TAYLOR ECKELBERG CROWNED AUSTIN CO. FAIR QUEEN

  

The 97^th Annual Austin County Fair kicked off over the weekend with Saturday’s fair queen crowning.

Named as Fair Queen was Taylor Eckelberg, who was also Ticket Queen.

Ally Estep was First Runner-up Fair Queen.  The Second Runner-up Fair Queen, Third Runner-up Ticket Queen and Miss Congeniality was Carly Allen.

Third Runner-up Fair Queen and First Runner-up Ticket Queen was Ainsley Hancock.  Kayleigh Kendrick finished as Second Runner-up Ticket Queen. 

Saturday also had the Little and Junior Mister and Miss contests and the Junior Fair Queen announcement.  This year’s Little Mister and Miss are Jack Khoryait and Blaire Branscum, and the Junior Mister and Miss are Jase Maynor and Blakelyn Quinn Beamon.  The Junior Fair Queen is Emma Krenek.

Livestock judging is underway through Thursday.  The parade through downtown Bellville will be held Thursday starting at 10 a.m., with a theme of “Rock Around the Stock”.  The youth livestock auction will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, with the youth supreme and country fair auction starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

This week’s entertainment will include Little Texas at 8 p.m. and Aaron Watson at 10 p.m. on Thursday; Austin Snell at 8 p.m. and Corey Kent at 10 p.m. on Friday; and Walker Montgomery at 9 p.m. and the Randy Rogers Band at 11 p.m. on Saturday.

Along with the music, the fair will have a carnival, rodeo events, comedy shows, a petting zoo and pet show, a country store, and a wine show.

To learn more about the fair, visit www.austincountyfair.com.