By Michael Freeman, Managing Editor
If you recently have yearned for funnel cake, Ferris wheels or calf wrestling, then you are in luck.
The 109th edition of the West Texas Fair & Rodeo begins Friday at the Taylor County Expo Center.
This year’s fair, themed “Horns, Hides, Laughs and Rides”, will last through Sept. 13. The fair will open each day at 11 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. General admission is $6 for adults and $3 for college students.
Tickets for the rodeo will cost $12. “It’s a recreational thing,” said Ed Brokaw, professor of agriculture and environment. “Our club [Agriculture and Environmental Sciences club] is planning to get a group together togo to the rodeo.”
The first discount day will be Friday,
College Student Day, when college students will be admitted all day free with current college ID. On Monday the Fair will have Dollar Ride Night, and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., it will sponsor Cantastic Night, when students can receive free admission to the Fair for bringing six Coca-Cola cans.
The West Texas Fair & Rodeo Parade will march through downtown Abilene beginning at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
Larry Hall of Lawrence Hall car dealership will be the grand marshal of the parade as dozens of marching bands, floats, classic cars and clowns make their collective ways through the streets.
The Rodeo part of the Fair starts Tuesday and ends next Saturday. Events in Taylor County Coliseum will include tie-down roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling, bareback riding, team roping and bull riding.
Special exhibits also will be shown at the Fair.
Artists Suzanne Starr and Anita Lane will present their calligraphy work Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Modern Living Mall.
China painting demonstrations will be shown on Saturday, and the Abilene Wood Carver Club will have a woodcarving presentation Wednesday.
Livestock and food exhibits also will be set up throughout the week.
“They’ll have several different shows,” Brokaw said.
“Some top quality livestock come in here-some of the best in the country.”
