HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Even warm October temperatures weren’t enough to keep throngs of people away from the Waller County Fair and Rodeo.
But there’s much more that goes into the annual exposition, and that’s a good thing. The carnival, which is always a hit, was active throughout its run at the nine-day fair and rodeo, but the real focus has always been the youth and the exhibits they show.
“It was another really good fair,” said Matt Hyatt, president of the Waller County Fair Association. “We had our second-largest auction in our history, and that means a great deal to us because it shows how much people are willing to give back to the kids.”
This year’s event featured the inaugural Waller County Welding Competition, a Texas High School Welding Series event. It was a true showcase of young people displaying their talents.
“It was spectacular,” Hyatt said. “It’s nice to have another event that’s targeted toward our young people. We also had another successful Barnyard Buddies, which is always a big day for us.”
It was one of many, with several nights of busy action at the rodeo arena. The tie-down roping and team roping eliminator competitions featured the best in the game each night, then the PRCA rodeo featured big money paid out to a field that made up a record number of entrants.
“We were really pleased with this year’s rodeo, the number of contestants that helped make our rodeo great,” said Clint Sciba, chairman of the WFCA’s rodeo committee. “Pete Carr and his crew did an incredible job again in producing our rodeo. It’s always great to work with them.”
The concert lineup was highlighted by award-winning artists like Gene Watson, Jason Boland and the Stragglers and Restless Heart.
“We really can’t do any of this without our volunteers, sponsors and buyers who give so much to our fair and rodeo,” Hyatt said. “We’re already gearing up for next year, which will be our 75th anniversary.”