The Young Men’s Business League of Beaumont will present the 81st year of the South Texas State Fair, March 27-April 6 at Doggett Ford Park.
The non-profit YMBL was founded by Ed Paggi on May 4, 1971, alongside like-minded individuals who wanted to go above and beyond for their community. One of the many ways YMBL gives back to the community is through their fundraiser, the South Texas State Fair.
“It takes about 300 volunteers, and we all dedicate our time to doing this,” chairman Robert Jacobs said. “This is our fundraiser, and we give back to the community and organizations within the community every year.”
The South Texas State Fair is the second largest fair in Texas, bringing in 200,000 to 300,000 guests during the 11 days of rodeo and bull rides, contests, entertainment and animal auctions, with food and merchandise vendors from across the United States. The fair also includes traditional rides.
Out of the 11 days of fair fun, there will only be five days where guests can purchase a wristband that allows them to ride all rides for one price.
“We discounted all our wristbands for the same price, but we don’t offer wristbands every day,” Jacobs said. “We have some lines that sponsor that’s $2 a ride.”
Originally known as the Beaumont Fair in 1907, then the Southeast Texas State Fair, and now the South Texas State Fair since 1921, the fair is ever changing, this year being no different.
“The new thing this year will be our security at the front gates where we will be initiating the clear bag policy,” Jacobs said. “Diaper bags and medical bags are permitted and will be subject to be searched.”
The policies are not the only thing new this year, as the YMBL is making some changes to its petting zoo. Jacobs said they are doubling up on the exotic animals by allowing guests to ride camels and ponies and introducing a new bottle feed exhibit where people can feed some of the baby animals.
“And then they’re actually allowing you to do something with cuddling a baby calf and some of the new babies out there,” Jacobs said.
Attendees will also notice changes inside the arena.
“We’ve added the sports bar in there, so you come in and watch March Madness and have an adult beverage inside the exhibit hall, where it’s nice and cool,” Jacobs said.
The YMBL is known to bring family entertainment for community members, and the South Texas State Fair is guaranteed to have something for everyone around Texas to enjoy, Jacobs said.
“We have Louisiana, South Texas, Houston, Jasper, North Texas, Sour Lake, we got all the counties around Jefferson County that attend,” Jacobs said.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ymbl.org.