Shelby Winn of Montgomery County 4-H maintains control of her steer while waiting to be judged on Sunday morning during the Battle of the Cattle Race Day Classic Steer Show held at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds. Livestock competitions continue in two weeks during the 127th Gillespie County Fair Aug. 20-23. Additional coverage of this weekend’s stock shows, including meat goat and lamb futurities, can be found on pages D1 and D6 of this week's newspaper. — Standard-Radio Post/Matt Ward
Four days of events and activities for the entire family are being planned as part of the 127th Gillespie County Fair Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 20-23.
Sponsored by the Gillespie County Fair and Festivals Association, the 127th Gillespie County Fair will include two days of live pari-mutuel horse racing, a carnival and midway, displays of agricultural and home products, a parade, a queen’s contest, antique machinery displays, musical entertainment, mutton busting, domino tournament and livestock shows.
And with the 127th celebration just around the corner, patrons are reminded that they can purchase tickets online in advance at www.gillespiefair.com.
Online tickets are priced the same as those sold at the gate, and can be purchased using credit or debit cards.
The 127th Gillespie County Fair opens on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 5 p.m. with free admission to the Gillespie County Fair Grounds.
There is a charge for the carnival and midway, which also opens Thursday and continues throughout the weekend.
Starting at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday at the fair grounds’ outdoor pavilion will be the Country Showdown sponsored by “The Deuce,” KNAF-FM 105.7.
Earlier on Thursday, entries will be taken in the agriculture and home skills departments from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Judging gets underway at 6:30 p.m.
The Gillespie County Fair Parade will make its way along Main Street, Friday morning, Aug. 21, starting at 10 a.m.
After the parade, events shift back to the fair grounds site where the gates open at 1 p.m.
A domino tournament will start at 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21, at the fair grounds. Registration opens at 2 p.m. and there is no charge to participate.
The 2016 Gillespie County Fair Queen and her court will be crowned during ceremonies planned Friday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m.
Catalog dedications will also be made that night. The 127th Gillespie County Fair is dedicated to honorary lifetime directors Daniel (Louie) Jacoby, Greg Knopp and the late Jerry Durst.
A concert and dance, featuring the music of Jake Hooker and the Outsiders will take place Friday, Aug. 21, from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on the outdoor dance pavilion.
The gates and vendors open at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Live pari-mutuel horse racing will be offered Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22-23, with post time at 1 p.m., both days.
Highlighting the entertainment Saturday night, Aug. 22, from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. will be Johnny Rodriguez followed by Wade Bowen.
Mutton busting will be offered at 6 p.m. on Friday and 30 minutes after the last race horse race on Saturday.
The 2015 racing season at the Class III facility at the fair grounds concludes on Sunday.
Highlighting the racing program on the final day of the season will be the running of the 2015 Gillespie County Fair Futurity.
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