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 News
Fair weekend
 Photo
by Russell Autrey • Fort Bend Herald
The YMCA held events at the Fort Bend County Fair Sunday,
and Savannah Stuart, 9, of Richmond tried her hand at
roping.
Nearly 45,000 people head to opening two days at fairgrounds
BY B.J. POLLOCK
bj@fbherald.com
Published:
Monday, September 28, 2009 11:43 AM CDT
The first weekend of the Fort Bend County Fair was a breeze,
even if the weather was hot.
Fair Manager Susan Sillavan said exact numbers are not
available from the new ticket-scanning system yet, but more
than 40,000 folks passed through the gates Friday, Saturday
and Sunday, with crowds increased from last year to take in
concerts by Brandon Rhyder, Stoney LaRue, Johnny Cooper,
Jack Ingram and Groupo Vida and the Electric Cowboys.
“The only thing that really affected us was Fort Bend ISD
kids not being here Friday,” Sillavan said in reference to
the school district’s decision not to give its students Fair
Day off.
All in all, though, said Sillavan, “The directors seem to be
very pleased. We had a great opening weekend; so far, so
good. The weather was great and we’re praying for the cool
front to come in.”
Among the biggest events for opening weekend were Student
Fun Day Friday, which Sillavan described as “a huge
success,” the crowning of Ashley Renee Bartee as 2009 Fair
Queen that evening and the Fort Bend County Reunion Youth
Rodeo that night.
Saturday’s fun began with the annual County Fair Recital and
continued with the Commercial Heifer Auction reception and
the return of the Fort Bend County Reunion Youth Rodeo.
Texas Cowboy Ministries’ church service opened Sunday’s
activities at 10 a.m. and the annual Talent Contest’s move
to Sunday afternoon, rather than the usual Monday night,
drew a large audience.
“They said that was the most people they’ve ever had
watching the Talent Contest,” said Sillavan.
She said the first-ever YMCA Kids Rodeo was wildly
successful as well.
“The stick-horse rodeo was the cutest thing,” she said. “It
was just adorable. There were lots of little kids
everywhere.”
Also Sunday afternoon, the School Art Auction brought grand
champion Renee Znan $8,000 for her colored drawing titled
“The Heart of Texas”.
The Fair opens at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon
Saturday.
Special Citizens Evening begins at 5 p.m. Monday in Building
D, followed by the Ranch Rodeo at 7 p.m. in the O.D. Tucker
Arena. County Barrel Racing and Team Roping starts at 7 p.m.
Tuesday in the arena.
That’s also the site for Wednesday’s Invitational Calf
Roping at 7:30 p.m. Rich O’Toole will be in concert at 8
p.m. on the Brazos Stage, followed by Casey Donahew.
Thursday’s big draws are the Junior Livestock Auction in the
A.P. George Barn and the Championship Rodeo Slack/PRCA/Bad
Company in the arena, both at 7 p.m.
Barbecue Cook-Off awards in the Culinary category will be
presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday on the Texas Stage, followed
by the Bucket Calf Show at 7 p.m. in the A.P. George Barn
and Championship Rodeo/PRCA/Bad Company at 7:30 p.m. in the
arena.
Concerts are plentiful Friday, with Justin Moore at on the
Brazos Stage and Bayou Roux on the Texas Stage, both at 8
p.m., and David Allan Coe at 10 p.m. on the Brazos Stage.
Saturday’s fun begins with the Pet Show at 11 a.m. at the
Brazos Stage; Freezer Sale at 12:30 p.m. in Building D;
Dujka Brothers in concert at 1 p.m. on the Texas Stage;
Children’s Tractor Pull at 2 p.m. in the arena; Let it Ride
in concert at 5 p.m. on the Texas Stage; and Barbecue
Cook-Off awards presentations at 5:30 p.m. on the Texas
Stage.
The final night of the Fair begins with the Championship
Rodeo/PRCA/Bad Company Tough Enough to Wear Pink/Breast
Cancer Awareness Night at 7:30 p.m. in the arena; Modern Day
Drifters in concert on the Brazos Stage and Crossroads in
concert on the Texas Stage, both at 9 p.m.; and country
crooner Aaron Watson performing at 11 p.m. on the Brazos
Stage. |
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