New Brazoria County Fair Director Takes Charge | News

Before taking on her new role, Vasquez worked as a livestock coordinator for nine years.

“When the position became available, I felt it was time to move on,” she said. “I know the fair, I love the fair. The fair is actually my home and I just want to be able to give something back.”

As livestock coordinator, Vasquez was responsible for the entire livestock department.

“This includes working with the livestock chair, submitting annual role changes, working on their budgets and ordering all awards and accolades,” Vasquez said. “Then for the trade show, we actually need to be able to put together the shows and create reports so that those shows can run efficiently.”

In this role she was also responsible for looking after the exhibitors. For the 2024 fair, there will be around 690 exhibitors at all livestock fairs, presenting cattle, goats, rabbits, lambs and other animals.

“I showed it and my kids showed it,” Vasquez said.

She showed lambs and heifers.

When Vasquez was 20, she became a 4-H leader.

4-H is an organization that engages students in a variety of opportunities including agricultural and community involvement.

The journey from appearing at a trade fair to becoming a leader and taking on the role of trade fair manager is in full swing.

“She’s been here for many years,” said fair accountant Wende Hester. “She has a lot of knowledge.”

This is the third mass in which Hester is involved.

“I think it was eye-opening for her because there's a lot more than I think she expected, but she did a very good job,” Hester said. “She’s up to the challenge.”

Vasquez oversees the daily operations of the staff and works with the general managers to ensure everything is running smoothly and items, including belts and food containers, are ordered.

Among the dozens of events at the fair, her favorite is the Brazos Bill Show, which takes place at 10 a.m. Oct. 17 in the Livestock Show Arena.

Vasquez launched it in 2019.

“This is a trade show where we allow children with disabilities to come in and work with an exhibitor who is already here,” she said. “It gives children with disabilities the opportunity to show that they have no other option.”

The children are offered lambs, goats and cattle. Parents can help choose the best animal and participation in the event is free.

“This is a fun event,” Vasquez said. “I actually got all of my exhibitors so excited to sign up for this because they love working with the kids and being able to help.”

The fair takes a year to prepare and provides an opportunity for the community to support the youth of Brazoria County.

“That’s what the fair is about: being there for these kids, raising money for them and giving them experiences they might not have anywhere else,” Vasquez said.