President’s Welcome

Greetings to all.

We have another fun-filled summer at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds, with four weekends of horse racing and the 134th Gillespie County Fair, set for Aug. 25-28.

We already have had a busy 2022 season starting back in April and May. The (AMCA) American Motorcycle Club of America had the National meet here with a vintage bike show, flat dirt track head-tohead racing, swap meet and a lot of camaraderie.

Next, we had the Monster Truck Show/Rally with high-flying car crushing trucks. They are always a real crowd pleaser, as evidencd by the grandstands and lower-level seating filled to capacity.

Next, we had the highly anticipated Easter Fires Pageant with a huge cast. This is always a great crowdpleasing tradition.

Topping off May were the closing ceremonies of the yearlong 175th Anniversary of Fredericksburg. We had an old-fashioned sausage, potato and sauerkraut meal, beard contest and music and dance with Sam Whiskey.

We have a great line up set for the 134th Gillespie County Fair, which runs Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 25-28. Tejano music will be provided Thursday evening, the midway opens and a carnival for all ages is scheduled. Admission to the grounds is free on Thursday. Arts, crafts, baked goods and agricultural products will be dropped off Thursday afternoon for judging that evening.

On Friday morning, a huge parade through downtown Fredericksburg will kick off at 10 a.m. After the parade, gates open at 1 p.m. with the exhibition hall, the livestock barn full of entries, the carnival and midway. Friday night, Jake Hooker will provide the entertainment for boot scootin’. The queens contest will be at 7 p.m. on the dance floor.

On Saturday, gates open at 10 a.m. with racing starting at 1 p.m. Entertainment will be provided all afternoon, as well as lots of food and drinks.

Dancing starts immediately after the races with Lindsey Lane, followed by Jack lngram, with David Lee Murphy closing out the night.

Sunday, gates open at 11 a.m. with racing at 1 p.m. Exhibitions, midway, carnival and agricultural entertainment will be on hand all day.

I am very honored to serve as president this year for such a great organization. Things would not be a success if it weren’t for our volunteers throughout the year, excellent staff to keep all of us directors in line and looking good, and all of our board of directors and their wives.

I also want to thank Gillespie County and the City of Fredericksburg for their support throughout the year and the citizens of Gillespie County who have supported us for the past 134 years.

Without your support and participation, we would not be able to put together this Fredericksburg/ German tradition.

Again, I just want to say thank you to all. I am proud and honored to be a member of a great organization like the Gillespie County Fair and Festivals Association.

Marvin J. Crenwelge President