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

The Freestone County Fair & Rodeo officially kicked off on Monday with the annual parade down Commerce Street in Fairfield, Texas.

Lifetime Freestone County Volunteers served as this year’s Grand Marshalls. They include Nancy McSwane of Teague, Jacqueline Collins of Wortham, and Fairfield natives Sherry Brackens, Vanessa Smith, Michelle Watterson, and Lisa Neptune-Kamler.

Riding tall in the saddle were the Best Dressed Cowboy, Trace Sandlin, and Best Dressed Cowgirl, Macie Glick.

This year’s parade included 130 entries. Winners are as follows:

–Most Original – Faith Academy of Freestone

–Most Unique – 5R Metal Works

–Most Beautiful – Infant Miss Freestone County, Memphis Randall

Marching off with the ‘Spirit of Freestone’ trophy is the Grand Band from Eagle Land, the Fairfield High School marching band.

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

Go-Texan Committee is hosting several tournaments at the fairgrounds. Horseshoes were held on Monday, Washers on Tuesday, and Cornhole on Wednesday. This year, participants will be required to prove they live in Freestone County.

As this week’s edition of The ‘Times’ is being delivered to newsstands on Tuesday, the Miss Freestone County Scholarship Pageant is being held at Fairfield High School auditorium beginning at 7:00 p.m. Entry is $5 per person.

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

On Wednesday, the current Miss Texas, Averie Bishop, will attend a Tea at the Moody-Bradley House, hosted by the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce. Make plans to attend.

The Home & Garden Show building will be open Tuesday thru Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Pick up will be Friday until 12:30 p.m. Best of Show pictures will be taken at 12:00 noon on Wednesday for the newspapers.

The Rodeo committee has added a new event for youth participants in conjunction with the annual Youth rodeo. The Youth Rodeo will still be Wednesday night and is sponsored by Rollo Insurance. On Thursday night there will be a Youth Ranch Rodeo sponsored by Service Truck Depot. For the Youth Ranch Rodeo participants will need to enter through the Next Gen App.

For the Ranch Rodeo, each team will compete in three events calf branding, trailer loading and mugging. For both events, participants must be a graduating senior or 18 and under by June 12th. For pre-entries please text Jaymi Craig at 903-879-1073 or for more information Jerry Don McLeod at 903-879-3039

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 BWS Services, BWS Inspection and Keechi Creek Oilfield Services. J & J is the Rodeo Contractor again this year and entries will open on the Next Gen App. The rodeo will once again have the fan favorite Wild Cow Milking!

Every night the Mitchell Amusement Carnival will open at 6 pm to midnight. Bracelets are $30 nightly and $25 Tuesday family night.
Nightly Entertainment will be under the pavilion this year (turn to page 10-A for details). Woodshed Production and KNES have worked hard to bring local and Texas Country Bands this year to the Fair.

Lena Erwin will be coordinating the pet show at 3:00 on Saturday! If you have any questions, call Grooms for Dogs at 903-389-5300.

Visit the official Freestone Count Fair website at fcfar.org

For questions, please contact Michelle Welch at 903-390-7028 or rjlmwelch@gmail.com

(Photos by Natalia V. Marsters0