational displays can help younger visitors understand how farming, animal care and agricultural programs continue to contribute to the identity of the Northshore.

Why This Matters In Slidell

Although the fairgrounds are in Covington, the St. Tammany Parish Fair is a parishwide event and provides Slidell-area families with another major Northshore fall activity. The closure of St. Tammany Parish public schools on Friday, Oct. 2, also makes the fair weekend directly relevant to families across the Slidell area.

Slidell residents planning to attend should check the latest daily schedule, admission information and any event updates from the Fair Association before leaving for Covington.