Much of the 45th Rockdale Fair has been canceled this October but the heart of the annual celebration—livestock shows and sales which benefit area 4-H and FFA youth—will remain.
Those shows, and an online Miss Rockdale Fair Queen pageant, will constitute the whole of the 2020 Fair.
Reason is, of course, the COVID-19 Pandemic which has impacted Milam County, Texas, the nation and the world.
That means no rodeo, barbecue cookoff, carnival, parade, car show, arts and crafts, home economics division, dances with big-time entertainers, pig scramble and more.
But there will be commercial heifers, ag mechanics, baked goods competition and their associated auctions.
SADDENED—“We are very saddened about having to cancel so much of the Fair,” Johnny Hill, Rockdale Fair Association president, said in a letter that’s going out to the community. “But with current local and state guidelines, and the concern for the safety of fair-goers, we feel it is the best decision at this time.”
Hill said the Rockdale Fair Association (RFA) board made the decision in a meeting last week after consulting with the City of Rockdale, which owns the park and its facilities.
(An election is scheduled Nov. 3 to ask voters if they want to transfer ownership to the RFA, which for over four decades has been constructing facilities, then donating them to the city.)
FINE TUNING—“We wanted to keep something for the youth of Milam County,” Hill said. “We know many have been taking care of animals for so long and, of course, the Milam County Junior Livestock Show last spring was canceled when this virus first hit.”
Hill said the RFA will continue to provide its annual scholarships.
“We believe at the shows we can work out a plan for social distancing that will keep everyone safe,” he said.
Hill said the plan will undergo fine tuning in upcoming weeks and will be posted as soon as finalized.
He said emphasis will be on keeping large groups of persons from congregating at the remaining events.
Hill said plans currently call for the annual livestock auction to continue as an in-person event, with special emphasis on social distancing.
SALES HISTORY— Since 1977, Rockdale Fair auctions have generated a staggering $8,665,582.
That includes $6,431,420 from the market sales, $2,079,365 from commercial heifer sales, $104,790 from baked goods sales and $49,975 from ag mechanics sales.
Last year’s $447,315 market sale set an all-time record. The $717,095 from combined sales at the 2019 Rockdale Fair was also an all-time record.
NO TICKETS—While the Miss Rockdale Fair Queen Pageant will proceed as an online event, the Fair Children’s Pageant has been canceled.
Hill said a schedule for the 2020 events remaining will be made public as soon as possible.
He said no tickets for the 2020 fair will be sold.
The Rockdale Fair & Rodeo is traditionally held the third full weekend in October with the queen contest on the preceding Saturday.
LETTER—Here is the full text of the letter sent by Hill for the public:
“To the Rockdale Fair Family,
The year 2020 has brought on many new challenges for the Rockdale Fair Association (RFA) in planning for the 2020 Rockdale Fair and Rodeo.
Due to concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the RFA Board of Directors have made the very difficult decision to cancel portions of the 2020 Rockdale Fair and Rodeo.
“We are saddened to announce the cancellation, but with the current local and state guidelines and the concerns for the safety of the fair-goers we feel it is the best decision at this time.
Our mission is ‘Dedicated to the Youth and Agriculture in Milam County.’ In order to continue to help and support the Youth of Milam County, we will continue to have the livestock show, commercial heifer show, ag mechanics, baked goods and the associated sales.
“This will allow the kids a chance to exhibit their projects and reward them for their hard work through the year.
We will also have the annual Miss Rockdale Fair Queen contest which will continue providing scholarships for those winners.
“The revised schedules will be publicized within the coming weeks and will be developed with the safety of exhibitors and their families in mind.
“For up-t0-date information and schedules, visit our Facebook page: Rockdale Fair & Rodeo.
“We would like to thank everyone for their continued support of the Rockdale Fair and Rodeo year after year, as well as the hard work of the RFA.
“We look forward to continuing Rockdale Fair traditions and hope to see you all for the 46th annual Rockdale Fair in 2021.
“Regards, Johnny D. Hill”
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