WCYF action continues this week with varied events
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree Wild & Wooly Times The under 50 pound competitors during Monday's Family Fun Night at the Wharton County Youth Fair showed their mettle going for eight seconds on unshorn sheep during the Muttin' Bustin" competiton. "Cade," shown above, was one of the riders able to hang tough. Tonight the big boys enter the shoots. The annual Bull Blowout starts at 7 p.m. tonight and continues through Thursday.

The Wharton County Youth Fair & Exposition is up and running at the fairgrounds in Crescent, heading towards a couple of major events later this week.

On Thursday, a big crowd is expected for 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.

And around lunchtime Saturday, the Sale of Excellence will raise thousands for the futures of fair participants.

The fair runs through May 10 this year, and features livestock exhibits, a carnival, live music, theme days for special guests, food and fun events for the entire family. All funds generated benefit the county's youth.

Today 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 which will offer thrills and fun through Saturday.

The beef merit heifer show starts at 11 a.m. today 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 today and continues the next night, starting both nights at 7 p.m., with 35 riders competing each night. Steel Country will perform starting at 8 p.m. at the Beer Garden.

Senior citizens will be the guests of honor 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, is the Bucket Calf Show, in which 120 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 "Tough Enough To Wear Pink?" night, a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness that benefits the Wharton County chapter of the American Cancer Society.

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, and is usually attended by hundreds of exhibitors who leave with various awards.

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

Even More Fun

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

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 is back on the midway for its 20th straight year. Unlimited ride vouchers are available at local businesses for $15 each.

Season passes are $20, adult day tickets $7, children 6 to 12 years are $3 each and children 5 years and younger are 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.

For a full listing off all the WCYF events, visit www.whartoncountyyouthfair. org/events. aspx.