Tie-down roper Cory Solomon grew up roping at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead, Texas. In October 2012, he was heading to his second straight National Finals Rodeo. He just roped at the Waller County Fair and Rodeo this past week and is heading to his 11th NFR in December. Just like the Hempstead rodeo, Solomon has been a fixture in ProRodeo for 16 years.
(PHOTO BY JAMES PHIFER)
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Waller County Fair Board members firmly believe that consistency breeds success.
It’s something the board has hung its hat on over most of the last two decades and has been the foundation behind capital campaigns and increasing attendance of its annual exposition. The Waller County Fair and Rodeo wrapped its 82nd edition this past Saturday night.
Cohesion is also why there were more than 600 entries into this year’s ProRodeo and why so many of the sport’s superstars want to kick off each new campaign in Hempstead every year. This area of Texas is rich in rodeo history, and Waller County likes to celebrate it.
“When we started our PRCA rodeo 16 years ago, we just had a vision of what we wanted,” said Clint Sciba, co-chairman of the fair board’s rodeo committee. “The idea was to bring in the best people in rodeo to help us make that vision a reality, and that’s what has happened. We got the best stock contractor in rodeo with Pete Carr. We’ve got the best announcer in Andy Stewart.
“They’ve been here since our first year, and most of the other personnel has been here a very long time. When you have that kind of continuity, it helps everything run smoothly.”
Relationships were formed in 2011, the first year of ProRodeo in Waller County. They’ve cemented over the years since, and trust is shared between all involved. It’s similar to how the fair’s volunteers continue to show up time after time, handling the labor it takes to produce an event of this magnitude.
“It comes down to trusting everyone you’re working with,” said Paul Shollar, another co-chairman of the rodeo committee. “We’ve got the best professionals rodeo has to offer. They come here to do a job, and they do it very well. I’m proud to say we put on a great rodeo every year.”
The Waller County Fair Association was created in 1945 and serves the communities within the county’s borders. The primary mission is on youth, and the livestock shows and other exhibits are important factors in the expo’s success.
The other activities – rodeo-related events, the carnival and the various concerts – are attractions to help entice fair-goers. The goal is to provide members of the community with 10 days of entertainment while focusing resources toward the county’s young people.
It takes a dedicated team of volunteers that work year-round to make it happen on a yearly basis. A core group has been instrumental to the fair’s development over the last decade and a half, and that faction has led to many positive changes in that time. The group has worked closely with major donors and sponsors to build this exposition and the facilities.
Everything continues to work seamlessly. This year, the event is a finalist for the Texas Circuit Medium Rodeo Committee of the Year; it’s an honor that proves the point
“The recognition is great, but we’ve been building this for Waller County,” Sciba said. “None of this happens without people who work together for a greater cause.”