Derrick Miller
The Duncan Banner
DUNCAN —
This weekend, the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center will be the place to be when it comes to events in the community.
Beginning Friday afternoon and running all day Saturday, the Rabbit Breeders Show will take place at the fairgrounds. From Friday through Sunday, the fairgrounds will also feature the MidSouth Rodeo Cowboy Association Rodeo Finals.
Jeannie Bowden, fairgrounds manager, said, “Each event means tourism, basically. Even events done by local people, bring in people from nearby counties, who may have to get gas or make a stop by Wal-Mart.
“The MRCA Rodeo brings in people from outside our local area. And those people will be staying in hotels.”
Bowden said these events, much like the Stephens County Free Fair that had been at the fairgrounds this past weekend, will encourage tourism, even if participants are local, because people enjoy eating at restaurants when they’re attending such programs.
She said the Stephens County community benefits from having events, not just because of tourism dollars, but also because of the exposure each event brings to the fairgrounds.
The Rabbit Breeders Show, which is headed up by Duncan residents C.M. and C.J. Carroll, comes to the fairgrounds several times a year. Bowden said the rabbit show is a well-established event, which brings people from around the area to the fairgrounds.
“The rabbit show has taken place for many years,” Bowden said.
She said many people ask about rabbit shows during the free fair, and she tells them about the rabbit show coming up the following weekend.
“We always have a lot of requests for rabbit shows,” Bowden said.
In addition to the rabbit show, she said the MRCA Rodeo is also an important event for the Fair & Expo Center. Bowden said the event has several local participants, and the organization often does service projects when the event comes to the community.
Bowden said she knew of a few local youths who were planning on participating in the rodeo finals.
Seeing the people heading out to the event is something she enjoys seeing because she knows they’re there to have a good time, she said.
“Absolutely, I’m looking forward to the weekend,” Bowden said. “Our people are making the facility ready for them.”
“We always love to see that event come here because of the children,” Bowden said.
— Derrick Miller is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 160, or via e-mail at derrick.miller@duncanbanner.com.
