In the 2000 movie Miss Congeniality there is a scene where a beauty pageant contestant is asked what her perfect date is. Misunderstanding the question she answers “April 25th, it’s not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket.”
Well, you certainly didn’t need a jacket at the Tyler County Fair last week, it was plenty warm, but for me the perfect dates are always that first weekend in October. There were lots of impressive feats throughout the weekend including Keylea Dean of the Warren FFA winning four different categories in the Home Economics competition. The week started on Wednesday evening when Hunt Reid, a Warren FFA senior, won the Broiler show. On Thursday we got started with the lamb show where Hunt Reid continued his winning ways by securing the Champion Lamb as well. Warren FFA senior Hallie Foret secured the showmanship buckle for lambs, to pair with her senior showmanship buckle she won for broilers the night before. For the goat show Hallie Foret took grade with Warren FFA member Lyric Read taking the reserve and Woodville FFA member Hollie Jarrott securing senior showmanship, Ryder Handley Chester FFA secured the intermediate showmanship and Paisley Seamans, Colmesneil FFA rounded out goat showmanship by winning Junior showmanship.
Woodville FFA Senior Alyssa Johanson won the Swine show on Thursday night, followed by cousins Lily Read as reserve champion and Sam Standley as third place, Chester and Warren seniors respectively. Breeding Heifer honors stayed north of 190 as both Grand and Reserve Supreme Heifers were shown representing Colmesneil FFA with Paisley Seamans winning grand and Hattie Swinney winning reserve. Meat Pen Rabbits were won by Warren FFA member Wyatt Buys and champion fryer rabbit was shown by Warren FFA senior Mikayla Brown. The Champion Steer was exhibited by Paisley Seamans, Colmesneil FFA.
In total, the livestock auction and the home economics auction together brought nearly $380,000 to the youth of our community, totaling out to right at $395,000 when you bring in under the barn sales, which is an impressive feat for our small community.
One of the most prestigious awards of the fair is named after the late R.A. Jernigan. Mr. Jernigan was a pioneer and leader in Tyler County Agriculture and to honor him, each year a senior student who has shown tremendous leadership throughout their fair career is awarded a belt buckle in his memory. This year’s winner was no exception to the history of excellence in agriculture with the honor going to Lily Read of Chester.
Several years ago, the fair decided to honor showmen who had made it their entire career without missing a Tyler County Fair entry.
This year, tremendously, there were 11 showmen who had shown each year from third grade through their senior year. Those Legacy showmen are: from Chester, Abby Grimes, Cutter Lowe, Lily Read and Waylon Sturrock. From Spurger Carter Wright. From Warren, Hunter Parker, Hunt Reid, Sam Standley and Cole Walters. From Woodville Alyssa Johanson and representing Tyler County 4H Emma Talley. In addition, two of those seniors were awarded the inaugural Tyler County Fair Scholarship: Sam Standley of Warren and Carter Wright of Spurger.
Each year there are special memories of the fair and special seniors who are celebrating their last time in the ring, but this year’s group of seniors, both the legacy winners and others, were tremendous. Leadership, tenacity, hard work, compassion and caring, this group has made an impact that will not be forgotten.
In speaking on that impact, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the fair honoring a man who has made perhaps the greatest impact on the Tyler County Fair and Tyler County Agriculture as anyone.
The Fair Honored Mr. Rex Currie for his contributions over a lifetime of service. Currie was a part of the first fair board meeting held in 1976 to plan and start the 1977 Tyler County Fair.
Currie has been serving as the Advisor for the Warren FFA since 1974 and will be completing his 50th year of teaching at Warren this year, for nearly that entire time he has also served all of Tyler County as a leader on the Fair Board.
The impact he has made is incalculable, his work has changed thousands of lives and his example has inspired many.
The Tyler County fair recognized Mr. Currie for his dedication with a plaque and a photo with a small sliver of the student he had taught that were at the auction on Saturday night. Mr. Currie changed my life for the better, and it is my goal each and every day to someday make a fraction of the difference he has made in the lives of tens of thousands.
The Tyler County Fair for me is the best time of the year and each year memories are made that will last a lifetime. On behalf of the Tyler County Fair, I’d like to thank the community for their support, and I look forward to seeing you at the fairgrounds in October of 2025!
