"A Day at the State Fair of Texas"

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

Yesterday, was one of those "rare" days, that you leave the office, early in the morning and travel to Dallas to "take in" the State Fair of Texas. Having been reared in a family that showed livestock at the State Fair of Texas every year, it wasn't something new for me, but it was an opportunity to follow the kids from Hopkins County, as they exhibited their livestock and shared some of the very same experiences that I had enjoyed as a youth. Some things hardly ever change!

 

 

Yes, the State Fair of Texas is a memorable experience for any youth and something that will create lasting memories for those who participate. You take your animals to the State Fair of Texas and compete with animals and other youth from all across the state, seeing just how well your animal "measures up" against some "mighty stiff competition." And, you'll never forget the experience of riding the rides on the Midway, almost getting sick eating the cotton candy, and sharing the excitement with your friends!

 

 

Some of my fondest memories of "growing up" were made at the State Fair of Texas. It isn't far to travel for youth, from Hopkins County, and thus, it creates an experience that is easily accomplished and one that will "stick with you" for a lifetime!

The youth from Hopkins County that showed sheep and goats, had shown on Wednesday, and already gone home. However, there were youth from Miller Grove FFA, showing their swine projects, youth from Sulphur Bluff FFA, showing their steer projects, and youth from Como-Pickton ISD, who were attending a show for the Skills U.S.A. Team. Hopkins County was well represented at the State Fair of Texas, on Thursday.

 

Phillip Rater, showing with the Miller Grove FFA, exhibits his swine
project.

 

 

 

The Miller Grove FFA placed well in the Swine Show, as their animals took a number of the slots in the "top ten of their classes."

 

 

 

Then, it was the youth from the Sulphur Bluff FFA, that had their steer entries entered in the show, on Thursday afternoon. I "caught" Maycee and Mikala Potts busy, as they were "washing steers" on Thursday morning, getting ready for the show.

 

 

Maycee and Mikayla Potts were giving their steers "a bath" with anticipation of
showing later in the day, on Thursday. They were representing Sulphur Bluff FFA.

 

 

And, youth from Como-Pickton were attending the State Fair of Texas, on Thursday, as they attended a Skills U.S.A. meeting and began their projects for the state convention, that will be held next spring. The youth from Como-Pickton were "taking in the sights" at the State Fair of Texas. For some reason I got the idea they were much more interested in the rides on the midway, than they were at building projects for something that will take place next springs, what do you think?

 

These youth from Como-Pickton School were attending the Skills U.S.A. Show and spending time
riding the rides on the Midway!!!

 

 

 

 

Probably most of the youth from Hopkins County "passed by it," but I went to the Arts and Crafts Show, specifically to see what the butter sculpture was this year.....well, I certainly wasn't disappointed....it was a life-size sculpture of two football players, head to head, and a closer inspection found that it was Northeast Texas native, Earl Campbell, as he played football at the University of Texas......and the enitre scene was sculpted from butter! Quite an accomplishment, but each year the butter sculpture is something to behold!

 

 

This Year's Butter Sculpture.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, while I was in the Arts and Crafts show, it was only natural that I'd want to "take in" the photography class winners, as their pictures were on display....some truly great photographs from around the state....some that I particularly liked the composition, focus, and originality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, it was on to the Texas Agriculture Food and Fiber Building, where all of the agriculture products of the state are on display, and you can sample new foods, attend cooking demonstrations, and purchase Texas made products. Our own Southwest Dairy Museum had their display in the center of the building and was giving away free Cheese Quesadillos. They had three or four people working the booth and couldn't keep up with the line! As we here in Hopkins County know, folks like cheese!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Products from Texas made honey, to beef, to cotton, to wool and mohair were highlighted in the building and those who are not familiar with agriculture were learning all about the products made from the raw farm production.

 

 

 

One of the newest agricultural enterprises in the state is the Texas Wine Industry, and they had their own large display, complete with a Wine Tasting area and an outlet to purchase Texas Wines.

 

 

 

 

 

Well, by this time it was time to try some of the "much talked about" State Fair of Texas food. From cotton candy, to turkey legs, to chocolate dipped grapes and strawberries, to salt water taffy, and everything in between, the State Fair of Texas offers it all. After hearing about the Deep Fried Beer and the Deep Fried Margarita, I had to try them, just to see if they "lived up" to all the publicity. Well, personally I wasn't impressed!.......the margarita was better than the beer, but after being disappointed, I went to the booth down the way and ordered my foot-long Fletcher's Corny Dog, swathered it with mustard, and enjoyed it better than any of the other food! It's just a State Fair Tradition, that's hard to beat!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next stop was the Automobile Show, with an array of the new vehicles that are available, but since I had traded a couple of months back, they really didn't appeal to me, as they once would have. And, my feet were already hurting!

 

 

I went by the salt water taffy booth and got me a box for the road, waved to kids that were headed to the midway....and decided it was time to go home! Somehow your perspective of the State Fair changes, as the years "click away." It's a great day, full of shows, entertainment, displays, and a great place to expand your creative mind...but, then the trip home, eating salt water taffy, listening to the radio, and in the comfort of your own automobile, has its own rewards!

 

 

 

Enjoy the State Fair of Texas,
Thru October 17th!!!

 

 

And, this Vocational Agriculture Teacher from Miller Grove, felt about like I did....and was
ready to go home from the State Fair of Texas!!!

 

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