History of Panola County Rodeo
By Marylee W. KnightIt is uncertain exactly when the Panola County Fair Association began, but on November 10, 1939 the Association purchased a 23.77 acre tract of land from J.L. Hart. This deed is recorded in Volume 133, page 316 of the Deed Records of Panola Co TX. This land was used to hold an annual fair.
In 1950 the first rodeo was held at the fair grounds. A local participant in the first rodeo was a young bull rider, Robbie LaGrone, of Deadwood. Bleachers for the spectators were rented from Baylor University. For this first rodeo Thomas Allison a concession stand, part of which still remains in 2003. Bill Estes served as the stock contractor.
In 1952, The Panola Watchman listed the officers of the Panola Pioneer Party and Rodeo Committee Chairmen as John Neal, Rodeo Chairman; Alf Jernigan, Chamber of Commerce Manager; Sammye Brown, Chairman of Special Events; Tom Jones, Parade Chairman, Q.M. Martin, General Chairman; Margie E. Neal, Invitation and Reception Chairman; Bill Applegate, Chairman of the Queen's Contest and N.E. "Son" Walker, Chairman of Good Will Tours.
On February 25, 1954 the Panola County Fair Association, acting through F.E. Roberts, President, and witnessed by Alf Jernigan, Secretary, pursuant to a resolution passed by the Board of Directors in a meeting held on January 29, 1954, sold to Panola County a 300 ft. square tract in the southeast corner of the fairgrounds. That parcel is the present location of the headquarters of the Panola County Road & Bridge Department. The deed is recorded in Volume 352, page 239-240
Founders of the Panola County Fair Association later changed the organization to what is known today as the Panola County Cattlemen's Association. The very first officers of the Cattlemen's Association were Ernest Powers, President; Milton Payne, Vice President; C.T. Parker, Secretary/Treasurer. The first board of directions was John Neal, John Pace and Neal Powers.
"But our rodeo effort consists of more than the Rodeo Committee and their tireless work. There are hundreds of people that also help in one way or another.
"The Panola County Cattlemen's Association Rodeo has come a long way since it was started in 1950 and we have plans to make it even better in future years. In 1975, we raised our prize money from $1,500 to $1,850 in order to attract more of the fine cowboys that always come our way."
In 1976 Robby Smith was President of the Panola County Cattlemen's Association and members of the Rodeo Committee, in addition to Peace were Ricky Pride, Amon Turner, Dr. Wayne Kyle, John Spence, David Johnson, Harvey Barney (Western Week Chairman), Dr. H.J. Dubuisson, Bill Clabaugh, Tracy Parker, E.L. Oates, Leland Holland, Charlie Woods, John Goolsby, Robbie Reid, Ovid Evans and Rodney Williams.
Each year the Cattlemen's Association utilizes proceeds from the rodeo to provide college scholarships to area students who are involved in local agricultural clubs and activities.
The Panola County Cattleman's Association does more than sponsor the rodeo each year. It is an organization of ranchers and farmers in Panola County who gather information regarding the livestock market.
The organization also serves to keep producers and local farmers informed on the changing methods of production, as well as sales. In addition, the Cattlemen's Association acts as a source of information for farmers who have questions relating to agriculture and holds programs throughout the year to address problems and solutions. They also provide facilities for the youth and their animals for the many agricultural related events that take place each year.