In a small country town such as Johnson City, tradition is a big deal. One tradition that’s coming to town next weekend is the 80th Annual Blanco County Fair and Rodeo. Generations of families flock to the Blanco County Fairgrounds every year to participate in this long-standing ritual.

The fun begins when all Queen contestants attend the mandatory registration on Sunday, August 15, at 1:00 p.m. at the PEC headquarters in Johnson City. At that meeting, the rules and agenda will be shared with the young ladies, and the local newspapers will take their pictures.

On Thursday, August 19, the excitement continues when the books open at 5:30 p.m. for the Blanco County Youth Rodeo. The books will close at 6:30 p.m. sharp! The actual rodeo will begin at 7:00 pm. There is a $10 fee for each entry in each event. Participants will be awarded ribbons for the Pee Wee and Junior age divisions, however Seniors will compete for jackpot prize money.

The contestants will be divided into three age groups: Pee Wee is ages 10 years and under; Juniors are 11 through 14 years; and Seniors are ages 15 through 18.

The events for the youth rodeo include: pole bending, goat tying, mutton busting (60 lbs. and under only), breakaway roping, team roping, barrels, calf riding, and steer riding.

In order for contestants to participate, they must meet the following requirements: they must live in Blanco County or attend public school in Blanco County; they must ride without assistance (parents and adults will be asked to remain outside the arena during competition); and legal guardians must be on site to sign entry forms.

This annual county party will continue directly following the youth rodeo with the Blanco County Team Roping competition. The roping format for this contest is as follows: Drawpot: 4 head, progressive after first round, barrel roping (no barriers). The cost is $80 per person, per entry. There will be 4 runs per entry. There is a maximum of two entries per person – and only open entries will take place; random draw (no picked partners). The books will open at 7:00 p.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. sharp!

For those interested in having a float in the parade, entry forms can be found online at http://www.bcfra.org/. The forms need to be turned in to Emily Zbytovsky at the Johnson City Record Courier office or Tammy Liesmann at the Johnson City City Hall office.

Little girls who dream of one day wearing a Queen’s crown will enjoy Friday night of the fair, where Queen contestants will be judged on stage in formal/evening gown attire. Saturday morning, these young ladies will be judged as they participate in the Blanco County Fair and Rodeo parade. Immediately after the parade, contestants will go straight into their personal interview with the judges.

There’s only about a week left until the fun begins, so come on Blanco County – it’s time to shine those belt buckles, dust off your boots and grab ‘yer cowboy hat for the best darn Blanco County Fair and Rodeo yet! We’ll see you there!

For more information about the 80th Annual Blanco County Fair and Rodeo, visit their website online at http://www.bcfra.org.