The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 40, No. 21, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 20, 1986 Page: 4 of 12
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By KENNETH ROBERTS
Managing Editor
, (Editor's Note: For several
weeks, the Rio Grande Herald has
been working on this article about
the history and present trends of
the Starr County Fair. The pre
ssure of time and space has
prevented the Herald from printing
this story the last two weeks
However, we think it will still be of
strong interest to readers.)
The Starr County Fair has had
Fair Has Interesting History,
In Strongest Period Now
Till KSIIAV. MARCH 20, IWi
PA(,K ;
an interesting and colorful 21-year
history, but the general consensus
seems to be that the Fair is
currently experiencing its finest
days, with high expectations for
even better times ahead.
Fair Association President Dr.
Roberto S. Margo said, before this
year's fair, that greater en-
thusiasm is evident "from all over
the county. He says the construe
tion of the new facilities east of
U.S. 83 have sparked much en-
thusiasm. Margo added that citi-
Dr. Jan McClure
Peel
OPTOMETRIST
CONSULTATION
DISPENSING
TUESDAY FRIDAY
SATURDAY
12:30-5:30 9:00-5:00
9:00 12:00
io*i.Ti. 849-2048
900 E. Bra o St
2nd Floor
CARD OF THANKS
We wish to express our sincerest gratitude to all our
friends and relatives who shared our sorrow during
the loss of our beloved husband and father.
FRANCISCO VILLARREAL SR.
We wish to thank all those thoughtful friends who
provided us food and uplifted us with their prayers
during this sorrowful time.
Angelita Z. Villarreal and Family
ATTENTION
STARR COUNTY PROPERTY OWNERS!
The Starr County industrial Foundation
is compiling a list of property owners that have hunting
leases available. If interested, please call 487-2709 or
write to:
STARR COUNTY INDUSTRIAL FOUNDATION
P.O. Box 502
Rio Grande City, Texas 78582
CARD OF THANKS
We wish to express our sincerest gratitude to
all our friends and relatives who shared our
sorrow during the loss of our beloved
daughter and sister
Socorro Oralia Aguillon
We especially want to thank those who sent
floral arrangements, money & cards, and
dedicated Mass to our beloved one.
Family of Aguillon & Olivarez
19
WALLET SIZE
COLOR PHOTOS
WE USE
KODAK PAPER
99°
No limit on this offer
AT
-1
Winn's
109 Starr Piaza
Fri & Sat March 28 & 29
HAVE YOUR EASTER PICTURES TAKEN NOW
Ask about our FREE
8x10 offer
inc.
Group charge
99£ per person
per 19 wallets
Kodak paper For a Good Look at the Times of
Your Life
zens attending the fair now will
find the pace more relaxed, as the
bulk of the events are spread out
over two days now.
James Peterson, a member of
the Fair Association Board of
Directors and active with the Starr
County 4-H Adult Leaders, said, "
The fair has been improving ever
since the Fair Association was
formed (in November 1983)...Our
facilities, for a county fair, are as
good as any in the state of Texas.
And they're going to get better.
We're going to expand as funds
become available."
Peterson added. "We've always
needed the time to give the kids the
recognition they deserve. We can
have our events scheduled in an
orderly fashion," with the fair
being spread out over two days,
rather than one.
The recently-completed fair was
the 21st official fair in Starr
County's history.
Mrs. Tissa Peterson, active in
the fair for many years, recalled,
"It started out as one tent behind
West Grammar School. The 4-H'ers
brought their animal projects,
showed them, and that was it."
Later, she noted, "the FFA and
FHA became involved, entering
their projects
Local attorney Frank Randall
Nye, Jr., said that Eldred Jordan
was the Extension Agent at the
time the first fair was helri. on the
south end of Britton A v-enue. In the
first year, he noted, 'All they had
were lambs, and four steers."
By the second year, Nye said, the
location was changed to the West
Grammar school grounds. Buford
Dobie had become county agent by
that time Nye added, "Additional
people came to help At that time,
we had a bake sale, and they had
an art contest. It was difficult to
get buyers for the lambs, and Mr.
Manuel Guillen and Mr
(Reynaldo) Alaniz recruited many
out-of-town buyers."
Both Nye and Tissa Peterson
said that the clothing competition
was added about four or five years
after the first fair. Mrs Peterson
noted that other events like the
parade, science fair, art exhibits,
and industrial arts were added in
the early years.
She added, "At first, it was just
the animals. Sewing and cooking
events have been pretty much
standard since the early years."
She said that she believes the
Queen's C.ontest has been in
existence for about a decade
( Yen Start
Mrs. Peterson said. "The Fair
Association was founded three
years ago. We needed it to be
something for the whole county,
it's patterned after the Mercedes
Fair, and run by a non-profit
organization We hope to add more
events that the community as a
whole can participate in The idea
of forming the Fair Assocation was
to make the fair bigger and
better."
The board of directors of the Fair
Association is comprised of: Dr
Roberto S. Margo, president; Roy
tu, vice-president; Manuel
Guillen, treasurer; and Gustavo
Perez, treasurer. The three high
school principals are also on the
board, as is James Peterson, who
represents the 4-H Adult Leaders
Nye said that the persons most
actively involved with the fair in
the early years included. Mr and
Mrs. Manuel Guillen, Dr and Mrs
M.J. Rodriguez, Johnny and Helen
Shuford, Mr. and Mrs. Roberto C.
Pena, Mr and Mrs Lazaro
Rodriguez. Mrs. Fela Ireland, and
Mr Rodolfo Resendez.
Information provided the Herald
by Mrs Peterson indicates that Hie
following persons served as parade
marshals in these years:
1971, local clergy; 1972, John
Connelly; 1973, Connie Nye; 1974,
Rey Alaniz; 1975, Mario Guillen;
1976, Ida Perez; 1977, Esteban
Garcia; Mr. and Mrs. Lazaro
Rodriguez; 1979, Fela Ireland;
1980, Randall Nye; 1981, Rodolfo
Resendez; 1982, Rolando and Maria
Ramirez (of San Isidro); 1983, Mr.
and Mrs. Hector Doria; 1984, Mr.
and Mrs. Fidencio Guerra; 1985,
High School Principals Ruben
Saenz, Humberto Vasquez (Roma),
and Carlos Lopez (San Isidro),
1986, Dr. and Mrs. Roberto S.
Margo.
Some fair themes from recent
years include: 1985, Down on the
Rio Grande; 1984, Youth at its
Best; 1982, Rodeo- Starr County
Style; 1981, Urban Cowboy-Country
Comes to Town; 1980, How The
West Was Won; 1978, Starr County
Resources for Progress; 1977, A
New Spirit, A New Frontier; and
1976, Westward Ho! The Wagons.
James Peterson recalled that,
even many years before 1965, some
big shows were held on the Old
Fairgrounds Road. He added,"I
can recall them way back as a kid;
it died out and then was revived."
A longtime native of the area,
who preferred not to be identified,
recalled, "They used to have a
carnival, with Ferris wheels and
merry go-rounds. They had camps
where you threw darts and
roulette."
He added, "They had cattle;
some would bring in the modern
breeds (then) like Longhorn cattle,
Brahma, and Hereford. Breeds like
Santa Gertrudis and Shorthorn
didn't exist There were no rabbits;
there were some black hogs. They
also brought some chickens of no
particular breeds."
The man. who was quite active
with these early shows, added,
"They had sewing and homemak-
ing; dresses, quilts, cakes, pud-
dings. and pies "
He recalled that most of these
shows occurred in September after
the harvesting of crops had taken
place. He indicated that these
shows were an annual occurrence
for 10 to 15 years until the late
1940's.
After that, he said, "We had a
PTA carnival, where we had events
like a hayride or cakewalk, and a
tractor pull."
Ncir hucilitir*
Of current times, Dr Margo
said, "This is our first fair with
new facilities. We're going through
some bumpy roads, but we're
smoothing them out as we go . It's
not going to be as congestesd as in
the past. It's going to be a more
relaxed pace."
The site for the new facilities was
obtained through a 50-year lease
that was obtained from the Rio
Grande City CISD late in 1984.
About five months ago. Dr. Margo
told The Rio Grande Herald that
total construction costs would
probably come to approximately
$80,000
Milton Menking, who was co-
chairman of the recent parade,
said, "We're attempting to attract
more Winter Texans to our
fair ...This is a very positive thing
that's good for all of us here "
Margo said the paved road and
the fence, donated by Starr Pro-
duce, "really aided the appear-
ance." James Peterson said that
three of the County
Commissioners- "Chema"
Alvarez, Floy Garza, and Reynaldo
Alaniz - deserve much praise for
helping move dirt and level out the
grounds
Margo said that any person
donating $100 or more for the
building has had or will have their
names engraved in a plaque that
will be prominently displayed in
the exhibition hall.
James Peterson said, "We had
good shows all these years; we just
didn't have the facilities. We have
more community involvement;
that's going to make our show
better."
He said, prior to the recent fair,
that the longer time period would
"give the kids a chance to show the
animals at their best. It's going to
give everybody a chance to get
everything down correctly. We're
not pressed for time like in the
past."
Peterson added, "It looks like
this (1986) will be our best show
ever. The quality of animals has
been improving each year. We're
going to have better quality
animals that the kids are show-
ing."
He said. "The kids are getting
the facilities they deserve to show
their animals. We're going to
continue to expand them as the
need arises. There's been more of
an interest by local ranchers and
community leaders, once they've
seen what we've done."
Peterson said, "Just about every
county has county showgrounds,
except the sparsely populated
counties. Ours will compare with
any in the state. As moneys
become available, we'll try to
make them bigger and better."
He noted, "Our fair is growing so
fast, we need more space under
roof. Our first priority will be to
roof the bleachers, and expand the
exhibit hall."
Peterson said, "The businessmen
are who helped us get this started
We (4-H) had a building fund for
many years; we've been shooting
for this many years. It was the
support of the businessmen that
made this a reality."
On Thursday, Feb. 27, Peterson
said. "Already, we've got twice as
many entries for the parade than
ever before." Milton Menking in-
dicated, after the parade, that
there were over 100 entries in that
event. Peterson added that "with a
little more promotion," Winter
Texans could play a prominent role
in the fair in future years.
Cameron ('oiinly
//«'//)«
Peterson indicated that the Ca
meron County Fair directors "tolc
us what it took to start their fair
They came up and advised us," or
how to utilize a Fair Association te
make the fair a more popular ant
noteworthy event.
Peterson said that there were
three classes, and 12 entries, ot
breeding heifers at this year's fair
There were 66 rabbits in three
classes, 22 steers of three classes
38 lambs in three classes, and If
hogs in two weight divisions.
Peterson said there were 5(
pigeons exhibited this year of three
breeds, and five classes. There
were also nine capons that were
butchered on the gretunds, "to be
judged on carcass quality," in the
second year of competition in that
class.
Peterson said, "The heifer
division has been growing. It's very
expensive to grow a big animal.
Rabbits and pigeons are the
divisions that are growing most
rapidly because they are easier
and cheaper to take care of."
Peterson said that the require
ments of House Bill 72 has cut
down participation in the show, but
added, "the schools have done their
best to help the kids know that they
need to have passing grades."
Peterson added, "We need more
volunteer leaders to sponsor dif-
ferent categories of our show.
We've gotten the best response
from our community this year
Leadership is what it's going to
take."
The Starr County Fair has had a
storied and interesting history, but
its leaders and organizers are
working hard to guarantee that the
fair's finest days lie ahead. These
individuals all emphasize that
public support and enthusiasm is
what gives the fair its vitality.
Camargo To Hold
Tourism Day
Rio Grande City Chamber of
Commerce representatives met
Monday night with the Chamber of
Commerce, from Camargo,
Tamaulipas to discuss the upcom-
ing "Dia de Comercio y Turismo"
(Merchant and Tourism Day)
which will be held this Saturday.
This is the first time that
Camargo will hold such an event,
and everyone says they're looking
forward to Saturday's events. Ac-
cording to Juan de Dios Cuellar,
President of Camargo's Chamber
of Commerce, Saturday's events
will start with an "abrazo" (an
embrace) between Camargo and
Starr County officials at 9am
Following the "abrazo", officials
will return back to Camargo's
Municipal Palace to view the first
annual parade which will kick off
the festivities.
Presidente Municipal, Jose
Lizandro Hinojosa, will then inau-
gurate the day as "Dia de
Comercio y Turismo" followed by
presentations from Juan de Dios
Cuellar. President of Camargo's
Chamber of Commerce; Leonel
Lopez, Rio Chamber of Commerce
president; and R.C Salinas, local
historian
Immediately following the ceie-
monies, charros and mariache
bands will parade the municipality
plaza and a band from Valle
Hermoso, Tamaulipas. will
perform throughout the day
Other events include the corona-
tion of a tourist queen, and
Take care when you're boating:
Power lines coula be there
Anytime you're launching your boat or transporting it over land,
. check carefully to make sure you avoid all electrical facilities.
Metal sailboat masts, outriggers, power boat antennas and other
high-rising equipment become deadly conductors of electricity the
moment they come in contact with overhead lines Careless kindling
of a boat near a power line can endanger your life — and the lives
of everyone else nearby.
Play it safe, too, when you re handling chores around the house.
• Don't trim or fell trees near power lines. This is work best left to experts
• Keep ladders and other tall devices away from overhead lines
• Don't install an outside antenna unless you have the proper knowledge
and equipment; have a qualified technician handle the |ob
And remember that fallen power lines are extremely dangerous.
If you see a downed line, call Central Power and Light Company,
then stay away from the line and keep others away.
:fa)L
fton the lint
peop/a Hon the line for you
CENTRAL POnVf R AND LIGHT COMPANY
m&r.ii]
1Q85.CPI.
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I
folkloric dancers from nearby
schools. There will be plenty of
concession stands with foods,
drinks. Mexican souvenirs, etc.,
and local merchants will offer their
items for sale at discount prices.
Camargo residents have been
preparing for this event almost a
month All Starr County residents
are encouraged to attend Leonel
Lopez, Rio Chamber president,
said, "We want to make this an
annual event Tourism is an
important industry to our area and
we must work together with our
sister city (Camargo) to promote
and develop this industry ."
Stores
Suspended
For Liquor
Sides
Almost 40 stores in the Rio
Grande City, Hebbronville and
Falfurrias areas have been sus
pended from selling alcoholic bev
erages due to being implicated last
month in selling alcoholic bever
ages to minors
A spokesman for the Texas
Alcoholic Beverage Commission in
McAllen said that the determining
investigation was carried out in
February, with the suspensions
beginning last week
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 40, No. 21, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 20, 1986, newspaper, March 20, 1986; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195020/m1/4/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.