158TH WASHINGTON CO. FAIR BEGINS
It’s time for the 158th Washington County Fair.
The oldest county fair in Texas is underway through next Saturday, September 19th at the Washington County Expo, with livestock and rodeo events, music, contests, and carnival games and rides all in store.
Today’s (Friday) schedule includes the Future Legends Youth Rodeo at 6 p.m. and a pitch tournament at 7 p.m., plus judging in the barbecue cook-off for margaritas and steak shoot-out. Tomorrow (Saturday) will open with a trail ride at 8 a.m., a public speaking contest at 8:30 a.m., and the continuation of the barbecue cook-off at 9 a.m. for beans, chef’s choice, chicken, ribs and brisket competitions throughout the day. The parade through downtown Brenham begins at 10 a.m., followed by the presentation of cook-off awards at 5 p.m. and the crowning of the fair queen at 6:30 p.m.
Fair President Ricky Bosse, Vice President Cabin Warmke and Fair Manager Dean Fuchs appeared on this week’s edition of the KWHI Community Corner to give a rundown on the many events happening during fair week. Of note for the opening festivities tomorrow, Fuchs says there will be discounts for fair volunteers and visitors to enjoy for some food and drinks.
The theme for the fair this year is “Kickin’ It Old School”. The fair marshals for the parade are John and Carol Haarmeyer.
Also on tomorrow’s list of events is a bean bag tournament at noon, a car and truck show at 2 p.m., the ranch rodeo at 7:30 p.m., and music by the Black Cat Choir at 8 p.m.
Sunday’s activities begin with a Cowboy Church service at 8:30 a.m. The pet show will be held at 10:30 a.m., then the bucket calf show at 1:30 p.m. and the ag mechanics show at 4 p.m.
Events resume on Tuesday with armband night at the fair, offering free admission at the gate and $25 carnival armbands for unlimited rides. County team roping will take place at 7:15 p.m.
Wednesday marks the start of livestock judging events, with the day featuring broilers, rabbits, turkeys, barrows, carcass hogs, lambs, goats and steers. The crowning of the Little and Junior Mister and Miss will be held at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively.
Thursday will have a Senior Day breakfast at 7 a.m., and the day will also include the presentation of commercial steer awards at 8 a.m. and the scramble heifer and commercial halter heifer shows at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Champion Drive is set for 9:30 a.m.
Friday will have the commercial pen heifer and junior colt shows at 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., leading up to the Junior Livestock Auction at 1 p.m.
Rounding out the fair on Saturday will be the livestock judging contest at 8:15 a.m., little wrangler hay hauling at 9 a.m., country creations superior auction at 10 a.m., and the commercial steer, colt and commercial heifer sales at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The greased pig and hay hauling contests will be held at 6 p.m.
Fair week will also have numerous rodeo and mutton bustin’ events, along with a petting zoo, antique tractor displays, a country store, commercial exhibits, the Magic Bean Agriculture Magic Show, and the Extreme Dogs Stunt Show.
The music lineup next week will have Los Morales at 8 p.m. and Los Palominos at 10 p.m. on Wednesday. Thursday will bring in Triston Marez at 8 p.m. and Midland at 10 p.m. Friday will host Rick Trevino at 8:30 p.m. and Wade Bowen at 10:30 p.m. Saturday’s performances will be from Jackson Wendell at 7:45 p.m., Bottomland at 9 p.m. and Mark Chesnutt at 10:30 p.m.
Advance season ticket sales for the fair close at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow. They can be purchased from any of the fair queen candidates or online at www.washingtoncofair.com.
KWHI and KTEX-106 will have live coverage throughout the fair, including broadcasts from tomorrow’s parade and queen’s crowning. KWHI will also carry Washington County Fair reports during the morning, noon and evening newscasts, providing updates on livestock judging results and other events.
The two stations will also be raising money for the Brenham Pregnancy Center with the Wagon Wheel of Prizes from Wednesday to Saturday.