Montgomery County Fair Association President Andrew Cantu, left, and BBQ Cook Off Officer in Charge Jack Grimm examine the booth location map during the sponsors drawing for booth locations at the Montgomery County Fair BBQ Cook Off at the Fair Association office, 8201 FM 1484 in Conroe. The 53rd Annual Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo runs April 9-18, with the BBQ Cook Off April 16-18. There will be more than 125 teams competing during the event. Photo by David Hopper.BY KIM MORGAN
Chronicle correspondent

Horses, cows, chickens – and rats?

Yep, and a skunk too.

There's some new stuff coming to the Montgomery County Fair this year.

Slated for April 9-18, the fair features a carnival, petting zoo, laying hen exhibit, rabbit exhibit, cowboys and cowgirls getting their ride on, cow-teens barrel racing, cow-kids mutton bustin' and cow-toddlers steering their stick horses.

There will be tigers and 'gators too, but not for rodeo-ing purposes. The Orlando-based Amazing Animal Adventure will be back again.

Something new this year is Pets Overboard, a cast of dogs, cats, rats and a skunk on a journey aboard a pirate ship looking for lost treasure.

According to show Web site www.pmpent.net, the critters are from animal shelters and rescue organizations.

Andrew Cantu, Montgomery County Fair Association President, said it can be a challenge to maintain the traditions of a fair now 53 years old, while keeping it fresh to bring in newcomers.

But the price, he said, is right.

"The fair is a very economical means of entertainment," Cantu said. "You get a lot of bang for your buck."

It's also for a good cause, although it's been a little harder this year as nonprofits seek a piece of the recession-shrinking money pie to fund their programs and activities.

For the fair, it's the scholarship fund.

"Fortunately we have a lot of creative people around here," Cantu said.

Case-in-point, the association hosted its first wine-tasting event last October, raising an additional $10,000 for its scholarship fund.

BBQ Cook Off Officer in Charge Jack Grimm talks and Fair Association Office Manager Beth Traylor set up for the sponsors drawing for booth locations at the Montgomery County Fair BBQ Cook Off at the Fair Association office, 8201 FM 1484 in Conroe. The 53rd Annual Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo runs April 9-18, with the BBQ Cook Off April 16-18. There will be more than 125 teams competing during the event. Photo by David Hopper.Fair Office Manager Beth Traylor said the scholarship fund money historically – and still does - come from the Trail Ride and from a portion of livestock and non-livestock auctions.

This year's Trail Ride is March 27-28.

The application deadline for students interested in applying for a scholarship was March 1.

Traylor anticipates awarding 40 scholarships this year, totaling $100,000.

Seniors from all six public school districts within the county are eligible to apply, as are private school and home-schooled students.

On April 10, Kelsey Forrest of The Woodlands will crown the 2010 Fair Queen.

"I'm not ready to let it go, but it's also someone else's turn to have it," said Forrest, a 17-year-old senior at Oak Ridge High School. "It's a huge honor to be fair queen. The Montgomery County Fair is one of the biggest fairs in Texas."

In addition to yellow roses, sash, ribbon and a cowboy hat tiara, the fair queen is awarded a $3,000 scholarship.

"Being fair queen has helped shape me, helped me to be more confident in myself," said Forrest, who is waiting on word from Texas A&M University where she hopes to study agricultural business this fall. "My advice to the girls running is to keep their heads up no matter what. They will get so much out of it and meet so many different people. It will also give them a different perspective of the fair."

More than 20 girls are vying for the title.

"It's all based on personal character," Forrest said. "It's not a beauty pageant."

Another always-anticipated event is the annual barbecue cook-off, slated for April 16 and 17. More than 120 teams will compete.

For more information, visit www.mcfa.org