Annual Parish Event Features Livestock Shows, Carnival Attractions, Rodeo Events And Family Activities In Covington
COVINGTON, La. — The St. Tammany Parish Fair returns to Covington from Wednesday, Sept. 30, through Sunday, Oct. 4, bringing five days of agricultural exhibits, livestock competitions, entertainment and family activities to residents across St. Tammany Parish. The annual event combines traditional fair attractions with programs highlighting agriculture, education and youth participation.
The 2026 St. Tammany Parish Fair will take place at the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds in Covington. Pedestrians can enter at 1304 N. Columbia St., while drivers can use the entrance along N. Magee Street. The St. Tammany Parish Fair Association traces the event’s origins to 1910, giving the celebration more than a century of history within the parish and making agriculture a continuing part of its identity.
This year’s St. Tammany Parish Fair is scheduled to include livestock competitions, agricultural displays, home exhibits, carnival rides, entertainment and rodeo activities. Families can choose among educational programs, animal exhibits and recreational attractions depending on the day they attend. Visit The Northshore also highlights livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, rodeo activities and midway attractions as central features of the fair.
Kids Day Offers Agricultural And Educational Activities
Thursday is designated as Kids Day, with activities 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 information from the St. Tammany Parish Fair Association. Students can use those stops to learn more about agriculture, animals, exhibits and community programs connected with the fair.
Kids Day is scheduled to feature JoJo the Magic Clown and the Dark Matter Robotics Team as part of the daytime programming. Carnival rides and vendors will not operate during the Kids Day period, an important distinction for parents who may otherwise expect the full midway experience during those hours. Families primarily interested in carnival rides should review the separate carnival schedule before choosing an arrival time.
Families attending the Thursday program can improve their visit by checking the day’s schedule before reaching the fairgrounds. Individual demonstrations, educational activities and performances may take place at designated times, so advance planning can help visitors decide which exhibits to see first and how much time to allow for each area.
Rodeo Events Add To The St. Tammany Parish Fair Schedule
Rodeo activities remain a significant component of the St. Tammany Parish Fair. The 2026 Rodeo Queen Contest was scheduled for Sept. 27 before the main fair dates, while the new Rodeo Queen is scheduled to be crowned Friday, Oct. 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the rodeo arena. Visitors interested in the ceremony should plan around that scheduled start time.
The rodeo program reinforces the St. Tammany Parish Fair’s connection to agriculture and livestock traditions. Animal programs and related competitions allow participants to demonstrate skills and knowledge while giving spectators a closer view of activities associated with the parish’s agricultural heritage.
Rodeo visitors should check the official schedule for the particular day they plan to attend because arena activities can have individual starting times. Families traveling from Slidell, Mandeville, Pearl River, Lacombe or other areas of St. Tammany Parish may also want to allow additional time for the drive to Covington, parking and entry before a scheduled event begins.
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 that day. The parishwide closure makes Friday particularly relevant for families throughout the public school system and provides students with an opportunity to attend fair activities without conflicting with a regular school day.
Parents considering a Friday visit can compare the St. Tammany Parish Fair schedule with their family’s plans before leaving home. Livestock competitions, exhibits, rodeo programming and carnival attractions may follow different operating times, making the daily schedule useful for families trying to see several attractions during one visit.
The school calendar connection reflects the enduring relationship between the St. Tammany Parish Fair and local education. School visits, youth programs, agricultural exhibits and student participation have helped preserve an educational component as St. Tammany Parish has grown and its communities have become increasingly diverse in character.
Admission Information And Fairground Access
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. Visitors should remember that general admission may not cover every attraction or carnival ride, so families should review current pricing information when estimating the total cost of a fair visit.
The St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds provide separate access points for pedestrians and motorists. The walk-up entrance is listed at 1304 N. Columbia St., while the drive-in entrance is located along N. Magee Street. Knowing which entrance to use can make arrival simpler, particularly for visitors unfamiliar with the Covington fairgrounds.
Daily schedules can change depending on the type of activity being held. Livestock competitions, rodeo events, carnival operations, entertainment and educational programs may each have separate hours, so visitors should check the latest St. Tammany Parish Fair Association schedule before beginning their trip.
St. Tammany Parish Fair Dates Back More Than A Century
The St. Tammany Parish Fair Association says the organization was established in 1910. Historical information provided by the association indicates the event started as a pet show and was known by 1911 as the St. Tammany Stock, Poultry & Pet Animal Exhibition. Those beginnings demonstrate how animals and agriculture were embedded in the fair from its earliest years.
The St. Tammany Parish Fair developed over subsequent decades to include a wider range of activities. Livestock competitions, school programs, pageants, exhibits, entertainment, parade activities, rodeo events and carnival rides became part of the event while agricultural education and community participation continued to provide a foundation for the fair.
The modern fair gives residents an accessible way to explore part of St. Tammany Parish’s agricultural history. Many parish residents now live in suburban or residential communities where farming and livestock are less visible in everyday life, making the fair’s exhibits and competitions an opportunity to learn about agricultural practices and youth programs firsthand.
What Families Should Know Before Visiting
Families can make their St. Tammany Parish Fair visit more manageable by deciding which activities matter most before arriving. Visitors interested in livestock shows or educational exhibits may prefer different hours from families primarily interested in carnival rides, entertainment or rodeo events. Reviewing the daily schedule can prevent visitors from missing an activity with a limited operating window.
Visitors traveling from eastern St. Tammany Parish should account for driving time to Covington as part of their plans. Slidell, Pearl River and Lacombe residents may face a longer trip than residents already near Covington, while families throughout the parish should consider parking and walking time when attending an event with a fixed start.
Parents bringing younger children may also want to review admission rules, carnival operating times and the locations of educational exhibits before arrival. Planning those details beforehand can help families spend more of their visit enjoying the fair instead of determining their schedule after entering the grounds.
Why The St. Tammany Parish Fair Matters Locally
The St. Tammany Parish Fair serves as a parishwide gathering for residents from Covington, Slidell, Mandeville, Abita Springs, Madisonville, Pearl River, Lacombe and surrounding communities. The event gives residents from different parts of St. Tammany Parish a shared destination centered on agriculture, youth involvement, entertainment and longstanding community traditions.
The combination of livestock competitions, educational exhibits, rodeo activities and carnival attractions gives the St. Tammany Parish Fair several purposes beyond recreation. Young participants can display their work, students can encounter agricultural education, and families can experience traditions that connect today’s St. Tammany Parish with earlier generations.
Residents planning to attend should consult the St. Tammany Parish Fair Association’s current information shortly before traveling to Covington. Confirming admission prices, carnival hours, livestock schedules, rodeo times and other daily activities can help visitors build a practical itinerary and avoid missing the events they most want to see.
Sources
- St. Tammany Parish Fair Association — Official St. Tammany Parish Fair information, announcements and visitor details.
- St. Tammany Parish Fair Schedule And Map — Daily fair schedule, activities and fairground information.
- St. Tammany Parish Fair History — Historical information about the St. Tammany Parish Fair Association and the development of the fair.
- St. Tammany Parish Fair Contact And FAQs — Admission, location and visitor information from the Fair Association.
- Visit The Northshore: St. Tammany Parish Fair — Event information covering the fair, livestock shows, rodeo activities, agricultural exhibits and other attractions.
- St. Tammany Parish Public Schools Calendar — Official district calendar with information about the Parish Fair school closure.
Angela Knight is a seasoned journalist with a deep-rooted passion for covering the vibrant local business scene in Slidell, LA. Her expertise lies in spotlighting the unique stories of local entrepreneurs and keeping her finger on the pulse of the latest business news and trends within the community. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to impactful storytelling, Angela’s articles serve as a vital resource for residents and business owners alike, offering insights, updates, and inspiration. Her work not only informs but also celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit and community engagement that define Slidell’s business landscape.