-Food, Fun, Music and Festivities March 6-9, 2025
THE HISTORY OF LA SALLE COUNTY FAIR
1984 Wild Hog Cook-Off Winners
In March of 1972, the first La Salle County Fair was organized by the Young Homemakers of Texas, Cotulla chapter. The young women of this organization recognized the need for periodic competitive exhibitions to showcase the projects produced by the youth and adults of their county.
By 1974, the fair had grown to the point where the young homemakers felt it should be run by the entire community. To achieve this goal, every organization in the county was asked to send a representative to an organization meeting, which led to the formation of the LaSalle County Fair Association.
In 1980, La Salle County celebrated its centennial, and the fair board decided that they needed something unique to draw more people to the celebration. Given that hunting was the county's main industry and there was an abundance of wild hogs with no hunting season, the board decided to hold the first Wild Hog Cook-off competition. Only five teams competed in the first year, and the hog meat could be prepared in any way, not just barbecuing. However, all entries had to be cooked on the fairgrounds on the day of the cook-off.
LaSalle County Fair Royalty
A lease agreement was reached in 1984 with the American Legion and the building of our Show barn began. With a show barn, one of our ultimate goals was realized when we were able to have our first top-rate livestock show and sell with 14 steers. In 1985, the Fair Board set a positive professional direction towards producing and promoting the Cook and Fair. The grounds were enclosed with a security fence, a ticket policy was established and restroom facilities as well as a large kitchen and meeting room were added. The cookout was further improved by adding two new categories, showmanship, and artistic presentation. For showmanship, teams decorated their cooking area to go with the theme. A unique part of the cook-off that sets us apart from other cook-offs is the artistic presentation. This is where elaborate trays were prepared to serve the uniquely prepared hog meat.
By 1985, the Fair Association and the Chamber of Commerce saw the need to put together even closer to organize the fair and the cook-off. It was decided that we needed a young lady to represent both organizations, helping to advertise the fair city in our community. Her title would be—the LaSalle County Fair Queen. Second, A common theme was needed for both the parade and the Warhol cook-off. Third, we should share all the expenses. Continued growth allowed for more changes, among them the expansion of the Arts and Craft Show. In 1988, it was decided that our youth needed another Ave. to express themselves, so the Science Fair was added this would not only encourage our children in their education but would show what our schools covered in the education process. The Fair board expanded the event through Sunday to include a ranch rodeo.
1985 - What started out as Franklin Family then turned into Mama's Wild Bunch and Michelle Hillje James the first Fair Queen.
The Wild Hog Cook-off continued to grow rapidly. And by 1989 it began necessary to add two new categories. First, a champion of the Champions Division would be added to the winners of previous years to compete. And as well as the current year's open division.
Thus, there would be nine teams in the Champion of Champions Division each year. Second, artistic presentation was divided into two divisions of edible and non-edible. And the edible tray? Everything must be edible. The nonedible tray could contain both edible and non-edible items. Both divisions must make their presentation to carry out the theme of the Wild Hog cook off. This was also the year that the Wall Hog Futurity was added as a Sunday event. In 1995. Brought in addition of land to the fair site, the Ben Alexander estate donated twenty acres adjacent to the existing fairgrounds. The acreage was used for the construction of the Alexander Memorial Shelbourne and additional parking lot.
1985 Ruby's Lounge Float (Mateo Blanco, Joe Vela, Fidel DelToro, Ramon Gonzalez & Miss Ruby Kerry
In 1996, the LaSalle County Exhibit Hall was open to commercial booths which showed handcraft items only. Also moved into the exhibit hall. Were the Arts and Crafts show and the science fair?
The livestock show is no longer just for steers or heifers, but swine broilers and goats. We have something for all ages at our events. Which include entertainers Fair Queen Contest, Little Mr. and Miss LaSalle contests, the Pepper Parade, Wall Hog Scramble, Science Fair Poster Contest, Food Show. Western dance arts and craft shows, ranch rodeo, wild hog futurity, and more commercial and food booths than we ever thought possible.
March 1997 saw the completion of the office which was added onto the existing building. This was so we would be able to work out of the building and have a centralized location for personnel and guests to receive information.
Chiquis Avila participating in the LCFA Parade 1985
In May of 1997, the LaSalle County Fair Association began a scholarship fund in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Alexander. The first scholarship in the amount of. $2500 was. Awarded to Mr. Clint Wolf of Texas A&M University in 1998, the scholarship was awarded to Brandy Boatwright, also attending Texas A&M University. In February of 1998, the Board Commission CW Warden to do the memorial plaque of Ben and Ida Alexander, which was installed in the Fair Building. Meeting room. Also, during this time, County Commissioner Andy Landrum assisted the fair association of attaining enough asphalt to pave part of our fairgrounds. This was to help cut back. On the blowing of the dirt and dust during the fair.
1998. Also saw the board voting to award youth premiums. This went to the Grand and Reserve champions and the Top 4 Blue Ribbon scores. The board felt this would encourage the youth to excel with their interests. A set premium was designated for the poster contest, the Science Fair and Arts and crafts. The Food show items went to our food auction where the youth receive 50% of the auction price for their items.
In 1999, we expanded our scholarship fund to help as many of the young individuals as we could with the budgeted money in our scholarship fund. Anyone wishing to donate money for this account? Will have their name listed on our scholarship contribution list and a scholarship issued in their name for that year.
Expansion also took place eon the Exhibit Hall, adding space for our Arts and Crafts and Science Fair, which allowed us to expand the area. Continued growth has allowed for more changes. It was decided that our youth needed still another avenue to express themselves, so there was the addition of an Essay Contest in which Middle School and High School Students may participate. The Essay topic is chosen each year, to encourage our students educationally, by helping them with their writing and at research skills.
2002 saw an addition to our Food Show by including a Canned Goods-Open Show along with our regular Food Show. During 2002, the Association also purchases one acre of land, formerly the Amberson Property, which is being used for additional parking and cook-off skills.
LCFA Parade Participates
2003 found us entering the technology world with the addition of our website. Our site was www.wildhogcookoff.com (which is not active anymore). We also had our email set up at lcfa@granderiver.net. The website was built and maintained by Brenda (Brown) Davis, a 2002 Cotulla High School graduate, and a Fair Scholarship recipient.
In 2004 new restrooms were added to the livestock show barn, there was also an office added to the show barn for the 4-H Club to use. The Craft show split into two categories: Fine Arts and Craft and Textiles. All age groups were included in each category. The Science Fair also split into the Elementary Group into two categories: Grade 1-2 and Grades 3-5.
Late 2004 found bleachers being added to the arena, and asphalt added to some of our parking areas hopefully to prevent anyone from getting stuck in the lower areas.
More improvements were made around the arena in 2006, and 2007 county officials provided pavement for areas around the grounds and in the parking lot. Even more improvements are being planned.
La Familia Avila in 2004
In 2007 the implementation of our Scholarship Partners Program was started. This allows the community to donate funds used specifically for scholarships. It has been a great success.
In 2009 the Science Fair was split up into even more categories. There are now 8 categories within the Science Fair being Grades 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 and 9-12.
The fair board also implemented a continuing education scholarship for previous scholarships winners to reapply for a scholarship to continue their education in an accredited college of their choice.
Amanda Brown & Peggy Hillje in 2003
Amanda Boatwright Johnson with the MC of the Lil Miss Piggy contest
2010 found the Fair joining Facebook, where we try to keep our “friends”!
2014 the fair board poured concrete for the new pavilion.
In 2015, the new pavilion was added to the fairgrounds that is used for the Fair’s Opening Ceremonies and the Scholarship Fundraising Concerts.
Our fair is always a work in progress, and we welcome anyone willing to give of their time to help the youth and our community. The week of the fair has always been known as “homecoming time”, a time to meet and greet old new friends. Why not become a part of the fair membership or a part of one of the committees to help make it happen?