Family and fun the focus of fair and rodeo
Taylor is set to host a fair-ly new Williamson County tradition next week.
The 2023 Williamson County Fair and Rodeo takes place at the Williamson County Expo Center at 5350 Bill Pickett Trail in Taylor from Wednesday, Oct. 25 to Saturday, Oct. 28.
Gerald Anderson, Taylor mayor pro-tem and rodeo chair, said the city being able to host this event for the third year shows the respect Williamson County has for Taylor.
“Taylor being able to become the county seat, so to speak, for the Williamson County Fair and Rodeo is huge,” Anderson said. “It says a lot about our rich history of rodeo we have here and how important rodeo is here in Taylor and Williamson County, especially with it being the home place of Bill Pickett.”
The Williamson County Fair and Rodeo begins next week with a Samsung Family Night Wednesday, Oct. 25. Tickets are free for the day. Photo courtesy of Williamson County
Attendees can enjoy carnival rides, rodeo, a beer and wine garden, food, pig races, a lumberjack show, a petting zoo, local craft vendors and live music, a county press release said.
The first night of the Fair and Rodeo will have free gate admission for everyone as part of Samsung Family Night Wednesday, Oct. 25.
New this year, a junior rodeo will be held during Family Night, Oct. 25. This is the firstever junior rodeo in Williamson County.
During that night, kids that are 3 to 5 years old can compete in the stick horse parade. Children with the best decorated horse or costume will receive trophies.
Since Anderson has seen a decline in rodeo participation among the youth, he said efforts like the junior rodeo are important to preserving the sport.
“It’s really important to get the next generation inspired and then wanting to do rodeo,” Anderson said. “And realizing this is a sport they can actually do.”
Thursday, Oct. 26, is Central Texas Community Foundation Veterans Night. Veterans, first responders and active military will have free admission.
An American Professional Rodeo Association rodeo will take place both Friday and Saturday nights, Oct. 27 and 28. Live concerts will follow both nights.
Tickets at the gate are $14 for adults and $7 for children.
“There’s something for everybody to do out there,” Anderson said. “It’s good, clean family fun.”
The Williamson County Fair and Rodeo is put on by the Williamson County Fair Association. Proceeds from the event go toward student scholarships.
