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Important Dates in the History of the Fair 1949 Started by Knights of Columbus, Mother’s Club, Altar Society, Frank Repman & Nick Dragisic 1952 it was chaired by an individual, Mr. Maurice Kennedy. 1958 a car was raffled. The price of the car was $3,400. Had pony rides, 27 booths. 1960 Playland was added (carnival). 1962 Raffled a 1962 Chevy II. The weather was ideal at 100 degrees most of the day. 1977 Raffled Datsun 210. 1978 Up to 44 booths. Raffled Datsun B210. 1981 First time to gross over $100,000 1983 5/23/83 newspaper article states that “Texas had voted to propose a constitutional Amendment legalizing the sale & purchase of raffle tickets for charities. Under the current law, buying a raffle ticket is a misdemeanor carrying a $200 fine. Selling a raffle ticket is a felony that could carry up to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The Texas House voted 119-18 in favor of a constitutional amendment, also included a stipulation that charities would be limited to two raffles a year.” St. Ann’s raffled off a 1983 4-door Ford Escort. 1988 Had a Handwriting Analysis booth. 1989 Made it into Texas Highways for September, 1989 events in West Texas. 2003 Raffle - $10,000 in gold. 2006 Introduced Wax Hands booth. 2007 First year for a Fair Day Fun Run. 2013 First classic car raffled for the 65th anniversary of the fair (1965 Ford Mustang) 2016 First Pokémon sighting at the fair. Miscellaneous Fair Information: The net proceeds benefit St. Ann’s School. A good year helps the parish as a whole (because the church subsidizes the school)! The entire fair is staffed by volunteers. Many have volunteered for more than 20 years! The weather and economy are the biggest factors regarding the fair’s financial success. It takes one full year to fully prepare for the fair. To chair the fair is normally a two year commitment. The couple that co-chairs the fair will normally chair the fair the following year (kind of like a training run). This has been the case since at least 1970. The 1949 Fair was chaired by organizations. Starting in 1952 one individual chaired the Fair. That didn't last long! In 1961 began the process of a husband/wife team chairing the fair. The fair is built in approximately seven days and is torn down in one. The carnival rides generally roll into town Monday before the Fair and leave the Monday/Tuesday after the fair. The fair could not take place without our wonderful neighbors! This is evident each time the City Council grants St. Ann’s the land use permit needed for the event. |
| St. Ann's Family Fair | HISTORY OF THE FAIR |
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