06/02/2026
The Fort Bend County Fair Association is proud to announce the O’Canas family as the 2026 Fort Bend County Fair Honorees, recognizing a family whose dedication, service and love for the Fair exemplify the values that have defined the organization for 90 years.
Honored during the Fair Association’s historic 90th anniversary celebration will be Edith O’Canas, Alex O’Canas and Alison Manzano, in tribute to the late Ruben O’Canas, a beloved Fair leader, volunteer and friend whose legacy continues to inspire the Fort Bend County Fair community.
Husband to Edith, father to Alex and Alison, and friend to the Fair, Ruben O’Canas embodied the values that have defined the Fort Bend County Fair Association for generations. For decades, he quietly worked behind the scenes to support the Fort Bend County Fair Association, serving on the BBQ Cook-Off Committee, Go Tejano Committee and numerous other committees. He served seven years on the Board of Directors and was a member of the Executive Board, holding the position of Vice President. Ruben was in line to serve as the Fair’s 2026 president when he passed away unexpectedly.
While Ruben's contributions to the Fair were significant, it was the way he shared his passion with his family that created a lasting legacy.
The O’Canas family has long been a familiar sight on the fairgrounds. Whether attending concerts, enjoying the Go Tejano Dance, riding through the grounds on a golf cart or gathering for a quick family photo, Ruben, Edith, Alex and Alison were often together, a foursome - creating memories that reflected the true spirit of the Fair.
For Edith, the 2026 Fair will be filled with both pride and emotion. A longtime Fair supporter herself, she spent countless Fair days by Ruben’s side — dancing, socializing, supporting auctions and enjoying the traditions that became part of their family story. As the Fair honors her family, she will be surrounded by the Fair family that stood beside them through both celebrations and loss.
For Alex, the Fair remains a way to honor his father’s legacy. Following in Ruben’s footsteps, he continues to serve on the Go Tejano and Sponsorship Committees, continuing the volunteer spirit and commitment that his father instilled in him from an early age.
For Alison, now married and a mother, the Fair represents both cherished memories and a promising future. As she and her husband raise their son, Santiago, she looks forward to introducing the next generation of the O’Canas family to the traditions, friendships and experiences that meant so much to her father.
“The O’Canas family represents everything the Fort Bend County Fair stands for,” said Brian Graeber, 2026 Acting President. “Ruben’s legacy is certainly one of leadership and service, but even more importantly, it is a legacy of family. The Fair has always been about bringing generations together, and no family better reflects that spirit than the O’Canas family.”
The selection of the O’Canas family as the 2026 Fair Honorees reflects not only Ruben’s contributions to the organization but also the values that continue to define the Fort Bend County Fair Association — family, volunteerism, agriculture and community.
As the Fair Association celebrates 90 years of honoring the traditions and people of Fort Bend County, the O’Canas family serves as a reminder that the Fair is about more than events and entertainment. It is about creating memories, building relationships and passing traditions from one generation to the next.
The Fort Bend County Fair Association will recognize the O’Canas family throughout the 2026 Fair year and during the Fort Bend County Fair, scheduled for Sept. 25 through Oct. 4, 2026. Ruben O’Canas will also be honored as the 2026 Honorary President (In Memoriam), while former Fair President Brian Graeber will serve as the 2026 Acting President.
For more information about the Fort Bend County Fair Association and its 90th anniversary celebration, visit fortbendcountyfair.com.
