Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo just keeps getting better

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Audry Sanders, a sixth grader from Llano, shows off her steer, Aggie. -- Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

March 31, 2005 - For the 68th year, people from all over Texas visited Austin for the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo this month. The show focuses on "Promoting Youth Education-Preserving Western Heritage," and that part has never changed.

In 2004, $174,000 in scholarships was awarded to more than 36 students in 25 counties, making the Star of Texas the largest non-profit collegiate scholarship provider in Central Texas. Over $1.3 million went to 1,000 students in the form of prize money and from auction proceeds.

In the past 20 years, more than $18 million has been awarded to Texas students.

Tiffany Schmidt, of the Smithson Valley FFA, took first place with her goat. -- Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

The Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo has come a long way since 1938. It began as the Travis County Baby Beef Show and was held in downtown Austin on West 11th Street and Congress Avenue. It wasn't until about 50 years later, in 1977, that the show's name was officially changed to the Austin-Travis County Livestock Show.

According to information from the media guide provided, the Austin Chamber of Commerce in Austin took over the annual show in 1957 "as a project of the Chamber's Agriculture Department."

In 1971, L.J. Ludecke donated 21 acres of land that was to be sold for proceeds to acquire a permanent home for the annnual event. By 1983, the show had grown so much, the board of directors decided it was time to sell the acreage and look for a permanent home for the livestock show. The donated property sold for $350,000, and an additional $4.5 million was raised in private donations.

The search for a new location ended in 1983 when the citizens of Austin voted to allow the livestock show a 50-year lease on a 128-acre tract of the Walter E. Long Municipal Park. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in October 1983, and by March 31, 1984, the site was ready for the livestock exhibitions.

After careful consideration, 7-year-old Geoffrey Tyler of Houston has selected a new hat from one of the vendors at the fair. -- Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

The name of the show was changed to the Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo in 1999, and by 2000, it was decided by the board of directors that the show would become a regional show.

This year, over 100 counties were represented at the show, with 4-H and FFA students from throughout the state participating in one way or another.

During this year's livestock competition, there were many interesting sights. Nine-year-old Ethan Copeland of Hutto showed his black steer for the first time, with his dad calling out encouragement and directions from the bleachers. Audry Sanders, a sixth grader from Llano, was showing her steer, Aggie. Although a small girl, Audry controlled her hefty steer very well.

At a goat judging, friends in the audience squealed with glee when their friend Tiffany Schmidt, of the Smithson Valley FFA, won first prize.

Like the livestock shows in San Antonio and Houston, 4-H and FFA students were busy working with their animals, grooming them for the next contest, playing cards to pass the down time or catching a few winks under a cap or hat until time to perform, again.

Several vendors lined the walkways in some of the buildings. In one, 7-year-old Geoffrey Tyler of Houston picked out a new, black cowboy hat with the help of his mom. She said she'd given her three older daughters money for spring break, so she wanted to do something "special" for Geoffrey, so he was getting a new hat and belt.

Now, another Star of Texas event is under the belt, so to speak; and organizers, competitors, and vendors are already planning for the 2006 Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo.