Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

SWAR Fair underway in Hope

It's time to lock and load in for the 59th Annual Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo.

The event kicked off Tuesday with the annual parade and fair queen contests.

There will be plenty for everyone to do again this year, with Razorback Amusements providing state fair quality spectacular rides, and the Sam Andrews Rodeo Co. of Bagwell, Texas bringing National Final Rodeo caliber livestock.

Don Fuller, district secretary, said the rodeo this year will feature twice as many cowboys its had in the last two or three years.

Fuller said 49 cowboys have already signed up for the calf roping event, with about 48 entered in the bareback and saddle bronc events. These figures, he added, could rise as the wranglers are vying for points toward the NFR in Las Vegas at the end of the year. The NFR is the Super Bowl of rodeos.

Mark Swingler, of Austin, Texas, will be the featured rodeo clown this year. He brings in an entirely new act, guaranteed to keep fans laughing and on the edge of their seats.

Andrews, Fuller said, had 11 bulls and six horses in the NFR in 2002, with one of his bulls winning the go-round. This means the bull made Andrews and the cowboy who rode it more money and recognition in the sport.

Additionally, the rodeo is a PRCA sanctioned Dodge Rodeo, with Fikes Truck Line sponsoring the bull riding event with about $5,000 in the pot for the cowboys, along with the points. Overall, the rodeo is being sponsored by York Gary of Nashville.

Fuller said the cowboys are coming from Florida to Canada and from California to North Carolina, and pretty much everywhere in between.

Armband night is Thursday this year. Fuller said fair goers can purchase their armbands in advance for $13, or $14 at the gate. This allows them to ride all the rides from 2-10 p.m. at no extra cost. Those who buy armbands early get on the grounds free. Armbands may be purchased at Double M Western Wear, First National Bank, Harvest Food and Brookshire's.

Those who want to purchase rodeo tickets early can do so. These tickets will be $8 at the gate and $4 in advance. Those who buy rodeo tickets in advance can get in the gate for $1.

Featured entertainment for the fair will be Northern Style Mexican Music, sponsored by Amigo Juan's. This band will play two shows Saturday night, one at 6:30 and the other at 9:30. The other band will be the Nighthawk Family Band, playing Friday and Saturday, two shows each night at 6:30 and 9:30.

One of the new events at the fair this year will be white tigers on display. Fuller said a company is bringing in 10 tigers, including two white ones. Patrons can pay to hold and pet the white tigers, along with having their photo taken with them. The tigers have been bred and raised in captivity and are tame. The white ones are still cubs.

Overall there will be 28 rides, with 11 being kiddie rides, with about 50 games along the midway. This should keep even the most rabid fair fan busy.

All livestock will be judged Thursday and Friday, with rabbits being the final animals judged on Saturday morning.

The Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo had the largest potted plant display in the state last year, and expects to do at least as well this year. There were 400 entries in 2002.

Fuller said there were 2,600 entries in arts and crafts last year, along with 1,500 entries in food preservation. He anticipates a similar number of entries again this year.