Here's how to spend more time on rides and fun at the Ft. Bend County Fair

FORT BEND COUNTY, TX (KTRK) -- The Fort Bend County Fair starts on Friday, September 23.

"It's like Christmas in Fort Bend County. It's everything everybody is looking for," said Interim Fair Manager, Cindy Schmidt.

Expect great food, entertainment, a carnival, rodeo, specialty acts and much more.

"This year, getting to the Fort Bend County Fair might take a little longer," explains Schmidt. "Hwy 59 is under construction if you're coming from Houston beginning in Sugar Land at the Grand Pkwy all the way to Hwy 36, which is your primary exit to get here to the fairgrounds."

TxDOT is the in process of expanding the freeway, so traffic approaching the Hwy 36 exit is often jammed. During the fair, when you exit Hwy 36, expect some help with traffic flow.

"We will have the Rosenberg Police Department helping with traffic, running the red lights, changing the red lights and directing traffic as well to ease the pain," said Schmidt.

But Schmidt adds there's another option - take exit 2218 to J. Meyer Road, hang a right and then make a right on Hwy 36.

The gates at the fair open at 10am on weekends, but on weekdays, expect rush hour to be extra busy.

"We're encouraging people to plan ahead, get here early. We don't want you to miss any of the good stuff," said Schmidt.

And some good news: children five years old and under get into the fair for free. TxDOT doesn't plan any closures during the fair.

The fair's 10-day run ends on October 2.