Arts-Photography Get your fair on - Kerrville Daily Times |
| Get your fair on - Kerrville Daily Times Posted: 22 Oct 2009 06:17 AM PDT Fun for the entire family promises to be the main attraction at the 30th annual Kerr County Fair. The event, set for today through Sunday at the Hill Country Youth Exhibit Center, features a variety of activities for young and old alike. Kerr County Fair Association treasurer Sandra Yarbrough said the fair has been steadily growing throughout the years, and she expects that tradition to continue. "I think it is a very good family environment," she said. One of the reasons for the event's success is its affordability. Yarbrough said organizers have kept costs low to allow families an outlet — something that's especially needed given the state of the economy. Admission is free on Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. and $5 on other days for individuals older than 10 years. Those 10 and younger are admitted at no charge. The exception is Friday, when an early bird special — two admitted for the price of one — is offered from 5 to 6 p.m. Parking is free all weekend. Another draw is the number of activities showcased at the fair. Highlights include a carnival and midway, contests, cook-offs, a parade, pageants, bull riding, entertainment and a dance. Parade The Kerr County Fair Parade will kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday in downtown, rain or shine. Entries may check-in up until lineup at 8 a.m. at the corner of Earl Garrett and North Streets. There is no fee to enter. Yarbrough said about 50 entries have been received, so far, including floats, bands, fire trucks and local clubs and organizations. People on horseback, bicycles and other modes of transportation are welcome. She said having a decorated entry in the parade is a great way to advertise a business, as well. The parade route follows Earl Garrett and Water streets. Throwing objects from the parade entry, including gum and candy, is prohibited. Campaigning also is not allowed. Entertainment One thing that has changed this year is the band that will entertain at the dance. This go-round Jim Bryom will entertain the crowd with "some good dancing music," Yarbrough said, noting country music will be presented. "We are really excited about having him," she said. Other entertainment will include the Johnny Adair's band, "picking and grinning" groups and costumed characters. The dance will start at 9 p.m. and continue until 1 a.m. at the exhibit center. There is no charge for admission. Yarbrough said the music is family-oriented, so everyone is welcome. Carnival Merriam's for Fun will bring a thrilling carnival for this year's event. Yarbrough said fair-goers can expect fairly diverse rides, including those for young children and thrill-seeking adults. "We've kept admission the same (as last year)," she said, noting those older than 10 are charged $5 while children 10 and younger are admitted free. Vendors About 50 vendors have signed up to sell an assortment of items. Yarbrough said shoppers can expect to see paintings, candles, cookware and silver jewelry among the booths. They also can purchase food items, everything from hamburgers to funnel cakes, from nine vendors. Pageants The Kerr County Fair Queen's Court Scholarship Pageant will showcase local high school beauties while the Kerr County Fair Little Miss Court will include third graders. Queen's Court contestants will compete for three scholarships — Queen, $1,000; Princess, $750; and Duchess, $500. A Miss Photogenic also will be selected. Little Miss Court participants will compete for three scholarships — Little Miss, $300; Little Princess, $200; and Little Duchess, $100. A Miss Photogenic also will be chosen. All contestants will participate in the parade on Saturday. Creative Arts There are numerous divisions in creative arts, including arts and crafts, painting-fine arts, photography, needlework, quilts, sewing, horticulture, crops and products, canning, baking and candy. Yarbrough said there tends to be lots of entries by the younger crowd in arts and crafts and painting and noted amateur photography entries were at an all-time high last year. She is not sure what will happen in the horticulture division in light of the drought, however she said there seems to be a lot of interest in "going back to the basics" with heritage skills, such as canning and crocheting. Check the Events Catalog for details. Jackpot Show The 4-H and Future Farmers of America Jackpot Show features four divisions — steers, lambs, meat goats and market swine. All exhibits must be owned by the exhibitors. Awards vary per division and place. Check the Events Catalog for details. Cook-off The Kerr County Fair Champion Cook-off will features several divisions, including jackpot chili, pinto beans and salsa. Barbecue divisions include beef brisket, pork ribs and chicken. Entries will be accepted based on space availability. Children's Activities A coloring contest, dog show and western attire competition highlights children's activities. The coloring contest is open to children from Kerr, Bandera, Edwards, Kimble, Gillespie and Kendall counties. An entry picture may be picked up at The UPS Store at 317 Sidney Baker South. Children will be judged in categories based on grade level — pre-school, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first, second and third grades. Only crayons or map pencils may be used. The child's name, age, grade and school should be on the back of each entry. Entries will be accepted from 1 to 6 p.m. today (Thursday) at the exhibit center. There is no charge to enter. Judging will be done Friday. "Every kid will get a ribbon," Yarbrough said. Also, children in pre-school through 12th grade may enter their dogs in the Doggie Dog Show. Registration begins at 1 p.m. Sunday. Judging will follow at 2 p.m. Dogs must be leashed and kept on leashes the entire time they are on the fairgrounds. Each exhibitor is limited to three classes. Classes include biggest dog, smallest, shortest ears, longest ears, curliest hair, friendliest, shortest tail, longest nose and best dressed (costume). Awards also will be given for Best of Show and showmanship. "All kids get an award of some sort, Yarbrough said. She noted it's hard to tell who is more proud — the children or their dogs. Youngsters can don their favorite western fashions and compete for ribbons in six events — best greeting, best head gear, best footwear, most original or unique, Best of Show and showmanship. The two age categories include 4 to 6 years old, and 7 to 12 years old. Participants will have up to two minutes to model on stage. Yarbrough said parents can accompany their children on stage if the youngsters are a little timid. Petting Zoo Mark Mills, owner of Party Animals, will provide about 65 species of animals for the petting zoo. One of the stars is Howie, a small camel. Others include rabbits, goats and deer. One year he brought a hedge hog, Yarbrough said. Children will be able to interact with the animals and also can purchase little cups of feed. Rodeo Events Bull riding and mutton busting are on tap for this year's fair. Yarbrough said the bull riding draws both local contestants and those from out of state. The event always garners a good crowd, and the Lester Myer Rodeo Company provides a full roster of bull riders and quality livestock, she said. Another highlight will be mutton busting. "There's more and more interest in it," Yarbrough said. She noted youngsters need to show up at about 6 p.m. to sign up. "I don't know how many he will take," she said. One event marked off last year's list is team penning. Contests Contests include a hay show for Kerr County residents and skillet-throwing for women only. Classes featured in the hay show include Sorghum Sudan, perennial grasses (Klein grass), winter annuals (oats), coastal Bermuda, Legumes and other Bermuda. Blue, red and white ribbons will be awarded. All blue ribbons will be eligible to compete at the state hay show. Grand and reserve champion plaques also will be presented. Regarding the skillet-throwing, Yarbrough described the event as being perfect for wives who need to let their frustrations fly. "Pretend it's your husband," she said. The event features stationary targets and otherwise. Yarbrough said a couple of men had volunteered to serve as live targets. "This is a lot of fun," she said. Each contestant will get three throws. Categories include longest distance, closest to the target and "stayed inside the designated lines best." There is no charge to enter and ribbons will be awarded. At a glance What: 30th annual Kerr County Fair When: Oct. 22-25 Where: Hill Country Youth Exhibit Center, Texas 27 east Contact: 257-6833, e-mail kcfa(at)kerrcountyfair.com or visit www.kerrcountyfair.com Schedule of Events Today 1-6 p.m. - Check-in Creative Arts Department and coloring contest 5-10 p.m. - Carnival and Midway opens 7 p.m. - Creative Arts judging (Closed to public) 10 p.m. - Grounds close Friday 9 a.m. - Vendor check-in and set-up 3 p.m. - Cook-off check-in and set-up 5 p.m. - Gates open to the public, carnival and midway, vendors open for business and petting zoo. 11 p.m. - Grounds close Saturday 8 a.m. - Parade check-in at North and Earl Garrett Streets 9 a.m. - Baked goods check-in at the exhibit hall, the cook-off starts and judging of the parade entries begins 10-11a.m. - Parade starts in downtown, fairground gates open to the public, baked goods judging, salsa tasting competition and cook-off Noon-1 p.m.- Pinto bean judging and steers check-in, carnival, midway opens and barbecue chicken judging 2-3 p.m. -Pork ribs judging, beef brisket judging and scholarship pageant 5-6 p.m. - Cook-off awards (exhibit hall) and scholarship pageant crowing 7:30 p.m. - Bull riding 9 p.m. - Dance (Jim Byrom Band) Sunday 6:30 a.m. - Swine check-in 10 a.m. - Fairgrounds open to the public, vendors, exhibitors, prospect show and petting zoo 1-2 p.m. - Carnival wristband discounts with each adult admission, Doggie Dog Show registration and Doggie Dog Show 3-4 p.m. - Children's western wear attire contest and entertainment 6 p.m. - Fair closes This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
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