By Kelly Tyus
1986: The Freestone County Fair Association filed and received a “Certificate of Incorporation” from the State of Texas on March 19, 1986. The first incorporated By-Laws were signed on August 13, 1986 by President Marshall McSwane; VP Andy Bonner and Sec/Tres Gene Chavers. The other 1986 Directors were Glen Wren, Diane Daniel, C. B. Freeman, Don Beene, Mary Alice Bonner and Lynn Kimball.
The 1986 Miss FC Queen was Jina Robinson of Fairfield. Margaret Ivy Tolar and sister, Emma Jean Ivy Vande Streek held a reunion where twenty-five of the past thirty-one previous queens attended. (Ref: The Teague Chronicle, dated 08.28.1986, page 11.)
1987: The 1987 Miss FC Queen was Angela Carruth of Teague.
Two new amendments were approved to the FCFA By-Laws on February19, 1987.
New members were Don Watkins, A. D. Black, Pamela K. Beene, Ken S. Williams, Barry and Paula Snider, Jan Patterson and Mark Chavers. (FCFA Minutes dated 09.17.1987)
1988: The 1988 Miss FC Queen was Anna Lucher of Teague who later rescinded to first runner up Jeanette Inman of Teague.
From the 02.18.1988 Minutes: The FCFA directors approved the fair to start on Saturday instead of Monday with the parade at 10 a.m.; a Little Miss Freestone County Pageant at 1 p.m. and the Miss Freestone County Pageant at 7 p.m.
1989: The 1989 Miss FC Queen was Laurinda McMichael of Teague.
08.17.1989: A sign was unveiled naming the livestock show arena after Isiah “Ike” Carden, a former Freestone County agent who was involved in helping Freestone County youths for many years. Mr. Carden was also presented a plaque in appreciation of his service to county youths.
1990: Officers were President Jimmy Oliver; VP Mary Alice Bonner; Sec/Tres Gene Chavers. Directors were Glen Wren, Truman Lamb, Paula Snider, Herb Casey, C. B. Freeman and J. R. Thomas. Advisors were Don Beene and Billy Gillum.
The parade theme was “Life in the 1880’s”. The parade marshal was Isaiah “Ike” Carden – longtime livestock sale chairman and farm demonstration agent with the Freestone County Extension office. (Ref: The Teague Chronicle, dated 09.09.1990)
The 1990 Miss FC Queen was Toni Roach of Teague.
The “Livestock Sale Nets $89,669 for County Youths” was the front-page headline in the Teague Chronicle dated 08.23.1990. The Grand Champion Steer was exhibited by Richland Creek 4-H Club member Sherry Jackson. Clint Fryer of Fairfield 4H exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion.
In 1990, the LAST rodeo in the old arena at the Moody Reunion fairgrounds in Fairfield was held and the rodeo producer was Bradford Ivy of Fairfield. The new and current rodeo arena was built in 1991.
1991: The parade theme was “Freestone County – Now and Then”. The parade marshals were the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The Miss FC Queen was Nikki Kitchens of Fairfield.
The 1991 rodeo producer was Ray Lancaster Rodeo Company of Fairfield. David Barnes reported the Rodeo Committee would be giving a saddle away again this year. Barnes stated, “If we are in the new arena, there will be box seats available, which it was decided to sell for $6.00 per seat or $36.00 per box.”
The 1991 Livestock Sale topped $100,000. A barbecue meal at Dick Lawrence resident to thank BUYERS and CONTRIBUTORS from the 1991 Freestone County Fair Livestock Sale. (Ref: The Teague Chronicle, dated 10.24.1991.)
1992: The parade theme was “Growing Kids for Tomorrow’s Leaders:”. The Miss FC Queen was Katie Carr of Fairfield.
02.13.1992 Minutes: Don Beene reported on his committee’s work in preparing a proposal to take to the Fairfield City Park’s committee for construction of a slab area and pavilion for entertainment where the old rodeo arena was located.
10.15.1992 Annual Minutes: The 1992 Annual meeting was held in the Fairfield High School Cafeteria with a BBQ dinner being served. Gene Chavers was given a belt buckle for his years of service as FCFA Secretary/Treasurer. He was elected as an Advisory Director.
1993: The parade theme was “Looking Thru the Past to Fine the Future”. The Miss FC Queen was Leslie Carter of Fairfield.
The 1993 FCFA Officers were: President Mary Alice Bonner; VP Zack Newman; Sec/Tres Charles Jones; Deputy Sec/Tres Paula Snider. Directors were Glen Wren, David Barnes, Truman Lamb, Don Beene and Don Schill.
02.18.1993 Minutes: “First Dairy Goat entry was in the 1993 fair per Don Beene.”
10.21.1993: Freestone County Fair Association voted to move the Freestone County Fair date
from August to June. Ref: The Fairfield Recorder, dated 10.21.1993, front page.
1994: The 1994 Freestone County Fair parade was held Monday evening in Fairfield with the theme “Silver Jubilee” in honor of the 75th anniversary of the fair. (Ref: The Mexia Daily News, dated 06.16.1994, page 6.) Commemorative belt buckles were sold.
The Miss FC Queen was Alisha Finch of Fairfield. Rodeo Producer was Lynn Bottoms Champion Rodeo Co.
1995: The parade theme was “Growing Through Change”. Miss FC Queen was Markeshia Harrison of Butler.
FCFA Officers were President Kenny Bulger; VP Zack Newman; and Sec/Tres Charles Jones. Directors were David Barnes, Don Beene, Sid Fryer, Alan Gibson, Truman Lamb and James Tugwell. Advisors were Pam Beene, Herb Casey and Gene Chavers.
1996: The parade theme was “Youth Today, Leaders Tomorrow”. Miss FC Queen was Lisa Neptune of Fairfield.
1997: The parade theme was “Old Fashioned Family Fun”. Miss FC Queen was Casey Cowan of Fairfield. Miss Teen FC Queen was Amanda Jones of Fairfield.
The profits from the ad sales in the Fair Book went to scholarships for three graduating seniors in Freestone County. One scholarship went to each of the three schools in Freestone County. Winners were from Fairfield H.S. – Kelly Gregory; Teague H.S. – Roger Grube; and Wortham H.S. – James Gilliam.
1998: The parade theme was “Proud Traditions – The Good Ole Days”. Miss FC Queen was Tiea Fuley of Teague; Miss Teen FC Queen was Jennifer Adkins of Fairfield.
IN MEMORY OF DON WATKINS, 1940 – 1998: Don Watkins joined the Freestone County Fair Association in 1987. He was the Superintendent for the “Dairy Cattle”; “Breeding Beef Cattle” and “Market Cattle” from 1988 until 1997. Mr. Watkins donated the materials for the Cattle Barn. Ref: 1993 Fair Book. The Livestock buyers spent $120,886 at the 1998 Livestock Sale.
1999: The parade theme was “Diamond Jubilee”. “Instead of Saturday-to-Saturday run of the past few years, the fair will begin on Monday with the parade and conclude Saturday with livestock sale.” (Ref: The Fairfield Recorder, dated 06.10.1999, page one.)
The 1999 fair was dedicated in memory of Joe Richards and in honor of John Pritchard. Miss FC Queen was Wendy Moore of Fairfield. Miss Teen FC Queen was Laurie Gaitan of Fairfield.
2000: The parade theme was “Harvesting New Fields in 2000”. Miss FC Queen was Melissa Merriman of Fairfield. Miss Teen FC Queen was Emily Williams of Fairfield.
The FCFA Officers were President Bill Beene; VP Steve Black and Sec/Tres Charles Jones. Directors were Kenny Bulger, Sid Fryer, Scott Holmes, Nicky Nesbitt, Zack Newman and Wayne Wheeler.
Glen Wren and Suel Hill were “Recognized as two men who played a big part in establishing the Freestone County Fair & Rodeo”. Ref: The 2000 Fair Book
“The Freestone County Fair Association would like to dedicate this year’s Freestone County Youth Rodeo to the memory of Yates Manahan.” The youth rodeo was renamed the YATES MANAHAN YOUTH RODEO. Ref: The 2000 Fair Book.
The “100 years of Traditions and Heritage 1922-2022” history book will be printed after the June 13-18 2022 fair and rodeo to include the 100-year celebration photos and articles. To PRE-ORDER your book, mail $75.00 plus $7.95 postage to Freestone County Fair Association, % Sec. Nadine Phillips, PO Box 592, Fairfield, TX 75840.
“This is a county fair and when people from all over the county participate it naturally tends
to make the fair more of a county-wide fair and creates much more interest.”
(Ref: The Fairfield Recorder, dated 09.16.1965, page 1.)
“It’s Your Fair – Will You Be There?”
