The Cartwright Ranch from Benbrook, TX has been commissioned to provide the stagecoach, two wagons, and a buggy to carry Freestone County dignitaries in the Freestone County 100-Year Traditions and Heritage Celebration Parade on Monday, June 13, 7 p.m. in downtown Fairfield.

The Cartwright Ranch stagecoach driver will be accompanied by Freestone County Sheriff Jeremy Shipley. One of the Cartwright wagons will carry the Freestone County Commissioners while the other Cartwright wagon will carry the Freestone County Fair Association Directors.

Parade Marshals Don Beene of Mexia, formerly of Fairfield, and Herbert R. Casey, Jr. of Teague will ride down the streets of the parade in a Cartwright buggy.

The Cartwright’s Stagecoach will also be featured during the Freestone County Fair & Rodeo 100-Year Celebration UPRA rodeos. The two performances will be held on Friday and Saturday night, June 17 and 18, starting both nights at 8 p.m. on the W. L. Moody Fair Grounds in Fairfield, Texas.

Both Texas natives, Georgia and Alan Cartwright own the Cartwright Ranch in Benbrook, Texas and where they are both nationally known for their stagecoach “Hitch Driver” skills.

Alan Cartwright, a Benbrook native, has been performing since age 6. A member of the Screen Actors Guild sinch 1975, Alan has worked in many aspects of the entertainment industry. He has performed in over 6,000 live appearances and “Wild West Show” productions at rodeos, amusement parks and fairs, nationwide.

In addition, Alan has worked on numerous films, television shows, commercials, still shots and print ads. Some of his projects include “Bronco Billy”, “Wishbone”, Texas Tourism, print ads for Winston and international Marlboro video ads. Alan also drove the “South Point Casino Stagecoach” in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in 2020.

Georgia, a native Texan, was raised in a “show horse” family with the love and respect for horses. She began training her own horses at age 12 and started riding horses for the public at age 18.

In the last 25 years, Georgia has expanded her driving disciplines to include single, teams and multiple hitch teams. George is one of the few women you will see that is an accomplished 6-up driver. She has driven in hundreds of parades, civic events, commercials, and private functions.

Both Alan and Georgia had the great honor of being chosen to drive a six-horse hitch in the Tournament of Roses “Rose Parade” in Pasadena, CA two years in a row.

In addition to their many accomplishments, Georgia and Alan take the most pride in their love for their Western Heritage. The Cartwrights love introducing young and old to their western way of life and their love of the western culture.

Visit the website www.fcfar.org or Facebook page Freestone County Fair and Rodeo Association for more information and schedule of events including the parade, nightly entertainment, queen coronation, home and garden show, livestock show and sale, youth rodeo and the UPRA rodeos celebrating the 100-Year Traditions and Heritage of the Freestone County Fair and Rodeo Association.

(Submitted by FCFA, Kelly Tyus)