Fair Fun: Fayette County’s event gives community opportunity to  gather

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Horse show exhibitor Lindsey Pleasant is happy about the tips offered by judge Heidi Leef.   -- Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

Sept. 15, 2005 - For the 78th year, Fayette County residents and other guests were treated to an hour-long parade on Sept. 3, welcoming in the county fair that is “always Labor Day Weekend.”

Although gates to the fair are opened on the Thursday before Labor Day weekend, the parade on Saturday is considered the official opening for a full weekend of fun. This year was no exception. Although it was the Fayette County fair, floats from surrounding counties were welcome to participate in the parade.

Led by the flag-carrying Honor Guard from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the parade filled watchers’ senses with sights and sounds ... from the marching beats of the La Grange high school band to the colorfully decorated floats to the clippity-clop of the horses who carried their waving riders. While the adults in the crowd surrounding the Fayette County Courthouse in La Grange were eager to see everyone in the parade, the younger children looked forward to the candy pitched from most floats.

�While many parades have diminished in size throughout the years, this parade has continued to grow and attract more people to watch and attend the county fair.

� � Besides the parade, folks were treated to country music entertainers Ty England on Friday night, and Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers on Saturday, at the Marge Rosenberg Performing Arts Stage. Saturday night also featured Jamie Richards, who grew up on a dairy farm in Oklahoma and is a big fan of country music legends George Jones and Merle Haggard, performing on the German/Czech Mart Stage.

At the fairgrounds, there is never a shortage of things to do and see. There are amusement rides, petting zoos and pony rides, along with clowns roaming the grounds, making balloon animals for the youngsters.

A big draw for many fair-goers is the livestock barn and animal-holding areas where animals ranging from cows to pigeons can be viewed. This year’s featured feathered friend in the poultry barn was the Silkie Bantam, and several of the unique chickens, in a variety of colors, enthralled the crowd.

The Young Farmers group hosted their 38th annual hay show and auction, in conjunction with the Fayette County Fair. The hay had to be grown in Fayette or surrounding counties in the fall of 2004, or spring/summer of 2005.

When all the hay samples offered in contest had been judged, the Grand Champion title was earned by Stephen Matula of Schulenburg. His Red Top Cane hay scored 18.5.

The ag department at the fairgrounds gave folks an opportunity to check out farm products, garden and fruit products, pecans, large-size melons and pumpkins.

The Flower and Plant House on the fairgrounds had flower and plants for viewing and judging, while the creative arts division had everything from quilts, arts and crafts, canned goods, culinary products and photography ready for visitors to view.

Add numerous food booths, commercial exhibits, and the special German Czech Mart, complete with its own entertainment and dancing, the event offered plenty of amusement.

The Fayette County Fair has come and gone, yet there are similar events planned in nearby towns. Check Country Calendar listings for opportunities to get enjoy the sights and towns of county fairs and festivals.