DARCY LUEDKE NAMED AUSTIN CO. FAIR QUEEN

  

The 98^th Annual Austin County Fair got underway this weekend with the fair queen’s crowning on Saturday.

This year’s Fair Queen is Darcy Luedke.  First Runner-Up is Katie Schumann, while Second Runner-up is Rylea Roecker and Third Runner-Up is Bailey Locke.

Olivia Bolten was named the Fair Ticket Queen.  Darcy Luedke was First Runner-Up for Ticket Queen, with Bailey Locke being named Second Runner-Up and Emma Benoit winning both Third Runner-Up and Miss Congeniality.

Also on Saturday were the Little and Junior Mister and Miss contests and the Junior Fair Queen contest.  The Little Mister and Miss are Peach Baranowski and Lacey Kmiec, and the Junior Mister and Miss are Peyton Trost and Kendal Bettis.  The Junior Fair Queen is Wimberley Sandoval.

Livestock judging is going on through Thursday.  That will be the day for the parade through downtown Bellville at 10 a.m., which will have Carolyn Balke as the Grand Marshal.  The parade’s theme is “Open the Gate and Hold for 8”.

The youth livestock sale begins at 10 a.m. Friday.  The youth supreme and country fair auction will take place on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Featured entertainers at the fair will be Slade Coulter at 8 p.m. and Tucker Wetmore at 10 p.m. on Thursday, David Lewis at 8 p.m. and Braxton Keith at 10 p.m. on Friday, and Blackhawk at 9 p.m. and 38 Special at 11 p.m. on Saturday.

In addition to the music, the fair will have carnival games and rides, rodeo events, comedy shows, a petting zoo, a country store and a wine show.

For more information on the fair, visit https://austincountyfair.com.