East Texas State Fair showcases local FFA students

It’s that time of year again folks – the East Texas State Fair opens Friday in Tyler and several local students will be in the spotlight with their livestock projects.

Members of both the Rusk and Jacksonville FFA clubs and other local students are on the rosters to show their bovine during the 2018 fair. Most are returning to the fair spotlight to show their current livestock projects of exotic beef breeds.

RHS FFA member Macy Woodruff is showing a Charolais heifer, one of many bovine projects she’s shown over the years.

“I started showing when I was 8 years old in 4-H,” Woodruff said. “I’ve never shown anything but cows, and I like (the beef breeds) better, but I’ve learned a lot from all my projects – especially the differences between the beef and dairy breeds.”

Woodruff has shown cattle in other shows, including the Houston and Fort Worth livestock shows.

“I didn’t show at the fair last year, so I wanted to make sure to do it this year,” she said. “My family has gone to the fair since I was little, so it’s a tradition.”

JISD senior Brooklyn Hooker said, while she doesn’t remember attending the fair as a visitor, she’s been a part of the event’s livestock show on several occasions.

“My favorite part of the fair is how it brings us together as a team,” said. “We do it all, as a team.”

She’s showed chickens, rabbits and an ag-mech project in years past, and this year Hooker is showing a registered Red Angus heifer.

“It’s definitely worth it,” she said of working with and showing FFA projects in general. “You learn a lot of life lessons and get so much more out of it than what you think you do.”

RISD senior and Rusk FFA President Michael Sanchez and his twin sisters, RHS juniors Brianna and Anna, have made showing at the fair a family affair. All three are showing cows this year. Michael is presenting his Polled Hereford steer.

“I’ve showed just about everything there is, in all kinds of events – not just the fair,” Michael said with a laugh. “Our parents have ag backgrounds and I remember them taking us to the Fair when we were younger. It’s kind of a tradition for us.”

Anna Sanchez, who’s showing a Simmental heifer at the fair this year, said she chose the breed after much research.

“I had been looking at Charlaine, and it was pretty close, but I just fell in love with the Simmental,” she said. “She’s a calm breed, just laid back.”

Anna said she always enjoyed the fair but being a part of the fair’s attractions was an eye-opener.

“Last year was my first year showing at the fair,” she said. “That was my first major show, too, and it really opened my eyes to what it’s all about.”

Brianna Sanchez is showing at the fair for the first time this year with her Hereford heifer.

“I didn’t have my heifer yet last year,” she said. “But I saw how my brother and sister did and saw what a great experience they had.”

Brianna said while she’s showed a variety of other animals in other shows in the past, her current project is always her favorite. She said she chose the Hereford breed because that’s what her great-grandparents raise in Oklahoma.

“You really get attached to your projects,” she admitted with a smile. “Sometimes you get way too attached to sell – she’s like my little kid almost.”

JHS senior Clay Partin agreed.

“It does make it harder to sell, but you can’t help but get attached to them,” Partin said.

Partin is showing a registered Simbrah heifer this year and said while he visited the fair in the past, he’d never actually taken in any of the livestock exhibits as a fair-goer.

“We’d come to the fair and ride the rides and all that,” he said. “I don’t remember ever going into the shows then. I’d tell anyone now, though, they need to check out those features, too. They’d miss out on a good opportunity – it’s really like nothing else. You really get a sense of cooperation – the big kids are helping the little kids. We may not really know everyone there, but you can just feel that we’re all in this, working together to educate visitors and have a good show.”

This is the third year JISD FFA member Levi Locke will show at the fair. He’s showing a registered Simmental heifer this year. The JHS senior said he remembers visiting the livestock exhibits as a fair-goer.

“We went through the barns when I was younger to see the animals,” he said. “And I always thought I’d like to do that, too. It really helps to educate people about the importance of our agriculture industry. There are people, even in Texas today, that just don’t grasp how big this industry really is. It’s not just about sows, cows and plows. There is a role for everyone in ag.”

Red Angus, Simbrah and Polled Hereford breeds will show at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21. Charolais and Simmental breeds will show at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22

The East Texas State Fair kicks off Friday, Sept. 21 and lasts through Sunday, Sept. 30, at the Harvey Hall Convention Center, 2112 W. Front St., Tyler.

The fair will be open 2-11 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends. Carnival hours are 4-11 p.m. on weekdays, noon to 11 p.m. on weekends and noon to 10 p.m. on the last Sunday of the fair.

Admission is $10, adults; $6, children ages 6 to 12. Children ages 5 and under get in free when accompanied by an adult ticket buyer. VIP parking provided by the Tyler Lions Club for $3. Proceeds benefit the club. Tickets are available now at etstatefair.com and at the gate.