The annual Roby Fair — an event that draws big crowds to the northwest Texas County community — took place last Saturday.
Organizers said it was one of the biggest in recent years, and an estimated 1,500 people attended.
Children were able to play carnival-like games for prizes, ride power wheels around the race track, pet lots of animals (including an alpaca), ride ponies, test their skills with a mechanical bull and race their friends up an inflatable obstacle course. Heartland Helicopters provided rides.
In addition to all the fun, the annual “Roby Nationals” softball tournament featured five teams. A volleyball tournament returned this year, and Roby Baptist Church topped a seven-team field.
The event’s annual parade lasted more than 30 minutes, with a lineup of roller skaters, floats, tractors, horses, other vehicles and more, led by Grand Marshals Jim and Patsy Niebreugge.
The Niebreugges.
Live music was provided in the morning by the band, “One,” and gospel music was performed in the afternoon. Then many people danced the night away with music provided by DJ Lew from the Road Show.
More than 25 vendors traveled from towns far and near (including Mountain View, Salem, Waynesville and Lebanon) along with many local residents. Organizers said it was a great time for churches to outreach, school groups to fund raise and local businesses to sell or promote their goods and services.
The Citizen Center hosted a fundraiser breakfast. There were six or more lunch vendors, and a whole hog was roasted for the fair fundraiser dinner.
Roby Fair contest winners:
•Sack Races – Oscar Phillips and Chloe Cook; and Charles Fraley and Adelyn Phillips.
•Turtle Races – Joshiah Sutton.
•Three-legged race – Adelyn Phillips and Evy Phillips.
•Watermelon Eating Contest – Daniel Sutton (younger group); LJ Sutton (older group, third year in a row).
•Greased pig (winners received a medal and a pig) – 3-4, Haylee Thompson; 5-7, Presley Wade; 8-12, Jed Plank and Ben Sutton; 13-17, Arden Lynch, adult, Don Bilderback (second year in a row).