By: Springer S.R. No. 18
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Cooke County Fair Association is celebrating
the 150th anniversary of the Cooke County Fair in 2021; and
WHEREAS, The first county fair in Cooke County was held
near Gainesville in 1871, on land that had been donated to the
Cooke County Agricultural and Mechanical Association by Robert
Wheelock, the county's first judge, and J. M. Perry; it featured
exhibits and a mule-driven flying jenny, which was an early
version of the merry-go-round; fairs were held on the site until
1875, when the land was sold; and
WHEREAS, The fair association established a new 40-acre
fairground in 1891 and conducted an annual fair there until 1894;
the next fair was held in 1897 at a third location, which featured
a racetrack, agricultural displays, livestock judging, and
balloon ascensions; subsequent fairs took place at different
sites in 1899 and 1906; and
WHEREAS, After festivities were suspended between 1913 and
1926, the Cooke County Fair was reestablished in 1927, and in
1928, it drew more than 13,000 people with two parades, an
archery contest, baseball games, a team-pulling competition, and
a rodeo; that same year, the City of Gainesville provided the
fair association with the use of land east of the city, and over
the years, several exhibition halls were added to the property;
the fair association took its current name in 1939; and
WHEREAS, Put on hold again during World War II, the fair
was restarted in 1947; the Fair Park Community Center was used
throughout the year for an annual horse show, a reunion of war
veterans on the Fourth of July, and a Juneteenth celebration by
the county's African American residents; during the 1950s and
60s, the fair was held in downtown Gainesville; and
WHEREAS, In the 1980s, the fair association purchased its
current location just outside of the city and built a fair barn;
destroyed by a storm in 2006, the barn has been rebuilt, becoming
host to many other events year-round, including 4-H and FFA youth
workshops, rodeos, circuses, livestock shows, and shooting
competitions; and
WHEREAS, For a century and a half, the Cooke County Fair
has brought the community together to benefit youth, promote
agriculture, and celebrate the area's rich legacy, and it is
truly a pleasure to join in marking this special occasion; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 87th Texas Legislature,
3rd Called Session, hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of
the Cooke County Fair and extend to the Cooke County Fair
Association sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the association as an expression of high regard by
the Texas Senate.