HISTORY
Fun for generations!
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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.
2024 Launched Fair Cards in lieu of tickets.
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.
History of St. Ann's Fair Chairmen
1949 K of C, Mother's Club, Altar Society (Ray Kelly by request of Altar Society), Frank Repman, Nick Dragisic
1950 Mrs. Dan Lillis, Mrs. Bill Cheatem, Jim Price, Nick Dragisic
1951 Ray Kelly, Mrs. WB Smith (Altar Society), Walter Beardsley (K of C), MC Dean Kelly
1952 Maurice Kennedy
1953 George Pelletier
1954 William J. Finch
1955 Roger Cummings
1956 John Buckley
1957 Leon Fischer
1958 Cecil Elder
1959 Jack Gazzale
1960 Byrne O'Neil
1961 Max & Hilda Schumann
1962 Bob & Frances Bolfing
1963 Jerry Minahan
1964 Matt Walters
1965 John Brock
1966 C.E. (Gene) Mear
1967 Herb & Dorothy Carter
1968 Ted & Joan Noel
1969 Vernon & Hazel Reichle
1970 Burney & Foy Cox
1971 Bernard & Virginia Pankratz
1972 Bob & Mary Hilton
1973 Jesse & Santa Moralles
1974 Melvin & Mry Dunn
1975 John Paul & Jo-Ann Raney
1976 Felipe & Cecilia Morales
1977 Paul & Karen Raymond
1978 Herb & Pat Stanley
1979 Don & Marge Hellinghausen
1980 Rick & Olivia Farias
1981 Ken & Elaine Kurc
1982 Neil & Jan Florer
1983 Frank & Donna Repman
1984 Bob & Cindy Stuart
1985 Roy & Roberta Allen
1986 Al & Bertha Enriquez
1987 Tommy & Mary Carre'
1988 John & Sue Munroe
1989 James & Jackie Chude
1990 Wayne & Barbara Ransbottom
1991 Rick & Janis Drake
1992 Perkins & Denise Brasher
1993 Monty & Karen McLane
1994 John & Lynda Monroe
1995 Jim & Debbie Cosner
1996 George & Jo Anne Friesen
1997 Charlie & Jeannette Manis
1998 Tom & Jan Matchus
1999 Bob & Le'Ann Weidner
2000 Pat & Shelly Worrell
2001 Ken & Jayne Krawietz
2002 Pete & Evie Hagist
2003 Mark & Lisa Williams
2004 Ray & Dana Schmicek
2005 Victor & Mary Perez
2006 Randy & Patricia Ray
2007 Jim & Debbie Modawell
2008 Bill & Lisa Bane
2009 Paul & Dolle Porter
2010 Richard & Beth Crawford
2011 Gene & Stephanie McQuitty
2012 Sparky & Dina Clark
2013 Andy & Tonya Iverson
2014 Lisa & Jeff Durgin
2015 Kari & Cory Rylander
2016 Jennifer & Dan Varner
2017 Sandra & Rene Garcia
2018 Raquel & Joe Louis Padilla
2019 Chris & Betsy Repman
2020 Aaron & Heather Hale
2021 John & Casey Mraz
2022 Aaron & Casey Hajovsky
2023 John & Leah Shoberg
2024 Paul & Laura Iaquaniello
2025 Madlyn Babb
2026 Ira & Beth Bradford