Livestock, people commingle at one of state's oldest ag fairs

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Tough job ... This pig works hard at his job at the Great American Petting Zoo, a feature at the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo. The visitors could also touch a variety of farm animals. -- Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

March 3, 2005 - For the 56th year, people from all around Texas and surrounding states made their way to the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo, held in the SBC Center, since 2003.

This year's attendance was just 1,095,939; down just slightly from the 2004 attendance of 1,105,321.

A big portion of the event is the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Inc. (SALE) with its mission of "Helping Youth Today So That Agriculture Can Grow Tomorrow."

History shows that in 1854, one of the first agricultural fairs held in Texas came to San Antonio. While others followed in the years to come, there was really no venue that was large enough to accommodate the shows.

In the early 1940s, Joe Freeman decided the youth and the agricultural/livestock industries deserved a real place to call their own, in order to keep young people interested in agriculture.

Freeman gathered support and money for the project that resulted in the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum, which opened to the public on Feb. 17, 1950, with the first, annual San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Each year, crowds grew and the popularity of the Show and Rodeo expanded.

By 1984, the SALE executive committee decided to encourage 4-H and FFA high school students to continue in an education connected to agriculture by offering the SALE Scholarship Fund. That first year, 15 four-year scholarships totaling $90,000 were presented to students entering Texas universities, majoring in some form of ag.

In 2004, a record $6.1 million was committed to students, in the form of scholarships, grants, endowments, auction, the calf scramble program and show premiums. To date, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo has committed in excess of $58 million, since the beginning in 1984.

Records show that almost 3,000 Texas college students have taken part in the educational money, with 153 Texas counties represented by students. This year, another 300 new scholars will join the group, and there are, currently, 817 active scholarship recipients. These students attend 57 colleges and universities across Texas.

In the livestock barns, exhibit halls and facilities, on Feb. 15, there were visitors of all ages, taking part in the fun and beautiful weather. Numerous area school children were being treated to a special "field-day," as were residents of an area nursing home. Last year, a record 1,105,321 visitors attended the two-week show.

Kindergartners from Mrs. Gross' Randolph Elementary School in San Antonio visited with Joseph Carheel, an educational specialist in child nutrition, who described the difference in fruits and vegetables, and why they are important to everyone's daily diet. Few of them (or adults) knew the grapefruit is the state fruit of Texas!

Also on Feb. 15, the livestock barns were filled with students and sponsors, working with their animals or sneaking a quick nap in a folding chair or on top of equipment. There were card games and music, along with snacks and drinks of all descriptions; everyone just waiting for their turn to try for a championship.

Some were already starting to come to the realization that ... once this show was over ... they must say "good-bye" to the animals they have cared for and raised. But, as they explain it, it goes with the "territory." It's a part of the learning experience. It's part of being a participant in the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo, and many of them plan to be back, next year.