Youth Fair Preparing For 2008 Run
WCYF opens gates Friday with events planned all week
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

Adding ribs to the pit, El Campo resident Dan Stancliff gets another entry for this year's Wharton County Youth Fair Cook-off started Saturday morning. Colder temperatures and rain didn't bother Stancliff, who said he's seen worse cook-off weather in the past. For more on the cook-off and tractor pull last weekend, please see Page 3-A. L-N Photo by Barry Halvorson

Another outstanding Wharton County Youth Fair & Exposition is set to launch this weekend in Crescent after a record-setting number of entrants kicked things off at last weekend's barbecue cook-off.

The fair runs from May 4 to 10, featuring livestock exhibits, a carnival, live music, theme days for special guests, pageants, food and fun events for the entire family. All funds generated benefit the county's youth.

Shawn Amestoy, rodeo chairman, said the Wharton County Junior College's National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association rodeo kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 2 and 3.

On Saturday, May 3, the WCJC team will host its second annual crawfish boil from 2-6 p.m., with plates available for $15. Music will be provided by Matt Thigpen, and all proceeds benefit the fair's Improvement Fund.

Contributed Photo Pork-A-Lounger Tyler Collins of Hillje kicks back with he and his sister's pigs - Princess and Bacon - in the waning days before the Wharton County Youth Fair roars into action. This is Tyler's first year to raise a pig for the fair and he will be showing it Monday, May 5, when swine are judged.

Once gates open Sunday, May 4, a dazzling array of events and themed days await fairgoers.

The opening event of "Fair Week" will be a Cowboy Church service at 10:30 a.m. in Crescent Hall.

The Creative Arts show, as always, features a large number of exhibits available for viewing starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 4. Some 1,329 exhibitors will present 5,944 articles. Going head-to-head for high-point totals are 14 junior, nine senior and two adult competitors.

Also on Sunday all three fair pageants take place: Little Mr. and Little Miss, Junior Miss and Fair Queen. Those events begin at 1, 3:30 and 7 p.m., respectively, at Crescent Hall. Other events that day include Polka Fest from 1-6 p.m., the Wee Folks Pet Show from 1 to 2:30 p.m., and live music will resonate all day, every day at the beer garden.

The poultry show starts at 2 p.m. in the Ammann Barn, while Johnson Arena will be busy with the Community Roping Club's Youth Rodeo at 2:30 p.m. and at 6 p.m., the Chute and Barrel Rodeo.

Nothing But Fun

• Monday, May 5, gates open at 8 a.m. and the rabbit show starts at 9 a.m., followed by the horse show at 10 a.m. and the 4 p.m. swine show. Family Fun Night starts at 7 p.m. in Johnson Arena, with chicken and pig chases for the little ones, as well as a wild cow saddling contest for the big guys and gals.

• Market goat showing begins the day at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, followed by the steer show at 6 p.m. and at 7 p.m., the Rockin' W Ranch Rodeo. A chicken chase will be held sometime during the ranch rodeo. Rudy and Alys will entertain from 8 p.m. to midnight at the beer garden.

• Wednesday, May 7 is the always well attended Preschool and Special Students Day, with special events and prices for those attendees. Wednesday is also opening day for the Mighty Thomas Carnival. The beef merit heifer show starts at 11 a.m., followed at 2 p.m. by the pen-of-three heifer show, and the lamb show at 6 p.m. Up-and-coming Professional Bull Riders, Inc. riders and bulls should bring loads of excitement to the Bull Blowout, which starts Wednesday and continues the next night, starting both nights at 7 p.m. Steel Country will perform starting at 8 p.m. at the beer garden.

• Senior citizens will be the guests of honor on Thursday, May 8, with meals, music and other fun events designed especially for their entertainment. Cattle of several sorts will show that day, including the open dairy/dairy merit show at 10 a.m. and at 1 p.m., the junior breeding beef show. An event, which debuted last year, the Bucket Calf Show, returns. Some120 youngsters from kindergarten through second grade will show the orphaned or rejected baby calf they've trained and raised. That show begins after the junior breeding beef show ends, and is followed by the Tug of War in Ammann Barn, which begins at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday is also "Are You Tough Enough To Wear Pink?" night, a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness. Adding to Thursday's packed schedule is the 26th annual Agricultural Appreciation Banquet held at 6 p.m. at Crescent Hall, during which Agricultural Person of the Year, Rice Farmer of the Year, Row Crop Farmer of the Year and Cattleman of the Year are named and honored.

• Friday, May 9 starts off with the Academic Rodeo from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by livestock judging from 1:30 p.m. on at Johnson Arena. The Awards Banquet, which honors exhibitors for their hard work and dedication, takes place at 6 p.m. Friday.

• After an 11 a.m. buyers' buffet on Saturday, May 10, the Sale of Excellence begins at noon, immediately followed by a freezer sale and buyer's meal. These sales generate funds young exhibitors use to further their educations and continue their agricultural projects.

Pure Entertainment

Musical entertainment is always part of the WCYF and this year is no exception.

A Polka Fest is planned for Sunday, May 4 featuring several bands, and various entertainers perform at the beer garden throughout Fair Week.

The Emotions will perform Thursday in Johnson Arena, followed by Wright Remedy with Aces Over Eights on Friday night.

The original plans for Saturday's Tejano Night changed dramatically when headliner Emilio nearly died in a bus crash in Houston, but now Ambixion, Reflejo and D.J. Lazzer will take the stage Saturday night in the Johnson Arena.

The Mighty Thomas Carnival will be back on the midway for its 20th straight year. Unlimited ride vouchers are available at local businesses for $15 each.

Tickets for the WCYF have remained the same as last year, and the year before. Season passes are $20, adult day tickets $7, children 6 to 12 years are $3 each and children 5 years and younger admitted free.

Tickets are good for entrance to any of the youth fair shows, rodeos and entertainment. Separate tickets must be purchased for carnival rides.