Fairgrounds packed with fun for all ages

Richard Carter
For the Times Record News

Founded in 1922, the Texas-Oklahoma Fair has travelled some, changed its name a few times, but has been an annual fixture at the Multi-Purpose Events Center since the Bridwell Ag Building was completed in 1995, and the Fair was the first activity to take place in the Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall when it was completed the next year.  

Patrick Johnston/Times Record News
Riders swing around on the YoYo at the Texas Oklahoma Fair Thursday night at the Multi-Purpose Event Center.

Held the third week in September each year, “It’s great weather to go to the fair,” said long time TO Fair Coordinator Joe Tom White. “There’s a cool breeze going. It’s nice. From the Ferris wheel, you can seen downtown and then some.”

The annual TO Fair runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall. The livestock events each day in Bridwell Ag Center are free to attend. See above schedule for events and their times.

Patrick Johnston/Times Record News
DeAnna McCandless hangs upside down from a rope during the Cirque Adventure's show at the Texas Oklahoma Fair Thursday night at the Multi-Purpose Event Center.

“We had very good attendance in 2016,” White said.

The new event for 2017 will be the Splash Dogs competition out of Pearland, Texas. They will be at the Fair Tuesday through Saturday. Splash Dogs is a competition to see how far a dog can jump into a pool of water after an object or chew toy. The company will bring professional dogs to compete, but area dog owners can also bring theirs to “compete” for small prizes.

White said there would be two shows Tuesday through Friday night and three on Saturday. The competition is for fun, and prizes will be given, including bragging rights.

The Fair technically starts from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday for people to drop off arts and crafts entries at the Exhibit Hall to be judged. “Anyone who wants to enter any arts and crafts, quilts, you name it.”

“It costs $2 and there’s a bunch of categories: photographs, paintings, quilts, woodworking,” he said. Judging is Monday night and the ribbons will be posted on Tuesday night.

The fairgrounds will once again be packed with fun rides for all ages, White said. “A fourth of the rides are kiddie rides, and then we have the big ones. They’re the ones you don’t want to eat a hot dog before you get on.”

All the rides at the Fair last year should once again return, plus one or two more. Evans United Shows has been providing the fair’s rides for 20 years, and has been in business since 1947. “They do some fine shows.”

White said the company just bought a new ride from the Netherlands. “It’s paid for, crated and shipped but we don’t know if it’ll get here in time or not. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

There will, like always, be lots of fun food, he said. “There’s one guy near I think Waco, and he’ll take a Snickers bar, wrap it in bacon and deep fry it right here before you.” In addition to classic carnival food including funnel cakes, there will be vendors on the fair grounds selling everything from jewelry to storm shelters.

The livestock part of the TO Fair is run by Chairman Mike Yandell. “Not even a member of the Lion’s Club, White said, he’s a volunteer.”

Every day of the fair, there will be something to watch in the Birdwell Ag Center with activities ranging from barrel racing, sheep shows to pistol shooting on horseback at balloons. “On Friday all day long, there will be dogs working cattle in the arena in the Red River Cattle Dog Trials that start at 8:30 a.m.”

Proceeds from the Founder Lions Club’s weeklong event benefit over 30 area organizations.

 

IF YOU GO:

 

What: Texas-Oklahoma Fair, presented by the Founder Lions Club
When: 6-10 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 1-10 p.m. Saturday
Where: Multi-Purpose Events Center, Fifth and Burnett
Tickets: $7 for adults; $3 for kids 12 and younger
Etc.: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are armband nights, as well as 1-5 p.m. Sept. 16 (ride as many rides as you wish for $20 a day).
Information: (940) 720-2999 or www.founderlionsclub.com
 

LIVESTOCK SCHEDULE

 

(all events are in the J.S. Bridwell Ag Center and free to attend)

 

Tuesday: MP3 Productions Official Texas/Oklahoma Fair Barrel Race, 6 p.m.
Wednesday: T.O.B.R.A. 4D Jackpot Barrel Race, 6 p.m.
Thursday: T-O Fair Team Roping Competition, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15: Red River Cattle Dog Trials, 8:30 a.m.
Sept. 16: Youth production sheep show, 7:30 a.m.; Dorper sheep show, Colton Bentley Memorial Heifer and Steer Shows, T-O Fair Goat and Lamb Showdown, 9 a.m.; T-O Fair Best Trail Horse Jackpot Competition, 10 a.m.; Texas Oklahoma Border War Competition, Cowboy Mounted Shooting (three stages), 5 p.m.
Sept. 17: Texas Oklahoma Border War Competition, Cowboy Mounted Shooting (four stages), 8 a.m.