Generations Enjoy County Fair Traditions

County Fair Week Off to Strong Start

It’s Fair Week, and activities at the fairgrounds are in full swing.

The Freestone County Fair & Rodeo officially kicked off on Monday with a ribbon cutting at their new show barn and the annual parade down Commerce Street in Fairfield, Texas.

This year’s theme was ‘Keep Our Traditions Alive.’

Serving as this year’s Grand Marshalls were the hard-working volunteers of Freestone County Go Texan Committee, including board members Sutton Jones, Mika Scott, Jessica Corley-Rieves, Michael Grisset, Kenny Bulger, Chuck Lopez, Brittany Kennedy, and Courtney Phelps.

Their float entry was also voted this year’s Most Original.

Additional winners are as follows:

–Most Unique – Johnson Air

–Most Beautiful – Little Miss Freestone County, Laney Lehman

The coveted ‘Spirit of Freestone’ trophy was awarded to the Taylor German Team (TGT) Realty (above and at top) for their float entry.

Riding tall in the saddle were the Best Dressed Cowboy, Jett Cathey and Best Dressed Cowgirl, Rosalyn Pratt.

Jett is the 3-year-old son of Brittnee and Bobby Cathey of Teague. He rode his horse, Bullseye. Jett loves to rope and ride sheep, and he is signed up to compete in the Mutton Bustin contest at the rodeo this weekend.

Rosalyn is the 2-year-old daughter of Hannah and Eli Pratt of Fairfield. She loves singing, playing in the dirt, and her sisters.

The livestock shows continue each day this week, with the Livestock Sale on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. The buyer’s breakfast starts at 8:00 a.m. Saturday in the Green Barn.

Go-Texan Committee is hosting several tournaments at the fairgrounds. Horseshoes were held on Monday, Washers on Tuesday, and Cornhole on Wednesday. These tournaments are for in-county residents ONLY.

As this week’s edition of The ‘Times’ is being delivered to newsstands on Tuesday, the Miss Freestone County Scholarship Pageant was held at Fairfield High School auditorium with the current Miss Texas, Ellie Breaux as emcee.

Find out who will wear this year’s crown as Pre-Teen, Miss Teen, and Miss Freestone County in next week’s edition.

Miss Texas was also in town on Wednesday to attend an elegant Tea at the Moody-Bradley House, hosted by the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce. Look for pictures next week.

The Home & Garden Show building will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pick up will be on Friday, also from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Several new categories were added to the show this year, including Fruit & Vegetable Creatures, Crocheted Characters, and Calligraphy. Be sure to take some time to check out the best of Freestone County talent.

Best of Show pictures will be published in the newspaper next week.

The Youth Rodeo will be on Wednesday, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

This year’s Youth Ranch Rodeo will be held Thursday evening, beginning at 8:00 p.m.

The UPRA/CPRA Rodeos will be on Friday and Saturday nights, with Mutton Bustin’ brought to you by RTS Williams starting at 7:00 p.m.

The premier rodeo sponsors are Rollo Insurance, Texas 99.1 KNES, Citizens State Bank, Glick Excavation, KCOS Keechi Creek Oilfield Services, and BWS Inspection – BWS Services, LLC. The rodeo will once again have the fan favorite Wild Cow Milking!

Every night, the Mitchell Amusement Carnival will be open from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. Bracelets are $30 nightly.

Nightly Entertainment will be under the pavilion this year with music beginning at 8:00 p.m. The Chaser Crouch Band will perform on Thursday, local favorite Lanky Moore and Diamondback on Friday, and Sunny Sauceda will finish out on Saturday.