Freestone County Fair & Rodeo will be drastically different this year, on the heels of a global pandemic, as business and activities are still in the process of getting back to normal.
Gone are the carnival rides, home & garden show, rodeo and nightly entertainment.
However, thanks to the hard work of the Fair Board volunteers, the ag mechanics show, and market (only) livestock shows and annual sale will go on this week at the fairground in Fairfield, Texas.
The community is asked to keep attendance to a minimum at the shows, and to continue practicing social distancing.
The Fair Board thanks the community for their cooperation. “We just want to keep everyone safe,” says the Freestone County Fair Association.
For those needing one, free masks are available at Fairfield City Hall, currently located at 425 W. Commerce Street, says City Administrator Nate Smith.
The City of Fairfield is also assisting the Fair Association with PPE supplies, such as masks and hand sanitizer, to use during the four-day event.
The Ag Mechanics Show will be judged on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 beginning at 1:00 p.m. (check-in for exhibitors is from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.).
This event showcases tractor restoration as well as new construction of such items as trailers, farm and ranch equipment, shop equipment, outdoor recreation, woodworking, truck and tractor accessories, and wildlife equipment.
All projects are constructed by FFA and 4-H students under supervision of their teachers or club leaders. Projects will be taken home by exhibitors, immediately following the show.
This year’s Livestock Market Shows is expected to include:
–40 Steers
–56 Goats
–68 Hogs
–31 Sheep
–41 Rabbits
–13 Chickens
Wednesday, June 17th will begin with the Market Poultry Show at 7:30 a.m. (check-in from 6:30 to 7:00 a.m.).
Exhibitors of sheep and goats will weigh-in from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. with the Market Sheep Show beginning at 1:00 p.m., immediately followed by the Market Goat show.
Finally, market steer entries will weigh-in on Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Rabbits will be checked in Thursday morning, June 18th from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., with judging beginning at 9:30 a.m. for the Market Rabbit show.
Swine will weigh-in from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, as well.
The Market Steer show will take place beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 18th.
Then, on Friday, June 19th, the Market Swine show will begin judging at 8:00 a.m.
The Freestone County Fair will culminate with the Youth Livestock Auction on Saturday, June 20th in the Ike Carden Arena. Buyers Appreciation Breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. with the Sale beginning at 9:30 a.m.
For more information about the Sale, contact Clint Minchew, Sale Chairman, at 903-879-6463.
Over 70 percent of the exhibitors that previously entered the Freestone County Fair breeding shows took the opportunity to exhibit their animal projects at the FreeCo Breeding Show held this past Saturday, June 13, 2020 at Limestone County fairgrounds in Groesbeck, Texas. See article on page 5-A.
Thanks to the sponsorship of Cowboy Heritage Church of Freestone County, the annual Youth Rodeo in honor of Yates Manahan will be held in their arena at 309 U.S. Highway 84 (between Teague and Fairfield) on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 beginning at 7:00 p.m. For more information about the Youth Rodeo, contact Lisa Webb at 903-388-2439 or Heather Stuver at 254-625-2382.
