Thursday, August 29-Sunday, September 1
It’s NOT just about the music (although the likes of Josh Turner, Casey Donahew, Smoke Wagon, Texas Unlimited Band, Texas Dream, Black Cat Choir, The Telstars, Emil Sodolak & Lawrence Padilla, Trey Maresh, Lost Cause Band, and JA Productions all in one place is a really good start)—or a grand carnival, parade, queen’s pageant, remote control racing, hypnotist, clown, super competitive bar-b-que cook-off, creative arts, heifer show and sale, agriculture, exhibits, arts, crafts, country store, canning, preserving, poultry show, pigeon show, lamb show, goat show, Junior dairy, horse show, 5K run….It’s about the people, which in fact is the Fayette County Fair theme this year—“The Kid in All of Us!”
It’s the best recipe in the world—mixing the people with cultures and traditions that bring the success year after year this year (always on Labor Day weekend) and this year from Thursday, August 29 through Sunday, September 1 with the Junior Commercial Heifer Sale 1:00 pm to 5 pm on Saturday, August 24 and Senior Citizen Day Thursday August 29. And a big perk is that you have a scenic setting in beautiful La Grange with a step back in time dazzling the young and charming the old, all for the price of one ticket with proceeds directed back to scholarships for local area youth—a true win-win.
As mentioned, the best of entertainment is showcased at the Fayette County Fair beginning Thursday, August 29 (which means be ready to dance), with Texas Dream Band at the German Czech Mart Pavilion from 6:00 pm -7:00 pm, 7:30 pm – 8pm, and 9 pm – 11:30 pm. Sharing the stage with the likes of Kevin Fowler, Casey Donahue and more, this group promises heart pumping music that has made them increasingly popular.
Friday, August 30, brings Emil Sodolak/Lawrence Padilla to the Wrought Iron Stage from 4 pm – 7 pm. Both are locals that play classic country with a few new songs through a simple acoustic sound. Lost Cause follows at the Marge Rosenberg Stage from 8:30 pm – 12 am. Formed in 2013 with friends enjoying their musical abilities, this group enjoys classic country with sounds of polka and waltz and classic rock-n-roll genres. The German Czech Mart Pavilion will celebrate Smoke Wagon Band from 8 pm – 12 am Friday as well. They formed in 2011 off a random Craigslist post urging to put together a rock/country brand of music. Their sound is guaranteed to impress fans and professionals.
Besides the continued fun with shows and arts and 5K Fun Run as well as parade and remote control car racing and a fun for all carnival (while your buddies are priming the bar-b-que), Saturday promises to launch great music once again kicking off from 4 pm – 6 pm with JA Productions at the Wrought Iron Stage. Joe Collin’s presents a strong vocal presence and loads of charisma on the stage and Art Hernandez has the ability to move an audience with ingenious music and captivating style. Black Cat Choir (another great local attraction) performs from 6 pm-6:30 pm, from 9:30 pm-10:00 pm, and again from 11:30 pm-1am. This group from Round Top plays classical rock to the core with pop, blues, jazz, and country mixed in.
Casey Donahew Band hits the River View Stage at 8:00 pm Saturday to showcase many of those great songs that have topped sales charts, Texas radio charts, as well as across the country. From “Double Wide Dream”, “Let’s Not Say Goodbye Again”, “All Night Party” and so many more, Donahew promises to keep that adrenalin flowing with loads of super great hits. Get ready for great action by multi-platinum Nashville recording artist Josh Turner as he graces the River View Stage beginning at 10 pm. Turner is one of the country Music’s most recognizable hit-makers and has sold more than eight million units. Additionally he is one of the youngest members of the esteemed Grand Ole Opry.
There’s an incredible wrap up with events Sunday, September 1. Trey Maresh is showcased from 4 pm – 7 pm at the Wrought Iron Stage. Born and raised in Corpus Christi and playing guitar since he was 17, his early influence was rock and roll but family leaned him towards country. Get those dancing shoes on as The Telstars are spotlighted at the German Czech Mart Pavilion from 8:30 pm – 12 am. They are a popular Texas band that play a grand selection of golden oldies and rock and roll. Texas Unlimited Band wrap up the music portion of the Fayette County Fair Sunday from 9:00 pm – 12 am at the Marge Rosenberg Stage. TUB has become one of the most requested country and variety bands in Texas and has showcased their sound across the southwest United States.
And yes, the carnival will definitely be in place! 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).
Young adults have a great opportunity to learn more about the world of agriculture as well as animals, products, and food produced by coming to a great venue, “Ag Adventure” staffed by Fayette County 4-H members. 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 can grow it bake it, make it, or raise it, there’s probably a category to inspire all ages.
Make sure you stop in for food at drinks at the German-Czech Mart. Most of these great vendors are local non-profits with proceeds going back to scholarships. They include: Fayetteville Show Fund-selling chicken fried steak burgers, Southern Belle Diner-gorditas, quesadillas, Pizza Hut-pizza, La Grange Optimist Club-beer, La Grange Rotary Club-hamburgers, Schulenburg Lions Club-keg beer, Old Tyme Funnel Cakes-funnel cakes, Bodega Wine Market-wine and cheeses, Gloria’s Roasted Corn-corn and more, Beyer’s Shaved Ice-drinks and shaved ice, Dave’s Kitchen-sausage wraps and more, Ko’s Cookout-pulled pork sandwiches, Doc’s BBQ-ribs, tacos, brisket, Liberty Bell Ice Cream-ice cream and treats.
Parking is free at the fairgrounds on Thursday only. There is no parking at St. Mark’s and the fee for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday parking is $5.00. The Easy-Way Express will be available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and provides and easy and safe way to enjoy your fair experience. Take the air-conditioned shuttle bus from the covered sidewalk corner of Prosperity Bank at the downtown La Grange square beginning at 6:00 pm each evening and return any time until closing of the fair each night.
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 29 through Sunday September 1, 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