2004 TVE Success

LIBERTY, November 19, 2004 - The 2004 Trinity Valley Exposition is history and it was very successful. We thank you for your support and contributions to make this event the great event it is for our community and the exhibitors. The weather was of course record heat for late October and that probably hurt our attendance some. There were also some rain showers on Saturday which made it messy and did not help the Saturday afternoon crowd. The final numbers should indicate a good year that will allow TVE to continue its scholarship program and continue to improve the facilities.

The livestock show went well with a lot of entries and some new obstacles to overcome. The livestock committee is a hard working group and they spend thankless hours seeing that the TVE Livestock show is a success. Mike Rives has been the Assistant Manager over Livestock for the past 3 years, along with Paul Campbell Livestock Superintendent they are to be commended for a great job.

The TVE for the first time drug tested our market animals with cloven hooves. I am pleased to report the drug test all came back negative, which means our animals were free of any unapproved drugs or feed additives. The drug-testing program is designed to assure that the food chain is kept clean for our buyers and to keep the playing field even for our exhibitors.

The Champion Market Sale was ahead of the 2003 sale by some $10,000, thanks to some great support from the buyers. The Sale Committee headed up by Karen Arnold is to be commended for a great job. There were also increases in the Freezer Sale and our 100 Club also had another successful year, which supports both sales.

The Home Economics Show was back on the fairgrounds during the fair for the first time in a couple of years and they had a big increase in entries and sale of those entries. There was a large trailer rented for the Home Economics Show to use which freed up space in the Exposition Hall and allowed there to be additional booths rented there.

The PRCA Rodeo had a good run with a lot of World Champion Cowboys and some good stock. Charlie Battle brought a good pen of bulls that tested the skill of some the top cowboys. Entries in our PRCA Rodeo were up in almost every event and some of that could be attributed to being a Dodge Rodeo again for the first time in a couple of years. Thanks to Liberty-Dayton Chrysler for their support of our rodeo. The announcer, Roger Mooney, did a great job for his first visit. Roger had the crowd with him and they seemed to respond enthusiastically to our cowboys and cowgirls. We are already talking about changes that we can incorporate into our rodeo that will make it even more exciting next year.

Gizzmo the Clown was as funny as ever or at least I thought so. Gizzmo works hard to entertain our crowd and brings a good variety of acts. He is very professional in his approach to rodeos and continues to make suggestions to improve our rodeo performance.

The big screen again this year was a crowd pleaser. The instant replay is just so great and allows you to see that action that you may have missed. Thanks to Baskin’s and Grand Casino Coushatta for sponsoring the Video Screen again this year.

The Queens Contest had 8 beautiful young ladies competing this year for the title of Rodeo Queen. Congratulations to Stephanie Frankum who was crowned Queen on Saturday night. Stephanie is a 19-year-old graduate of Hardin High School and is currently attending Lee College. Stephanie plans to represent the Trinity Valley Exposition in the Miss Rodeo Texas Pageant next June. Thanks to Duke Energy, Bayer, and Mr. Money Pawn. Stephanie & the other contestants received some really nice prizes including a saddle, a scholarship, and $300.00 to go toward her participation in the Miss Rodeo Texas pageant.

There were 2 new events this year and they both involved the youth. The Youth Advisory Council, which only became a reality this year, hosted our first Ag-Venture day for pre-k and kindergarten kids. On Thursday this group of students played host to over 600 kids from schools in our area. The kids were treated to a tour of the show barn, the rodeo arena bucking chutes, Texas Parks and Wildlife Exhibit, the Petting Zoo, and their last stop was for ice cream, cold water, and a picture. There were also hand sanitation stations at various locations for the students to use. The schools have complimented the Youth Advisory Council for making their students trip to the fair a memorable experience.

The other new event initiated this year was a public speaking contest. This contest began to bring more involvement from students that may not show livestock. There were 17 entries for this first year and the committee felt like it was a good beginning. One of the primary benefits of participating is the student becomes eligible to apply for the Trinity Valley Exposition Scholarships, which in 2004 amounted to $35,000.00 being awarded. Winners of the 1st TVE Public Speaking contest where: Junior Division – 1st Place – Morgan Ericson – Liberty, Lauren Clements – Cleveland and 3rd Place – Anna Mangum – Hardin. Senior Division – 1st Place Jamie Davis, 2nd Place – Bryce Gillfillian – East Chambers and 3rd Place – Kayla Taylor – Hull-Daisetta. Congratulations to all of the winners.

Prior to our fair in October the fairgrounds have been busy with other events. September had every weekend booked solid in both the Arena and Exposition Hall. As we look to the rest of the year and 2005 there are a lot of events scheduled already.

I am pleased to announce Mutt Neuman will be doing another Winter Rodeo Series beginning on January 15th. This series will last for 9 weeks. Mutt does a lot of events for the youngsters. Come out and enjoy some of Mutt’s Saturday night rodeos.

There is another event I would like to give everyone a heads up on and that is the weekend of November 27 & 28. Sam’s Western store will be sponsoring the 1st Annual Sam Bertino Memorial Calf Roping on Sunday and 4-D Barrel Racing on Saturday. These events will have open & youth classes. There should be an event for everyone that ropes calves or runs barrels. Larry Soloman will be furnishing the calves and he is known for having a good pen of calves.

The Houston Livestock Show Area Go Texan Committee has scheduled their Kick-Off Dance here at the fairgrounds in the Exposition Hall for January 22nd. Last I heard they had Jake Hooker from Ft.Worth playing for that event. Jake has a great country band and they play great dance music.

If you know anyone who might be interested in renting any of our facilities here at the fairgrounds just ask them to call the office @ 936-336-7455 for information.

There will be an election in January to elect 6 TVE Directors. If you know someone who you would like to be considered by the nominating committee please send their name and contact information to the TVE Nominating Committee @ P.O.Box 9047, Liberty, Texas 77575. The Nominating committee will be meeting in early December. They will submit a slate of directors at the December 14th board meeting.

TVE wishes each of you have a good Thanksgiving and safe holiday season.

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