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In Blanco County, you can count on two things in the month of August – a heat wave, and the Fair and Rodeo. There’s not a Blanco County Fair and Rodeo that would be complete without the accompanying parade as well. I would have submitted an entry into the food exhibit if it weren’t for the fact that I had already broadcasted the news of my ongoing jelly debacle. I was afraid that no one would vote for jelly that took 3 days to jell. However, you should know that I did win one year for jelly. It was Mayhaw jelly, so I probably only won because no one else had any jelly of that kind in the contest.

It appears that most of our Johnson City kids who had moved away with their young families always seem to come back and partake in the several day extravaganza we call "Fair & Rodeo Weekend." It is especially fun to see all of the young people whom, it seems to me, just recently graduated from high school. I always find it amazing me how they just suddenly reappear in town with kids of their own.

If you are a newcomer to watching the parade you will note that the ‘old timers’ have arrived at the parade route long before you did. They have already staked out their places along the curb. Families have had these special places for decades and you are not likely to arrive early enough to claim these places for yourself. It was no different this year. Over the years, I have mostly sat among the Hartmann clan, and I did again this year.

It is during this time of year that carefully watched children are allowed to scamper into the street to pick up treasures thrown from the parade floats. This, of course, sometimes pits brother against sister and vice versa. Oftentimes, one family member goes against another to retrieve the most goodies. These days fans and water bottles are highly treasured "thrown gifts." There were even some political goodies being passed out this year. There was so much candy from the floats, that I witnessed the kids around me actually becoming ‘picky’ about which candy they would pick up. The streets were littered with all manner of candy and gum after everything was said and done.

Both of the guys running for political office had "give-a-ways." However, the guy who will get my vote is the one who gave out water and fans. Something to squelch the heat of the day will always win in my book.

I love to see the decorated floats with the pretty girls and the funny costumes. However, my favorite people to see are the Shrine Clowns. I love watching them ride their little scooters while popping wheelies and cutting dido’s’. I also like to see the men riding horses while presenting the flags and colors. Some of these guys, like the Smith’s, have ridden in this parade for decades. It began with J. W. and his son Sonny. Then Sonny Smith and his sons did it; and I expect one day we’ll see a grandson or maybe a granddaughter riding as well. Traditions are rampant during Fair and Rodeo time.

In the past, I’ve heard that Fair and Rodeo time called for all the ladies – from toddlers to teens and their mom’s – to buy new outfits just for the occasion. Everyone used to really dress up for the rodeo and dance.

The queens contest is really neat. Quite frankly, we really do have the best looking girls right here, in North Blanco county. There’s some pretty good looking cowboy "wanna be’s" as well. I love to see how the evening wear for females has changed in the last 50 years. You don’t see many hoop skirted dresses (ala Scarlett O’ Hara) any more, but there are still some good looking outfits out there. I wonder if today’s’ young girls even know what a "Merry Widow" is? Or should I say "was?" I’ll bet they think it’s a "partying widow woman." Speaking of widow women, did anyone else see the girls dressed in all black?

The parade was long and good, with some music thrown in for good measure. I think someone said we had 25 contestants vying for Rodeo Queen this year. From where I sat, they all looked like winners to me.

I went out to the fair grounds to see what all was in the exhibit hall. It was packed with produce and food stuffs, including canned and jarred vegetables and fruits. I also noticed that there were some crafted items entered as well. There were lots of blue ribbons given out this year. I also noticed some exhibits that held some hanging baskets of flowers in full bloom. The Master Gardeners had a nice exhibit, as did the Extension clubs and 4-H clubs. I was interested in the baked goods and was hoping for a taste of some of the winning items, but it was unmanned when I showed up.

The carnival part of the fair looked interesting. There were lots of rides and games to play, and although I didn’t get a Lions Club hamburger at noon, I might get back out tonight for one of those, they are choice!

I saved the best for last. I want to congratulate Miss Morgan Moreland on winning the Queen contest. We can be sure she doesn’t have the ‘big head’ over the honor, because from what I understand – the crown was so large it kept falling off of her head! This young lady definitely has the poise and looks to be a queen. I am positive she will represent Blanco County in the very best way. I’m sure it has to be hard to pick a winner to be queen when there are so many pretty girls to choose from. I want to congratulate every single one of the other contestants as well. We just grow and groom such pretty girls here in Blanco County.

Everyone I spoke with seemed to think that the weather cooperated with us by cooling off from time to time by providing some nice breezes. Of course this didn’t happen until after the sun went down, but still – I think a good time was had by everyone during this Fair and Rodeo Weekend. Yee Haw, Ya’ll!