Another year of the West Texas Fair and Rodeo wrapped up over the weekend. The traditions stretch back to 1897—-when the first fair was held at Oscar Rose Park.
Sandra Holloway grew up with the fair and even participated in the rodeo. She says the fair is a great way to continue building memories across generations.
“I mean, the kids look forward to it. And it's just, I think the adrenaline and when you see all the little kids and then when they get older, they bring their kids and it's just, you know, just a tradition for Abilene” says Sandra.
Sandra’s husband Chris says that tradition means a lot to their family and friends.
“We were all born and raised here in Abilene. So it is somewhat of a tradition, even though we haven't been here for a while. But, our friends that we're here with tonight, we've known for about twenty five, thirty years. And so we were like, hey, let's go to the rodeo. I guess when you grew up in this town and you have experienced it, you're like, what the heck. It’s kind of a tradition,” says Holloway
It wouldn’t be a fair and rodeo without all kinds of animals. Exhibits feature everything from longhorns and miniature Herefords to pigs and rabbits. The Abilene Zoo even sets up at the fair.
Christine Brown the Zoological Education Coordinator at the Abilene Zoo says the fair provides a great form of promotion for businesses around West Texas.
“Abilene is notorious for its rodeo, and it's fair. This is something that most people in the big country look forward to every year. So it is a really great opportunity for us to reach that huge audience of people,” says Brown.
Brown says the partnership between the fair and the zoo is extremely valuable.
“We are right across the street from this facility. And so for us to be able to come over and just, you know, meet our neighbors and then hang out with them, and then we both help each other,” says Brown.
While families look forward to the fun, businesses anticipate the opportunity to reach new customers. Each year, the fair brings in local business to set up in The Capital Farm Credit Display Building.
Pardee Bees, a local honey business, has had a booth in the fair for two years now. Jen Pardee, co-owner of Pardee bees says she is grateful for the business the fair brings…
“The West Texas Fair and Rodeo brings us a ton of business, and it is extremely exciting for us just because it's something that almost seems small in a way. But when we're at the fair, it seems very big and people are very excited. So it's very encouraging for us as small business owners to receive that feedback from so many people,” says Pardee.
It’s also an opportunity for West Texas artists—professional and amateur. In the A-E-P Big Texas Country Living Hall, visitors can watch blown glass demonstrations. And home artists can enter their creations in contests from crafts and painting to photography.
The AEL Round Building houses the Creative Arts competitions. For the past five years, Rhett Spellman has helped his wife organize the prize vouchers for each of the competitors.
Spellman says each year there are more than three-thousand winners with some receiving prize money up to a-thousand dollars. For Spellman the best part is seeing the smiles on the kids faces after they realize they have won…
“If you could have seen the little girl yesterday in modern living, she came up, she said, how does this work? I said, what do you mean? She said, I won first place in my category and painted rocks. And I said, well, you won eight dollars. You collect your money. She says, eight dollars! I mean, you'd have thought it was like this huge amount to her. But for her painting a rock, she won eight dollars and she just thought that was super cool. So getting to see the smile on the faces of the kids, that's, for me, that's the best part,” says Spellman.
These days Americans have endless options for entertainment just sitting at home. And Spellman says the fair provides an important chance for people to connect and participate in community…
“We actually have a lot of people that come out and are a part a lot. We have a ton of volunteers out here because there's a lot of things that people don't see, all the setup that goes on, all the taking everything down after it's over. So it really engages the community a lot. They bring their kids out to get to have fair food, ride the rides, get to enter in stuff like this, get to see the cooking shows over here. So there's a lot of things for them to get to do,” says Spellman.
Spellman says the thing about the fair is that there’s something for everyone.
“And just come see, there's a lot out here besides just the food and the rides. There's a lot of other stuff out here. And, people come out and they see it and makes them want to get more involved. And it's a lot of fun out here,” says Spellman.
And for ACU student Jahnelle Meza this kind of fun night out has been a way to deepen her friendships…
“I think it brings a lot of people together. Because I think our lives are so busy. So if you come somewhere that is fun and just a way to relax, I think it's a good time for just bonding,” says Spellman
To some, the fair is simply a wonderful night while for many it stirs up nostalgia. Colby Swanger, a local student in Abilene, says the fair reminds him of his childhood.
“So growing up here, I remember when I was little, I wouldn't ever go on the big rides. I always wanted to, but then really it was just like more of like a bonding experience between me, my family. I met a lot of friends here too,” says Swanger.
Throughout the years, the fair has changed a little but one thing has stayed constant: memory-making for friends and families.
Organizers estimate that this year more than 120-thousand people took advantage of the opportunity to have special shared experiences at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo.