Fun on a Stick

Tri-State Fair comes to town

The Tri-State Fair and Rodeo has been a Panhandle tradition for 84 years, with fun, food, competitions and demonstrations that provide something of interest for every age group.

The midway will return to Amarillo this week. (Photos by Ralph Duke)

The event, an annual fundraiser for the nonprofit Amarillo Tri-State Exposition, awarded more than $500,000 in premiums, awards and scholarships to area youths in 2006.

It also offers opportunity for church and nonprofit groups to raise funds for their annual projects.

This year's exposition will begin Friday, Sept. 14, as exhibitors gather, the cutting horse competition begins and the midway opens.

Crabtree Amusements, the largest carnival operation in Texas, is returning for its fifth season. About 50 rides and dozens of game booths will line the midway, sponsored this year by Xcel Energy.

Fairgoers can take six canned food items to the event Friday night to benefit the High Plains Food Bank and get a ride wristband for only $20. Gate admission is half-price all night long.

The fair will kick into high gear Saturday with a parade that will begin at 10 a.m., starting at 10th Avenue and Polk Street in downtown Amarillo, with the floats, marching bands, and equestrian groups proceeding north to 3rd Avenue where it will turn east to the Civic Center parking lot.

The annual event includes a variety of agricultural competitions and displays, including Southwest Dairy's Mobile Classroom in the Planet Ag exhibit.

Livestock judging will take place in the Livestock Pavilion and the Glenn McMennamy Livestock Building, for cattle, goats, pigs and sheep.

A stock dog clinic and exhibition is scheduled for Wednesday in the Bill Cody Arena. That venue will also host the 4 D Barrel Race and the Quarter Horse show that begins on Friday.

Some of the Panhandle's best art, photography and textiles will be on display in the Rex Baxter Building.

That's also the location for cooking demonstrations and culinary contests.

Food isn't limited to demonstrations. Fair officials expect about 39 food booths to set up shop for the nine-day event.

Traditional offerings include corndogs and funnel cakes. Last year more than 15,000 pounds of turkey legs and 10,000 pounds of corn-on-the-cob were consumed during the fair.

Rodeo fans will be admitted free with their gate admission to the PRCA Rodeo in the Amarillo National Center on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The rodeo events begin at 7 p.m. each night. There's also excitement through the day as rodeo competitors participate in “slack." Thursday is “Tough Enough to Wear Pink" night at the Rodeo.

Cowboys, bull fighters, volunteers and spectator are encouraged to wear pink in recognition of efforts by the Amarillo chapter of Komen for the Cure to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

Post-rodeo entertainment will feature Joe Diffie on Friday, Sept. 21, and “Hotel California: A Salute to the Eagles" on Saturday, Sept. 22.

Other free activities included with general admission are the Ford Zone, Quick Quack Exotic Petting Zoo and the U.S. Army Interactive Exhibit. Scheduled entertainers include the “Wizard of Wood," a magician and a hypnotist.

Carnival discounts are available throughout the week. In addition to the Food Bank Night on Sept. 14, Friday, Sept. 21 will benefit the Eveline Rivers coat drive.

A ride wrist band will be available for $20 with a new or gently-used coat.
General gate admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under.

About 73,000 free general admission tickets have been distributed to school districts all over the Panhandle.

A coupon system will be used for purchasing food, games and individual rides. Unused tickets can be placed in dispensers at exit gates.

All unused tickets and coupon dollars will be allocated to the Tri-State Fair scholarship fund.

For additional information and daily activity schedules, visit the fair Web site at www.tristatefair.com.

At the fairgrounds, the Happy State Bank Video Information Center at the north end of the food court will scroll information about each day's events.

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Posted: September 13, 2007