October Happenings
Trinity Valley Expo
From the ashes arose the first Liberty County Fair. A fire had swept through and destroyed the business district in Liberty, Texas. Afterward, the community gathered and joined forces, hosting the first annual County Fair at the courthouse in October 1909. Every year since the inspiring beginnings of the Fair, now known as the Trinity Valley Exposition, it has grown to be a standard event, benefiting the youth of both Liberty and Chambers counties with livestock project auctions and by awarding scholarships.
Texas Rice Festival
The Texas Rice Festival started as a one-day affair in Winnie in 1969 and has since grown into an eight-day harvest celebration for almost the last 50 years. The renowned Texas Rice Festival recognizes the significance of rice farming, a major economic activity in the region, especially in the Winnie Area. The festival includes a carnival, livestock show, barbeque cook-off, nightly street dances, parades, pageants, music, great food and, or course rice balls.
What is a rice ball? A rice ball is a combination of several ingredients, but basically begins with a ball of rice with chili inside. It’s then breaded and fried. Volunteers at the St. Louis Catholic Church are responsible for the round, tasty treats, and every year they make an estimated 10,000 to sell in their single largest fundraiser of the year. The St. Louis Catholic Church is just one of the many food booths that are nonprofit, with all their money going back into the community.
Funds generated help pay for 12 different scholarships at participating schools such as East Chambers, Hamshire-Fannett, Anahuac and High Island, plus there are welding and livestock scholarships, and a special scholarship for the Texas Rice Festival Queen.
