Country Fair draws hundreds, raises funds for community

ROCKWALL, TX (June 16, 2014) The first ever Rockwall Country Fair kicked off the summer with continuous live music, a diamond dig, a chili cook-off, tents full of vendors, and plenty of games for kids.

The event was presented by Soroptimist International with the support of the Rockwall Economic Development Corporation, Rockwall Ford and Lake Pointe Medical Center. Soroptimist Treasurer Judy Canterbury said she estimates approximately 500 people attended and the event raised over $30,000 total.

Profits from the event will go towards various community programs such as the New Beginning Center, the WomenAid healthcare program, the We Expect Respect high school and middle school program, Boy and Girls Club of Rockwall, and Soroptimists Toasting Area Retired Seniors (STARS).

Canterbury said that in the past, Soroptimist has used galas and the Rockwall Idol talent show to raise funds, but this year the club wanted to provide the community with a family event.

“It was a lot of work,” she said. “Like all first year events, we had our glitches. But we really feel like we did a lot for the community. It was very rewarding to see the people enjoying themselves and to know we were raising money too.”

The fair’s chili cook-off featured six different entrants, including the Rockwall Police Department and the Rockwall Fire Department. The winner of the coveted best tasting chili award was Chisholm Ranch BBQ for their “brisket chili.”

Will Kincaid provided the crowd with a country soundtrack while they chowed on chili at the beginning of the evening. He was followed by the Dixie Grand Cloggers and the Cotton Creek Blue Grass Band. Then the Rockwall Square Dancing Club not only performed for the crowd, but also invited guests on stage to help demonstrate.

Fairgoers also had the chance to dig up diamonds and take them home. Thirty cut diamonds were dispersed throughout troughs full of dirt, and guests could purchase digging time slots for $5.

Booths full of hand-made crafts, jewelry, clothes, and food lined the perimeter of the fairgrounds. Five of these booths were also raising funds for non-profit organizations. Even more tents offered country-style games for kids.

Guests could also enter a cake walk in hopes of taking home some baked goods, or purchase a square in cow patty bingo. As the cow wandered its pen doing its business, fairgoers could win cash if the cow chose to use the square they selected. Canterbury said all 20 available squares were purchased, which raised $1,000.

Canterbury said she was happy with the way the event turned out, and that she is still in the process of totaling up the money it earned for the community. She wasn’t sure if the fair would be back next year.