Committees

4-H/FFA/FCCLA Department

Director: Marjie Pollard & Vickie Autrey

Chairman: Angela Reid & Monica Borak

Advanced Ticket Sales

Directors: Brian Graeber, Roy Mercer & Ruben O'Canas
Chairmen: Lisa Matthews & Jenna Montgomery

Ag'Tivity Barn

Director: Margaret Kunz & Pauletta Klemstein
Chairman: John Gordy

The Ag'Tivity Barn gives youth the opportunity to learn about livestock and crop production. This exhibit includes crops and live animals, ranging from hatching chicks to production cattle.

Ag Mechanics

Directors: Larry Loesch & Cecil Willis
Chairman: Ralph Gonzales & Joe Rome

This committee is composed of a number of individuals who like to work with projects prepared by students from various schools. A number of schools have shops in their Ag programs. These students construct items to be judged at our Fair and other shows, such as HLS&R, San Antonio, etc. The type of projects can be a cattle feeder, a swing a storage unit, a bar-b-que pit or even a tractor that has been restored and many other items built/restored by the school program.
Judges review the projects on construction/restoration, presentation, and practicality of the project. The students make their presentation to the judges and this is also figured into the compilation of the scores. As more schools are being constructed, shops are more prevalent in schools and this event has the potential to grow in size and stature.

Arena Action Seats

Directors: Neil Yelderman & Ernest Lawson
Chairmen: Nikki Rubesh

The Arena Action Seats Committee assists those who have purchased arena action seats in finding their seats and monitors the reserved seating section.

Armed Forces Appreciation Day

Director: Margaret Kunz & Elizabeth Duff Drozd
Chairman: Steve Miller

The Armed Forces Appreciation Day Committee hosts the Armed Forces Appreciation Day event at the Fort Bend County Fair. Active duty personnel, reservists, veterans and their immediate families are provided free entry to the fairgrounds the day of the event. The committee provides a luncheon with a live band and short ceremony to thank our service men and women. These guests are also provided reserved seating for the special grand entry ceremony and rodeo.

Art Auction

Director: Vickie Autrey, Pauletta Klemstein & Marjie Pollard
Chairman: Claudia Wright & Caylin Wright Boyd

The Art Auction Committee assists with the art annual School Art Auction. This auction showcases the talents of Fort Bend County Youth and the committee assists the students and buyers through the auction process.

Auction Buyers Recruitment

Directors: Pauletta Klemstein, Bobby Poncik, Neil Yelderman

The Auction Buyers Recruitment Committee reaches out to potential auction buyers and informs them of the benefits of becoming a buyer. This includes the Commercial Heifer Sale, Art Auction, Junior Livestock Auction, & Freezer Sale.

BBQ Cookoff

Director: Brian Graeber, Chase Raska & Ruben O'Canas
Chairman: Matt Bryson

The BBQ Committee oversees the cook off from set-up to tear-down and assists teams through the BBQ judging process.

Beverages

Directors: Brian Graeber, Ruben O'Canas
Beverage Sales Chairman: Kenny Fertak
Beverage Ticket Sales Chairman: Lisa Matthews

The Beverage Servers spend their time at the fair serving beer to those who have purchased tickets from the Beverage Ticket Sellers. These teams work together to provide alcoholic beverages to our patrons.

Calf Scramble

Director: Neil Yelderman & Ernest Lawson
Chairman: Ron Howell

The Calf Scramble Committee accepts applications from students interested in participating in the Calf Scramble to raise a production beef heifer. The committee then selects scramblers, coordinates sponsors, and puts on the calf scramble during the rodeo.

This gives exhibitors the financial opportunity to raise and show a production beef heifer, all while learning be responsible and keep accurate records of a production animal.

Children's Tractor Pull

Director: Margaret Kunz & Alicia Casias
Chairman: Jerry Gania

The Children's Tractor Pull Committee is a committee that puts on a pedal tractor pull race for children. This is a single day event usually scheduled on Saturday afternoon. The committee sets up, conducts the event and cleans up and stores the supplies after the event. The event could not happen without the dedicated efforts of its committee.

Commercial Exhibits

Directors: Louis Katz & Cecil Willis
Chairman: Bill Allen

This Commercial exhibits committee assists the exhibitors with check in and other services during the extent of the fair.

Commercial Heifer Auction

Director: Vickie Autrey & Calvin Zwahr
Chairman: Josh Lockhart

The Commercial Heifer Auction Committee puts on the annual Commercial Heifer Auction, giving exhibitors the opportunity to sell their heifer projects. This successful auction takes place after the heifer viewing and buyer's reception on the first Saturday of the Fair.

County Barrel Racing

Directors: Neil Yelderman & Ernest Lawson
Chairmen: Sandy Livingston

The County Barrel Race & Team Roping Committee consists of volunteers who organize and assist with production of the event which takes place one weeknight during the Fair. Volunteers should be familiar with all aspects of rodeo, including barrel racing and team roping events. Duties include placement and pickup of barrels in the arena, opening and closing arena gates, moving livestock and loading roping chutes, overseeing contestant warm up area to keep area clear, and various other duties that may be necessary.

County Team Roping

Directors: Neil Yelderman & Ernest Lawson
Chairmen: Sandy Livingston

The County Barrel Race & Team Roping Committee consists of volunteers who organize and assist with production of the event which takes place one weeknight during the Fair. Volunteers should be familiar with all aspects of rodeo, including barrel racing and team roping events. Duties include placement and pickup of barrels in the arena, opening and closing arena gates, moving livestock and loading roping chutes, overseeing contestant warm up area to keep area clear, and various other duties that may be necessary.

Cowboy Camp

Directors: Neil Yelderman & Ernest Lawson
Chairman: Chris Bronsell

Diaper Derby

Director: Alicia Casias & Margaret Kunz
Chairman: Stephanie Taylor

The Diaper Derby is responsible for getting even the littlest of cowboys and cowgirls involved! We create an exciting event where Moms and Dads can cheer on their little crawlers!

Downtown Stomp

Director: Vickie Autrey, Elizabeth Duff Drozd

Shopping after hours, wine tasting and raising money for a good cause is the goal of the Downtown Stomp. The Fort Bend County Fair has partnered with the Rosenberg Arts Alliance District to host the Downtown Stomp in the Historic Downtown Rosenberg shopping area.

Emergency Management

Director: Rusty Gibson, Roy Mercer Sean, Gutierrez, Larry Loesch
Chairmen: Kim Wukasch, David Bialas

The EMC is a committee provides a behind the scenes service to the patrons of the Fort Bend County Fair. They monitor radio traffic for emergencies, monitor weather, coordinate security requirements, provide coordination of lost children, among other things regarding communication of safety for patrons. Since its establishment, this committee has been a great asset to the Fort Bend County Fair.

Entertainment

Directors: Marjie Pollard, Neil Yelderman
Chairman: Amy Urbanek

The Fort Bend County Fair Entertainment Committee works to organize and support the entertainment that fair goers have come to enjoy each year during the Fair. The committee coordinates the services for entertainment events, handles on-site logistics of the entertainment, supervises beverage and food service, sound requirements, and any other activities necessary for a successful entertainment event.

Exceptional Rodeo

Director: Chase Raska & Jennifer Williams
Chairmen: Barbara Magana Robertson & Walter Armatys

Children and young adults with intellectual & physical disabilities are treated to a unique–up-close Rodeo experience that makes them the stars of the arena! Great event for grand people.

Facilities - Maintenance & Set Up

Directors: Sean Gutierrez, Ruben O'Canas & Mark Weber

Before, during and after the fair, this committee coordinates the set up and tear down for numerous fair events and functions. Members supervise and assist with room set up and tear down livestock pen set up and tear down and any other activities necessary for a successful event or function.

Freezer Sale

Directors: Vickie Autrey & Calvin Zwahr
Chairmen: Stefanie Stanley & Monica Borak

The Freezer Sale committee is responsible for planning and overseeing the Freezer Sale for the exhibitors that don't make the Premium Sale. The Freezer Sale is held the last Saturday of the fair.

Gatekeepers

Directors: Vickie Autrey, Alicia Casias, Pauletta Klemstein

Gate keepers bestow greetings to our fair patrons, direct and provide information and monitor proper ticketing for entering and exiting the fair.

Do you have a youth group, civic organization or business interested in gaining service hours or simply wanting to help? This is the committee for you!

Go Tejano

Directors: Alicia Casias & Ruben O'Canas
Chairmen: Alfred Valdez

The Go Tejano Committee oversees the Tejano events during the fair as well as hosting the GoTejano Committee Valentine's Dance each February.

Grand Entry

Director: Neil Yelderman & Ernest Lawson
Chairman:

This committee consists of volunteers who organize and coordinate the Grand Entry each night in the Rodeo Arena. Members help with participant releases and registration process. They ensure everyone is safe and recognized by the Rodeo Announcer.

Grapes on the Brazos

Directors: Elizabeth Duff Drozd, Margaret Kunz & Louis Katz
Chairman: Lauren Wright

Grapes on the Brazos coordinates the events taking place in the Wine Room during the Fair, as well as selling advance wine booklets prior to the fair.

Information

Director: Margaret Kunz & Cecil Willis
Chairman: Julia De La Houssaye

The function of this committee, at present, is to see that display stands with maps of the fairgrounds and schedules for the Fair are positioned on the grounds to assist patrons.
There is an opportunity to grow this committee in the future to allow for kiosk with many more opportunities. Looking to the future, we can man these locations with volunteers to answer questions, give directions and assist our patrons in a much more efficient and friendly manner. It would also allow for the Fair to survey the Fair patrons as to the success or need for improvement of the Fair.

Invitational Roping

Directors: Neil Yelderman & Ernest Lawson
Chairmen: Anthony Macha & John Hendricks

The Invitation Calf Roping Committee consists of volunteers who organize and assist with production of this event which takes place one weeknight during the Fair. Volunteers should be familiar with all aspects of rodeo and be comfortable working around horses and livestock. Duties include opening and closing arena gates, moving livestock and loading roping chutes, pulling the barrier, overseeing contestant warm up area to keep area clear, and various other duties that may be necessary.

Jr. Livestock Auction

Directors: Vickie Autrey & Calvin Zwahr

This committee consists of volunteers who organize and coordinate all Auction activities of the Jr. Livestock Auction. Duties include: bidder registration prior to the auction, collection of buyers signatures, handling add on requests, collection of funds, coordinating photos with buyer and exhibitor, transportation assistance to buyers before and after the sale and data processing. It is a fun committee that works very hard for the benefit of the youth exhibitors.

Jr. Livestock Auction Beverage Servers

Director: Cecil Willis
Chairman: Shirleen Willis

This is a committee within a committee. This is a group of volunteers who facilitate the service of refreshments to the buyers at the Junior Livestock Auction. These volunteers provide all buyers and their guest refreshments as they bid on the exhibitors projects.

Jr. Livestock Volunteers

Directors: Ernest Lawson, Bobby Poncik, Jennifer Williams
Charman: Tiffany Lehman

The Jr. Livestock Committee consists of hard-working youth with a passion for livestock. Members work inside the show ring, assist with set-up and tear-down, assist with tag-ins and help out in the livestock office.

Jr. Fair Royalty Pageant

Director: Alicia Casias & Jennifer Williams
Chairman: Donna Hutson

The Jr. Royalty Pageant committee hosts and coordinates the contest a week before the fair. Our committee is responsible for providing judges, holding a most photogenic contest, decorating, providing a parade float, and having winners participate in fair activities.

Lawn Mower Race

Directors: Rusty Gibson
Chairman:

The Lawn Mower Race Committee puts on and promotes the Lawn Mower Races each year the first Sunday of the fair. This involves preparing for and construction of the track, safe, coordination and record keeping on the races day and deconstruction of the track after the races. Good committed committee folks are key to the success of this event.

Life Member/Committeemen Auction

Directors: Vickie Autrey & Pauletta Klemstein
Chairmen: Kim Icenhower & Nanette Price

This committee is responsible for organizing the live and silent auctions at the Life Member/Committeeman Kick-off Party each year. This involves securing donations, set up and decorating the auction area at the event, preparing all auction paperwork, and staffing auction check out to take payment.

Lil Wranglers BBQ Cookoff

Director: Brian Graeber, Chase Raska & Ruben O'Canas
Chairman: Kris Abdi

Young "chefs" show off their cooking skills in this popular competition. Children ages 7-16 grill pork chops and prepare their own creation in the open category.

Livestock

Directors: Ernest Lawson, Bobby Poncik & Jennifer Williams
Chairman: Alan Black & Tiffany Lehman

This committee consists of volunteers who organize and coordinate all livestock activities. Members consist of a hard working group that volunteers year round. Whether its facility setup, tag – weigh or check ins, assisting in the judging arena, animal discharge or tearing down the arena, they do it all. If you enjoy helping the kids one on one, this is the committee for you.

Medical

Director: Rusty Gibson, Larry Loesch & Roy Mercer
Chairman: Kimmy Wukasch

The Fort Bend County Fair Medical Committee is accepting volunteer applications for the 2016 Fair and Rodeo.
The Medical Committee provides triage and first aid to patrons and participants throughout the course of the Fair.
We welcome RNs, LVNs, EMTs, Paramedics and Firefighters that are EMT certified.

Mutton Bustin'

Director: Ernest Lawson & Neil Yelderman
Chairman: Russ Womble

The Mutton Bustin’ Committee consists of volunteers who organize and assist with this crowd-pleasing event which takes place in the O.D. Tucker Arena on Friday and Saturday nights the first and second weekends of the Fair and the afternoon of the second Sunday, which is the final day of the Fair. Volunteer duties include nightly contestant check-in procedures, assist with fitting of safety equipment on contestants, organize and oversee contestant line-up, sheep movement and chute loading, placement of contestants on sheep in chute, arena assistance, & much more.

Open Adult (Creative Arts) Department

Directors: Vickie Autrey & Marjie Pollard
Chairman: Debbie Zwahr

Open Youth/School Department

Directors: Vickie Autrey & Marjie Pollard

Parade

Directors: Neil Yelderman & Ruben O'Canas
Chairman: Karen Wagner

The Parade Committee supervises and assists participants in the preparation of the parade, directs traffic, assists where needed when asked, helps with set up and clean up, and report incidents to supervisors to ensure the safety of parade participants and onlookers.

Parking

Directors: Brian Graeber & Larry Loesch
Chairman: Brad Hart

The Parking Committee consists of volunteers who organize and assist with the parking and traffic control which takes place before the start of the fair during the fair and after. Duties include parking cars along with setting up and breaking down road closures for each night of the fair and various other duties that may be necessary.

Pet Show

Director: Alicia Casias & Margaret Kunz
Chairmen: Becky Zwahr

Queen Scholarship Contest

Directors: Vickie Autrey & Elizabeth Duff Drozd
Chairmen: Michelle Bartee & Lisa Reyes

The Fair Queen Scholarship Contest Committee assists the Fair Queen candidates as they join the race for the crown. When the queen is crowned the committee is responsible for getting her to various events during the fair including livestock shows, meet-and-greets, contests and much more.

Ranch Rodeo

Directors: Neil Yelderman & Ernest Lawson
Chairman: Thomas Snedecor

The Ranch Rodeo Committee consists of volunteers who organize and assist with production of the Ranch Rodeo which takes place on one weeknight during the Fair. Volunteers should be familiar with all aspects of ranch rodeos and be comfortable working around horses and livestock. Duties include livestock handling procedures, opening and closing gates, pushing livestock into arena, moving livestock around holding pens. Overseeing contestant warm up area to keep area clear, and various other duties that may be necessary.

Recycling

Director: Cecil Willis & Margaret Kunz

This committee is one our newer committees. The purpose of this committee is to facilitate the recycling of aluminum, plastic and cardboard.
Containers are placed on the fairgrounds and in buildings to collect these recyclable items. Cardboard is primarily collected in the carnival area and some in the food service area.
The committee is composed of civic organizations that collect the items on our behalf. After collecting the items, the group will take the recyclables and placed them in designated dumpsters to be picked up by a specified company/organization. At present, we are searching for a new group to perform this service.

Reunion Youth Rodeo

Directors: Neil Yelderman & Ernest Lawson
Chairman: Sean Valenta

The Reunion Rodeo Committee consists of volunteers who organize and assist with production of the event which takes place one weekend (Friday & Saturday nights) during the Fair. Volunteers should be familiar with all aspects of rodeo and be comfortable working around horses and livestock. Duties include livestock handling procedures, opening and closing gates, pushing livestock and loading roping chutes, pulling the barrier, working the arena untying calves, placement and pickup of barrels and poles for barrel race and pole bending events, overseeing contestant warm up area to keep area clear, and various other duties that

Rodeo - PRCA

Directors: Neil Yelderman & Ernest Lawson
Chairmen: John Hendrick & Anthony Macha

The PRCA Rodeo Committee oversees all aspects of production of the PRCA rodeo performances, including slack events and contestant services. The pro-rodeo and slack events take place over a 4-day period (Thursday-Sunday) during the Fair. Volunteers should be familiar with all aspects of rodeo and be comfortable working around horses and livestock. Duties include livestock handling procedures, opening and closing gates, pushing livestock and loading roping chutes, pulling the barrier, working the arena untying calves, placement and pickup of barrels for barrel race, overseeing contestant warm up area to k

Rodeo Sweethearts

Directors: Neil Yelderman & Ernest Lawson
Chairman: Jackie Brady & Brittany Moreno

The Rodeo Sweethearts choreograph a routine prior to the fair and carry flags for Parade & Rodeo Grand Entry both weekends. The Ground crew help with flags as well as the safety corridor when riders run in and out of the arena. There are other tasks as needed.

Safety

Director: Roy Mercer, Sean Gutierrez, Larry Loesch & Rusty Gibson
Chairman: David Bialis

The mission of the Fort Bend County Fair Safety Committee is to serve and provide safety to the community at the Fort Bend County Fair and to assist any other committees when needed. The Safety Committee is present on the fairgrounds when the public is present.

Sr. Citizens Day

Directors: James Duke, Margaret Kunz & Jennifer Williams
Chairmen: Carolyn A. Seiler

The Fort Bend County Senior Citizen’s Day Committee is comprised of members who are dedicated to making an exciting and fun filled day for the seniors of our county as part of the Fort Bend County Fair activities. The event is generally held the Monday before the opening day of the fair. The seniors are treated to a morning of beverages, music, bingo, a delicious lunch, and lots of fun and a great time visiting with each other. Duties of the members include planning the events of the day, securing door prizes, helping transport supplies, decorating the building, stuffing goodie bags, and most of all be on hand the day

Silver Spur Fair Club

Director: Calvin Zwahr
Chairman: Dawn Eddleblute

The Silverspur is the members only club for the Lifetime/Committee Members of the Fort Bend County Fair. Committee Members bartend for Lifetime/Committee members and ensure a good time is had by all!

Speakers

Directors: Margaret Kunz & Pauletta Klemstein

This committee has been in existence for a number of years. The Fair is always looking for individuals who enjoy telling the story of our fair. Normally, the speakers will speak to civic organizations that have requested them and some groups the committee has sought out.
Many opportunities exist in this committee. Individuals are needed to prepare the facts each year for the speakers, as well as someone to seek out and schedule the speakers.
The committee absolutely solicits volunteers to assist.

Special Citizens Evening

Directors: Vickie Autrey & Marjie Pollard
Chairmen: Roy Cordes & Nicole Mehrens

The Special Citizens Committee works to get the support of people and organizations; coordinates with individual and group homes, Richmond State Supported Living Center, Texana Center and the ARC; inventories and arranges for supplies, prepares 500 brown bag barbecue lunches, decorates Building B, and arranges entertainment to give our most special citizens an evening they are sure to remember.

Speciality Acts

Director: Louis Katz & Sean Gutierrez

Sponsorship

Directors: Marjie Pollard, Vickie Autrey, Chase Raska
Chairman: Jody Tancred

The Sponsorship Committee works with Sponsorship Chairman, Director(s) in charge and Fair Manager to develop prospective sponsorship contact list, reach out to recruit new sponsors and ensure returning sponsors’ qualifying benefits of sponsorship are received, and attend meetings as well as events held for sponsors. This committee of members and volunteers serve on their sub-committees in Banners, Bartending, Check-in, Hospitality and Sponsor Bags.

Stick Horse Rodeo

Directors: Margaret Kunz & Alicia Casias
Chairman: Jessica Gibson Boudreaux

The Fort Bend County Fair offers a Stick Horse Rodeo. That is, a complete rodeo performance that is a simulation of a real live rodeo with the cowboys and cowgirls riding stick horses. A miniature rodeo arena is set up with a real bucking chute. The little cowboys and cowgirls get to compete in an environment similar to the real cowboys and cowgirls.The rodeo features several events from the following list: Bronco Riding, Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Steer Wrestling, Calf Roping, Show Jumping, Flag Race, Horse Race and Wild Cow Milking/Goat Tail Pulling. The Stick Horse Rodeo last for two hours and events will continue unt

Student Fun Day

Directors: Margaret Kunz & Mark Weber
Chairmen: Charlene Vyvial

Talent Contest

Director: Neil Yelderman
Chairman: Brenda Graeber

This committee organizes and run the best talent contest in Fort Bend County. We set up the Texas Stage and where the judges sit. The committee also provides numbers for the participants and get the privilege of watching and assisting the competitors during the talent show.

TEEA Department

Directors: Vickie Autrey & Marjie Polalrd
Chairmen: Pat May & Pat Walzel

Volunteer Credentials Committee

Director: James Duke
Chairman: Janet Kurtz

Each year, volunteers on fair committees are required to complete an ethics/release of liability form and anti-harassment form.
Upon receipt of these forms, the volunteer is issued proper credentials for the fair.
This committee is responsible for receiving, sorting, and organizing the forms, and then making sure that committee volunteers receive their credentials packet.