About

Gillespie County Fairs & Festivals Association present fairs, festivals, and family entertainment, for Fredericksburg Texas fun!

Overview

The Oldest Continuous County Fair in Texas, the Gillespie County Fair & Festivals Association, Inc. presents fairs and festivals to the community and develops programs that encourage, instruct and promote the education of the youth of Gillespie County – with emphasis on agriculture. The fairgrounds are also available for public and private functions such as wedding receptions, exhibits, and meetings.

The Gillespie County Fair & Festivals Association brings you the best in old-fashioned fun plus the freshest family entertainment you’ll find anywhere in the Lone Star State!

Every summer comes out to the Oldest, Continuous County Fair in Texas. Relive the fun of the midway, the flavor of funnel cakes and sausage-on-a-stick, the pageantry of the Queen Contest, and the judging of pies, cakes, cookies, and quilts.

Place your bets at our Pari-mutuel Horse Races. Enjoy exciting summer weekends railside, feeling the pounding hooves and cheering on your favorites.

All year round we host many memorable events, from professional bull riding to gun and knife shows to country craft markets to dinners, dances, and pageants. (Check out our calendar for upcoming events)
Have an event you’d like to see? Rent our facilities! We offer lots of room, a variety of venues, and reasonable rates–perfect for your festival, exhibit, wedding, or other occasions.

General Information

The Gillespie County Fair, located in Fredericksburg, Texas, was founded in 1881. Except for brief periods during WWI and WWII, the Fair has been held every year since, making it the Oldest Continuous County Fair in Texas.

In 1883, the first Gillespie County Fair was held east of Fredericksburg on what had once been Fort Martin Scott. The site had been purchased by John W. Braeutigam, in 1870 after the Civil War, and became “Braeutigam’s Garten,” a dance hall. The abandoned fort parade grounds were dragged by logs for use as the first racetrack. Turner Hall, in the 100 blocks of West Adams between Schubert and Travis Streets, was the second location called Central Park. The race track was two blocks long on East Travis Street.

In 1892, the 400 blocks between South Adams and South Lincoln became the third site of the Gillespie County fair. The area is still referred to as “the old fairgrounds” and is the home of HEB Grocery store and the City’s Fair Park. In 1976, the Fairgrounds moved to its current location adjacent to the county airport on Highway 16 South.

Racing has always been a large part of the Fairgrounds’ entertainment. Horse races, especially, are a big attraction. Sulky, or trotting races, also have been held, as well as bicycle races. One year three elephants raced.

Baseball games were held on the track in front of the grandstands and suspended during a race. The players would line the fences and watch. During the early years, Fredericksburg and Stonewall had polo teams.

The Golden Jubilee Fair was celebrated in 1935. The catalog produced for the occasion explained how the “Great Depression” had seriously affected the area, but the Fair had continued under some trying conditions. Two banks closed in 1932, but the economy was picking up by the 50th Anniversary Fair and several of the merchants advertised on red and blue sheets inserted in the center of the catalog.

The 100th Anniversary was a spectacular centennial celebration. A parade that included all past Fair Queens and Duchesses began the festivities in the traditional manner.

Today the Gillespie County Fair Grounds hosts major events that attract thousands of visitors and local residents. We invite you to join us this season and help us add to our colorful history!