Greetings from the Expo!

By Burt Hairgrove

Springis almost here! 2023 is moving fast! We are coming off of a great winter run of events. Every weekend but one in January and February was booked. Traditionally, winter brings a bit of a slowdown in the action for us out here. However, as groups realize what a great deal Lufkin Texas is we have gotten busy!

Last month, we were proud to host the 38th Annual Bull Bash. This is a Lufkin tradition and contestants traveled from across the country to compete at the Expo.

Youth rodeo, as a category, is growing by leaps and bounds. We continue to see more families and young cowboys and cowgirls get involved in the western lifestyle. We are home to 5 different youth rodeo organizations and are proud to be the headquarters for the sport in our region.

With our seating capacity, the number of stalls, and RV hookups, we compare favorably with some of the best facilities in the country.

Another strong point in our favor is the support we receive from the community at large. From the city to county level, I continue to be humbled by the response from our officials when called upon. This Expo Center is a juggernaut to operate with a lot of moving parts. However, without people, it is no better than a huge haybarn or airplane hangar. We, the Expo are happy to do our best to keep this facility ready for action and promote it in a way that keeps it attractive to new groups that bring visitors to Lufkin. Here are a few events we have coming up:

March 4: UBank presents Scotty McCreery benefiting the East Texas Food Bank

March 10-13: Pineywoods Youth Rodeo Association – www. pineywoodsrodeo.com MarcMarch 21-25 Angelina County Fair – www.angelinacountyfair.com

April 8-9: Region V of the Texas High School Rodeo Association – www.thsra5.comApril 20-23 Angelina Benefit Rodeo – www. angelinabenefitrodeo.comApril 29-May 1: Next Generation/ VegasTuffest Qualifier Youth Calf Roping and Barrel Race –www.johnsonsportline.com

Make plans to come out and attend. As always, See you at the Expo! Burt