The Schulze Family will be recognized as the 2019 Fort Bend County Fair and Rodeo Honorees. Actively supporting  the fair for decades as sponsors, buyers, exhibitors, and fair-goers, The Schulze family has passed its commitment to the Fort Bend County Fair from generation to generation. The Schulze family owns and operates Schulze’s Bar-B-Que and Catering and Schulze Family Restaurant. Siblings Teresa Schulze Mielsch, Kathie Schulze Sablatura, and Clifford Schulze have carried on the traditions that their father, Alvin Schulze, started in 1980. The siblings have passed their passion of participating in the fair’s undertakings down to their children and grandchildren. “The Schultze family has always been part of our fair for as long as I can remember. You see their family at the auction, in the livestock arena, in the rodeo arena, and all over the fair. Helping the kids and being there for the kids - that is what their family has always done. The Schulze family is very well-deserving of being honored,” said 2019 Fort Bend County Fair President, Marjie Pollard. 

The Schulze Family is best known for serving up a hot meal. “My first memory of being involved with the fair is catering. We would be catering a reception or event. That is really where it all began,” shares Teresa Schulze Mielsch. For 44 years the Alvin Schulze family has been in the restaurant business. Schulze's Bar-B-Que and Catering is located in Rosenberg, Texas adjacent to the Schulze Family Restaurant.  From finger-licking barbecued pork ribs to mouth-watering chicken fried steak, the menus at either restaurant are full of deliciousness! “We have been proud to be able to cater the buyers’ receptions, cowboy camp, and countless other fair events, it is what we do,” adds Mielsch.

The Schulze and Sablatura family’s participation have continued to grow over the years. “Our involvement quickly evolved into buying at the Jr Livestock Auction. Dad and Clifford started supporting the auction, and as a family, we wanted to help the kids and give back. It is all about helping the kids. It is my favorite part of the fair,” said Mielsch. Year after year the Schulze family and their extended family’s names have been a staple on the buyer’s list. "I am thankful for the Schulze family. Years ago, they purchased my steer. Today I am a college student and can easily thank them for helping me further my education. Raising a steer and making the auction is one part, it is the buyers like the Schulze family who help make dreams come true," said WCJC student, Taylor Lutringer.


Today, the family looks forward to the fair with a certain excitement. Showing animals, participating in the rodeo, volunteering at the Exceptional Rodeo and even helping with media interviews, it really is a family affair. In 2018, Kathie Schulze Sablatura’s grandson, Needville Junior High School’s Brance Farrell, won AOB Grand Champion Steer. The family celebrated the first-place finish and were thrilled to bring home the top honors. In 2016, Coby Sablatura earned Volunteer of the year honors for his hard work with the Rodeo Committee. When Coby passed away in 2017, a tribute was held in his memory and a memorial bench placed in his honor. “The family is always there for our fair, I can call them, and they always want to know what we need to be done. Time and time again, they have always put their best forward for our fair," said President Pollard. 

The Schulze family can be found just about anywhere at the fairgrounds during fair time. From eating tacos at the St. John Fisher booth to playing a pick-up game of football between livestock shows, fair time is enjoyed by all. “I have helped with serving stew at Senior Citizens Day to working the admission gates; the fair is who we are, the Fort Bend County Fair is important to my family and our community. It is part of us,” says Mielsch.  The Schulze family will be part of many fair events including the kick-off parade on Friday, September 27. The 2019 Fair will run from September 27 to October 6. For more information call the Fair Office at 281-342-6171 or visit forbendcountyfair.com.

Friends, family and fair supporters gathered at a reception honoring 2019 Fort Bend County Fair President Marjie Pollard. Pollard, as President, is carrying on a family tradition with her service to the fair, and now her grandchildren represent the 5th generation of her family’s involvement. Pollard is the 83rd president to lead the Fort Bend County Fair. Board-members, Life Directors and many of Pollard’s family shared in the evening, including her husband, Charles Pollard along with one of her grandsons, who shared the duties of saying the invocation.
 
Marjie is a former livestock exhibitor at the fair and has volunteered throughout the years in different roles. From livestock show mom to auction buyer, Marjie is no stranger to the Fort Bend County Fair. We look forward to her term! 

A big thank you and a tip of the hat to all who came out to our Valentine’s Day Dance hosted by the Fort Bend County Fair Association and the Go Tejano Committee. Grupo Solido and Grupo Zamorales kept the dance floor full. It was a great night to raise money for scholarships! 

GET YOUR TICKETS
Join us as the Fort Bend County Fair goes Cajun for our Annual Fort Bend County Fair Crawfish Boil and Fish Fry on Friday, April 12, 2019. The doors will open at 6:30 P.M. for social time and the crawfish will be boiling. Serving will be from 6:30 - 8:00 P.M. Advanced tickets are $40 and can be purchased in the Fair office or online through April 5 (online tickets coming soon). Limited tickets available at the door for $50 for all the mudbugs, and fried fish you can eat and all the good stuff that goes with it. Tea will be provided during the meal. Children 6-11 are $15 and Children 5 and under are free. Proceeds will benefit the Fort Bend County Fair Scholarship program.

Bayou Roux will be providing the music for the evening. A recipe like no other! Like the many ingredients in a simmering pot of gumbo, the Cajun rock band Bayou Roux has blended years of diverse musical background to a unique sound that they like to call the "Cajun Commotion".

GET ENTERED
The Fort Bend County Fair Association will be hosting its annual Boots & Buckles on the Bay fishing tournament in Matagorda on May 18th. Teams will be competing for over $6,500 in cash and prizes. Boots and Buckles will be awarded to the Grand Champion Team in the Rodeo Roundup, 1st Place Trout and 1st Place Redfish along with the Grand Champion Jr. Angler.  Teams registered by May 2 will have a chance to win back their entry fee (Side pots not included)!

The fishing tournament helps bring continued awareness to the Fort Bend County Fair and helps raise scholarship monies.