Rockdale is already assured of a better “big weekend” for the Rock-dale Fair in 2018, compared to one year ago.
That’s because one year ago Luminant announced on “Fair Friday” it was closing both units of its Sand-ow Power Plant, ending a 65-year power generation era in Rockdale.
It didn’t affect the Fair, though. The very next day area business people stepped up to the plate and provided a stunning $689,295 for area 4-H and FFA youth. That included a record $392,870 in the youth livestock action and $296,425 in the commercial heifer sale.
Those events will be back, with both sales on Saturday, along with many old favorites, including a rodeo, barbecue cookoff, parade, carnival, home economics division, dances with country and Tejano stars and much more.
THAT RAIN!—Yes, Fair organizers are aware of the 5-inch rain and much cooler temperatures which moved into the Rockdale area this week. No changes are planned.
“We’re going to go ahead and do whatever we can do,” Cindy Hughes, Rockdale Fair Association President told The Reporter.
Actually while the chance of rain remains through the Fair weekend, slightly warmer temperatures are forecast.
ENTRIES—Two hundred thirty-three youngsters will display 369 entries during the market show, leading to Saturday’s sale.
Monica Garrison, Rockdale Fair Association (RFA) vice-president of livestock, listed entries as follows:
• Swine, 37 exhibitors with 75 entities.
• Lambs, 27 exhibitors with 35 entries.
• Goats, 44 exhibitors with 69 entries.
• Steers, 23 exhibitors with 38 entries.
• Rabbits, 64 exhibitors with 98 entries.
• Broilers, 38 exhibitors with 63 entries.
There’s no turkey division in 2018.
MORE—Garrison said there are `47 commercial heifer entries in 2008.
She said there are six junior and 14 senior entries in the ag mechanics show.
In the baked goods auction junior division there were 40 cakes, 25 pies and 35 cookie entries.
Senior division figures showed 23 cakes, 18 pies and 17 cookie entries.
TICKETS—Thursday at noon is the deadline to purchase season tickets for the Fair. Gates close and all persons will need tickets to enter Fair Park. Prices are:
Adult, $25.
• Child, ages 5-12, $15.
• Senior citizen, ages 60 and over, $15.
Children ages 4 and under are admitted free.
One-day tickets at the gate Friday and Saturday will be $20 for adults and $10 for 5-12 and 60-and-above.
RETURNING—A popular first-time event from previous Fairs returns.
The Old West Rangers, the official 1880s reenactors group of the Texas Rangers will be at Fair Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
The Rangers will perform about every 90 minutes with “old west shootouts” and their safety and weapons displays will be at the park all day.
MUSIC—Pat Green is the Saturday night headliner under the park pavilion, He will take the 11 p.m., preceded by The Emotions at 8. Mark Chesnutt takes center stage Friday at 10:30 p.m. His opening act is Kenny Orts at 8:30.
Thursday’s Tejano Night features Michael Salgado who will perform under the pavilion starting at 9:30 p.m.
PARADE—The Cameron Volunteer Fire Department, which has provided assistance to many Fair activities over the years will be grand marshals of Saturday’s parade which rolls down US 79 from downtown to the park at 10 a.m.
Parade registration begins at 7:30 a.m.
CARNIVAL—The carnival midway is up and rides, games and food booths will re-open at 6 p.m. Wednesday (free park admittance on Wednesday), 6 p.m. Thursday, 12-noon on Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday.
Prices for “bracelets” which allow the bearer unlimited rides were listed as follows:
Wednesday, Oct 17—Carnival begins at 6:30 p.m., wristbands are in effect from 7-10 p.m. and cost $20.
Thursday—Carnival opens at 5 p.m., wristbands are in effect from 6-10 p.m. and cost $25.
Friday—Carnival opens at 5 p.m., wristbands are in effect from 6-10 p.m. and cost $25.
Saturday—Carnival opens at 1 p.m., wristbands are in effect from 5-10 p.m. and cost $30.
Without wristbands, rides will cost between three to five tickets at $1 each.
RODEOS—Cadillac Rodeo Company of Mexia, owned by Johnny Hoyle, is stock producer for the 2018 fair rodeo.
Rodeo action begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday with slack at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Events include bareback and saddle bronc riding, calf roping, bull riding, team roping, steer wrestling, calf scramble, women’s barrel racing and women’s breakaway roping.
There’s open 5D barrel racing at 8 p.m. Thursday.
Mutton busting for the youngsters (kids on lambs) will be incorporated with each rodeo performance. There will be two sessions in the park arena, at 7:30 and 7:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights.
BBQ—The 2017 Fair Barbecue Cookoff, sponsored by The Rockdale Reporter, was the largest in the event’s history with 28 teams competing.
The Reporter is also sponsoring the 2018 event and cookoff teams will converge on the park Friday to prepare everything from brisket and chicken to more exotic delicacies.
Judging begins at noon with trophies to be awarded at 4 p.m.
The classic and antique car show last year drew hundreds of browsers to the park’s northeast corner and it will be there again on Saturday.
Champions in washer competitions will be crowned Saturday. Juniors get under way at 11:30 a.m., followed by senior pitching at 1:30.
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