On July 9, 1920, The Freestone County Livestock Association organized a permanent FREESTONE COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION in Teague, Texas. The first set of By-Laws were adopted.
The first FCFA Officers were: President A. P. Carter; Vice President A. L. George; Secretary Tilden L. Childs and Treasurer R. M. Thompson. Directors were Johnnie S. Ivy, T. J. Fortenberry; James V. Bounds, T. B. Connell, S. M. Corley and Roger Young.
On September 26,27,28, 1922, the first Freestone County Fair organized by the Freestone County Fair Association was held in Teague, Texas.
Pictures courtesy of Burlington-Rock Island Railroad Museum in Teague, Texas
In 1924, the FIRST PARADE, in the history of the Fair, was the opening feature of the Freestone County Fair in Teague.
In 1924, the FIRST FREESTONE COUNTY FAIR QUEEN was Lillian Lancaster escorted by King Ray Floyd White.
During 1925-1928 years, the Miss Freestone County Queen Pageant was not on the “LIST OF EVENTS.”
In 1927, the Trinity River Bridge was completed and opened connecting Freestone and Anderson counties. Also in 1927, Highway 7 (currently Hwy 84) in Fairfield was paved with concrete.
From 1929 – 1937, during the “DEPRESSION YEARS”, the Freestone County Fair Association DID NOT hold its annual county fair during these years.
In 1938, After a lapse of sixteen years, Freestone County will again have a fair on October 26 in Teague. Also, the FC Livestock Exhibit was held at Robert P. Riley’s stock pens on South 4th Ave in Teague.
In 1939, NEW rodeo pens were built in Teague for the forthcoming Freestone County Fair. Also in 1939, the new 218-foot grandstand on the west side of the arena was completed.
The 1939 Officers and Directed elected were President J. B. Hearne, Jr; Vice-President R. M. Senter, Jr.; Secretary/Treasurer Wm. J. Stringer; J. W. Richards, Jr. and K. D. Willingham to constitute the other two members of the Executive Committee of five members.
In 1939, The FC Fair and Rodeo offered a CASH PREMIUM of $360 to the farmers and livestock raisers in the county.
In 1939, the FIRST CARNIVAL to be held at the FC Fair was the Flying Millers, a well-known carnival.
Miss Elisa Hinson of Teague was crowned the 1939 Miss Freestone County Queen.
In 1939, two BOOSTER TRIPS (Local merchants in an automobile caravan) with the Teague band and FC Fair representatives of the Rodeo Committee talking about the rodeo traveled to Teague, Freestone, Donie, Dew, Buffalo, Oakwood, Fairfield, Mexia, Wortham, Richland, Streetman, and Kirvin. The merchants were requested to have banners stating their name and business on the sides of their cars, and they were permitted to hand out souvenirs advertising their business. Everyone going on the trip was urged to wear something suggestive of the rodeo: big hats, gaudily colored shirts and neckerchiefs, chaps, high heeled boots etc.
On October 2, 1939, Fairfield held the Freestone County 4-H Club and Livestock Show parade on Highway 7 (now Hwy 84) downtown Fairfield which was a single concrete lane.
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. All articles are referenced, and all pictures are given acknowledgements.
Contact Ms. Tyus, text 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. Deadline is April 10, 2022.
“LOOKING THRU THE PAST TO FIND THE FUTURE”
