Hendry County Fair and LiveStock Show Inc.

 February 17 , 2012  through February 25, 2012

Salute to American Farmers in dedication to the South Florida Farmers

With attendance steadily climbing over the last two years we are excitedly looking forward to 2012.  We had over 15, 000 visitors during our week long fair in 2011.  Belle City Amusements will be back this year and along with the fair board have planned a great show. 

Finances

The fair grossed about $150,000 in 2011.  The monthly reoccurring expenses which include utilities, insurance, maintenance, and professional services average about $4,000 a month, with our total yearly expenses for 2011 at roughly $140,000.   Some of those expenses include scholarships, awards, ribbons, maintenance of the grounds and labor. Annual Insurance cost is $22,000 a year. The Hendry County Sheriff, Multi Agency Task Force, City of Clewiston Police and the Youth Explorer Clubs volunteer a huge amount of hours and the board spends $3,100 on Sheriff deputies and police officers. The fair board spends about $12,000 a year on expenses related to the Miss Hendry County Pageants and the Youth Livestock Program. The Hendry County Fair is a 501c (3) nonprofit organization.  Most all the revenue earned at the fairgrounds is put back into the local community.           

Pageant

Miss Hendry County is guaranteed a $2,000.00 scholarship.  Local Businesses and Community groups donate to this scholarship as well.  34 Hendry County young ladies participated in 2011.  Those ladies raised $4,000 for the Christopher Lowe Memorial Scholarship and the Mason Cole Memorial Scholarship.  The entry deadline for  the 2012 pageant will be announced soon – look for more information in the local newspapers.

Youth Livestock Program

This year we have 11 Market steers entered into the fair.  One of which is the Doc Keen Scholarship steer.  Every year since the passing of our devoted friend the Hendry County Fair along with John Ward and a 4-H member have raised a steer that is sold at the Youth Livestock Market during the fair.  All of the monies are placed in the scholarship which is memory of Doctor Kenneth Keen D.V.M.  To-date about $30,000 has gone into the scholarship.

We estimate around 75 market hogs will be weighed in on November 5^th.

Last Year’s sale grossed about $110,000 for 64 animals.  We are thankful and grateful to Hendry County and the surrounding communities for their continued support.

Exhibits

In the Home Exhibit Building the dust is getting stirred up.  That committee is planning some major repairs and updating this year.  Four of the local schools participated last year, along with 4-h Clubs, local businesses, community organizations, and individuals.   A booth cost $75.00 for all nine days of the fair and is a great opportunity to meet and greet the community.

Parade

The 2012 Hendry County Fair parade will be on February 18^th beginning at 2:00pm.  The route will be the same as in the past – beginning on South W.C. Owen Ave to Ventura to Francisco to the Fair Grounds.  Contact 863-599-9060 and leave a message.

Community Events

The Hendry County fair provides a venue for many events throughout the year.  In appreciation of many years of service the Hendry County Fair board held a special dinner and rodeo for Cross Training Ministries.   The boys were fed a steak dinner with all the fixings and then turned loose in the Horse Arena for a night of rodeo fun.  Seminole Tribe of Florida and Commissioner Karson Turner supplied the stock for the event.  Great Memories!

Several 4-H  clubs hold their meetings at the fairgrounds and for the first time ever the fairgrounds will be the venue for a pig prospect show in December. 

It’s a great venue for birthday parties, showers, weddings, and other special events. Contact 863-983-8191 for rates.

The Hendry County fairgrounds is also the home of a monthly flea market during the fall and winter.  The flea markets are the first Saturday of the month from 7am to noon.  Contact 863-983-4453 for more information.

The fair board is comprised of a group of volunteers that meet monthly on the second Tuesday at 7pm at the fairgrounds.  Volunteers and visitors are always welcomed.