By Mitchell Pate
In just four months, the 100th Annual Freestone County Fair & Rodeo will be taking place during the week of June 13-18, 2022, at the W. L. Moody Reunion Fairgrounds in Fairfield. This year’s theme will be “100-years of Traditions and Heritage.”
“We are extremely excited to be hosting the centennial anniversary of the Freestone County Fair and Rodeo this year,” FCFA President Clint Minchew said. “This fair and rodeo is a big tradition for Freestone County and the Freestone County Fair Association wants this year to be one for the record book.”
To commentate this centennial anniversary, the FCFA Directors have approved a 100-year commentative belt buckle design. The first belt buckle order has been placed and the next order is being compiled. Call FCFA Director Jody Bodine, 903-388-8010, to order your commentative belt buckle in time for the fair and rodeo.
The FCFA Directors have also approved a history book be written to document the association’s history from its organization in 1920 with the first fair being held in 1922. The “100-years of Traditions and Heritage” history will include the 2022 fair and rodeo events.
FCFA History Chairperson Kelly Tyus stated, “The history book is already 500+ pages including research from the FCFA minutes, county newspaper articles and individual pictures that have been submitted. Contact Ms. Tyus, 903-388-1813, or email kelly.tyus@gmail.com with any articles and/or fair pictures that you would like to include in the FCFA history book.
The Freestone County Fair parade will be held at 7p.m. on Monday, June 13, to kick-off the 100-year celebration for the week. The goal is 100 parade entries for 100 years. Contact Parade Chairperson Vanessa Smith, at KNES, with your parade entry and for additional information.
Throughout the week, the Home and Garden Show as well as the Ag Mechanics exhibitors will be showing their projects.
On Tuesday, June 14, Coronation Chairperson Emily Goodson will be coordinating the Miss Freestone County Pageant at the Fairfield High School Auditorium at 7 p.m. The scholarship-based pageant is for those girls between the ages of 13 and 18. Categories for the Miss Freestone County Queen and Miss Teen include casual, red-carpet attire, private interviews and on-stage questions.
The Little Miss and Little Tot Miss pageant will be held on Saturday morning, June 11, at 10 a.m. in the Fairfield High School Auditorium for youngsters in between the ages 6-weeks and 12 years old. Winners will receive a crown and sash.
Registration for the pageant opened February 1 and will continue through Friday, March 11. Registration packets can be picked up at Rollo Insurance in Fairfield. A Facebook page “Miss Freestone County Pageant” has also been created and details will be updated over the next several months.
“We want to make this year’s pageant one of the best yet,” Goodson said. “Our goal is to have 100 girls competing since it is the 100th annual anniversary of the Freestone County Fair and Rodeo.”
Mitchell Amusement of Slidell, La will provide the carnival again this year each night of the week. Entertainment will also be held each night under the pavilion. The entertainment will be a surprise and it’s free.
The Yates Manahan Youth Rodeo will be held on Wednesday night, June 15 at 7 p.m. in the rodeo arena. The Freestone County UPRA Rodeo will hold performances on Friday and Saturday nights, June 17-18 both starting at 8 p.m. J & J Rodeo Company of Cooper, TX will be providing the rodeo stock again this year.
The Freestone County Livestock Sale auction will take place on Saturday morning, June 18, at the Isiah “Ike” Carden Pavilion. The Freestone County youth will be showing 100+ animals at the sale.
“We want everyone to start making plans to attend and celebrate 100-years of traditions and heritage this year,” Minchew said. “It is going to be a great year for the county and a week full of family fun activities.”
Celebration Chairperson Nadine Ivy Phillips stated, “Everyone is working together towards making the 100-years of Tradition and Heritage, 1922-2022 fair and rodeo a big celebration.” Contact Ms. Phillips, 903-388-5003 or nadinephillips5649@gmail.com with all your information concerning the 100-years of Tradition and Heritage, 1922-2022 celebration.
“Let’s Celebrate – It’s Your Fair – Will You Be There?”
