The Rockdale Reporter recently sat down with longtime Rockdale Fair Association volunteer James Birk-head to discuss the history of the Rockdale Fair and his accomplishments.
Here are our questions and his answers:
Wht is yor tite o the Fair Borths yer
“This year I serve as vice president of general affairs. I have also served as president of this organization in 1991-92, 2003-04 and 2011-12.”
Ho log hve yo been volunteering w ith the Rock-d a le Fair “40 years.”
Wh do you volun teer for the Fair
“Because I like the opportunity to provide the youth of Milam County a venue to show and sell their pro - ects and to provide a county fair for Rockdale and Milam County.
We didn’t have the Fair when I grew up in Rockdale, and it’s the largest event for our community each year and something I believe has become a tradition for Rock-dale.”
O fall the even ts wht is y our favorite at the Fair
“My favorites are the livestock shows because raising and showing livestock teaches the kids responsibility. It’s so rewarding to see them complete their pro ects and get rewarded when exhibiting and selling their proects.”
What’s the best thing about the Fair
“There are many best things. Entertainment venues and dances, arts and crafts shows, barbecue cook off, rodeo, livestock shows, parade, car show and great concession vendors.
“Each year it feels like a homecoming as everyone attends the fair. For my family we are on the third generation attending each year.”
Wht is the biggest chllenge with putting on the Fair
“Finding enough volunteers to plan and execute the many events over the full week of activities.”
W hen d oes the b oa rd start planning for each yer’s Fair
“We start planning for the next Fair the day after the furrent falr finlshes1 Lt is a full 12 month process to schedule and book and plan the many events.”
How can people get in v olv ed if they w ou ld lik e to hep w iththe F a ir
“Volunteer to help by telling one of the board members or sign up and become a member of the Fair Association. The application is on our website.”
What im provements w ere m a d e to this year’s Fair Grounds?
“We built a new hard surfaced and compacted pad for the carnival area to improve the safety and stability of the area and improve the walking surface. (See page 1A.)
“We also completed drainage work in the rodeo arena and added more arena sand.”
Whwere thoe im proements made
“To provide for a better all-weather area in case of rain and improved safety for out contestants and visitors to Fair Park.
“We had a rain out during last year’s event due to the wet ground conditions and we hope to eliminate this problem in the future if possible.”
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