The first Kendall County Fair was held in Boerne in 1905. Communication was very limited so it was imperative that a central meeting be held at least annually so the people of the area would have a chance to exchange ideas, recipes and news of events.
Thus was born the idea of the county fair, and the people of the county gathered in the “Opera House” in downtown Boerne to hold the first Kendall County Fair on Sept. 4, 1905. On March 14, 1913, residents of Kendall County gathered for a mass meeting for the purpose of organizing a Kendall County Fair Association.
This year, the Kendall County Fair will celebrate 118 years.
The corporation charter was granted on July 1, 1913, and the newly formed Kendall County Fair Association was presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by The Ferdinand Ludwig Von Herff Family. Fifty-Five acres of land was deeded to the association from the Herff Family extensive holdings east of town, for the association to hold a yearly fair and erect buildings to house the event.
To ensure the continuation of the fair for those generations that followed, the deed also prohibited the sale of the property. The Kendall County Fair has been held annually (except during the war years and in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
The purpose of the annual fair is to display the best agriculture products and livestock from Kendall County and the surrounding hill country area. Its purpose is educational, and its main objective is to encourage and develop farming and ranching in line with modern development as an educational and social institution.
The Kendall County Fair Association governing board now consists of 21 active voting director members. The association is honored to have senior directors of whom have served nine or plus years as a director. The association has over 2,500 lifetime members.
The Kendall County Fair offers its patrons a real opportunity to participate in the benefits offered. The association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with officers and directors serving without remuneration. All profits from the various activities held are used to further the interest of the association and for improving properties and the grounds.
The association's officials would like to welcome area residents and visitors to the fair. The fair would not be possible without the support of Kendall County and the surrounding area.
As we are reminded of our past and look to the future, we welcome your comments and suggestions and hope that you will help us make this annual event enjoyable and memorable for everyone attending.
We cannot do this alone; we need you and your support to continue our main purpose and objectives for the younger generations to come.
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