Thursday, August 30-Sunday, September 2 
Tried and true history with that great mix of cultures and tradition brings that recipe for success to the Fayette County Fair in La Grange year after year. And what better way to celebrate the close of summer than at a good old fashioned fair. Delve into those precious memories of venues, music, and events for all ages–always held Labor Day weekend and this year beginning Thursday, August 30 and ending Sunday, September 2. It’s a step back into time dazzling the young and charming the old that you just don’t want to miss all for the price of one ticket with proceeds directed to scholarships for the local youth.
Tradition dictates great music for the annual Fayette County Fair and this year is no exception bringing in the likes of headliner Easton Corbin, TUB, Blue Sunset Band, Conjunto Cats, Lonely Roads Band, Czechaholics, Snake River, Dean, Bellamy Brothers, and Flatland Cavalry—all guaranteed to put a smile on your face. This True Texas Country Fair has many genuine entertaining components besides the great music including the ever popular Queen’s Pageant, activities for the kiddos, highly competitive bar-b-que cook-off, and washer pitching contest, parade, livestock shows, culinary events, creative venues, and the fun-loving carnival presented by Talley Amusements.
Year and after, kiddos and thrill seekers of all ages have enjoyed the carnival and Talley Amusements continues to provide those services in a safe, clean, and fun atmosphere. Heat, safety, and other weather elements are always a priority as each day of the fair opens at 6:00 pm and remains open until closing (Thursday through Sunday). Those very popular “all you can ride wristbands” return on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday (with no wristbands Friday—only tickets for purchase). A real bonus is to purchase a passport-to-fun coupon book for $80.00 that includes all rides, unlimited times for all nights of the fair, and covers admission to each day of the fair. The passports are limited and available through the Queen’s Contestants, World Travel, Electric Motor, La Grange Cleaners, or Reve Hair Salon.
There is a change of dates with the Junior Commercial Heifer Show and Sale this year. It will be taking place on Friday, August 24 and Saturday, August 25 at 2:00 pm. It’s a great opportunity for individuals, businesses, and groups to come out and support this endeavor. Cattle shows will take place Saturday and Sunday (September 1 and September 2). In addition, during the Fayette County Fair, junior dairy, lamb, goat, breeding doe, livestock, poultry, pigeon, hay, and horse shows will be held. Work with poultry and farm and ranch animals play a large role in the Fayette County Fair and for those interested in getting started, can get a good understanding of what is required in raising and proper upkeep of these animals in a rural environment.
A new venue added this year is an “Ag Adventure” staffed by Fayette County 4-H members and held Friday, August 31, Saturday, September 1, and Sunday, September 2 from 6 pm to 8 pm in the Leo Wick Barn. Each night the first 100 kiddos visiting will receive a “goody bag” that guides them to booths with live animals and information on beef cattle, dairy cattle, pigs, lambs, chickens, and goats as well as information on soil and water conservation. As they make the rounds, they will get their cards punched which entitle them to a chance to win prizes as they exit. This gives young adults a great opportunity to learn more about the world of agriculture as well as animals, products, and food produced.
The Agricultural Department leans toward the experience of rural life as well. The La Grange Fair Association’s early commitment began in earnest to encourage and maintain exhibitions of stock and farm products with the original purchase of 81 acres of property. This year is no exception with stiff competition in the categories of corn, grain, clover seed, field, crop, garden, fruit, honey, bee wax, and pecans expected. View a variety of award-winning crops and get a quick education on what it take to produce them.
Competition is fierce in Creative Arts as well with categories including: culinary, collectibles, educational, scrapbooks, needlepoint (embroidery, crochet, knitting, weaving, spinning, felting), culinary (cakes, pies, cookies, candy, bread), canning and preserving (vegetables, fruit, jams, jellies, pickles, sauces), fine arts (acrylic, oil, watercolor, pastels, pen & ink, pencil/crayon, computer art), crafts (fabric, décor, handmades, leather, cultural art, stain glass, holiday, personal, plastic, wood, metal, upholstery, ceramics), quilting, 4-H, machine sewing, photography, and memorables—this list is endless and illustrates the natural creativity that all ages have living in this great rural environment. Enjoy viewing these exhibits as well as the Flower and Plant House in a climate controlled setting.
If you and your kiddos would like more of that hands on experience with critters, get ready to meet some interesting ones as Noah’s Way Petting Zoo returns for another year to the Fayette County Fair and is scheduled every day. Originally developed by an agricultural science teacher of 20 years, this unique environment of animals has no barriers once inside the enclosure and all of the animals run freely with the public. The zoo includes llamas, fallow deer, wallabies, African pygmy goats, assorted exotic and domestic goats and sheep, miniature Sicilian donkeys, antelope, kangaroo, alpacas, camel, various exotic cattle, and sometimes a zebra—a true delight for all ages!
To contact a queen’s contestant to purchases tickets or to obtain more information/registration forms on the Fayette County Fair in La Grange from Thursday, August 30 through Sunday September 2, go to www.fayettecountyfair.org or call 979-968-3911. La Grange is 65 miles east of Austin, 80 miles north of Victoria, 125 miles south of Waco, and 90 miles west of Houston with zip code of 78945 for GPS users.