How the East Texas State Fair Unites Tyler, TX

Courtesy of East Texas State Fair

A vintage photo in the East Texas State Fair (ETSF) office is a favorite for fair President and CEO Cody R. Rosenbalm. He believes the photo of a smiling farmer in dirt-covered overalls sharing a watermelon with a jovial businessman dressed in a suit illustrates the fair’s legacy in the community.

“That picture represents what the fair has always been about in Tyler, and that’s drawing people from all walks of life,” Rosenbalm says. “Originally, it drew farmers into the city, city folks came to see what the farmers had, and it connected those two populations. Now, it’s an event for every part of our community, no matter what demographic.”

Celebrating its 110th year in 2026, the ETSF has grown into a 10-day celebration each September that in addition to agriculture, is committed to education, entertainment and community. From humble beginnings as a showcase for fruits and vegetables, through the addition of livestock exhibitions, carnival rides and games, live entertainment and more, the fair has made ag education a major initiative in recent years.

“Opportunities within youth development organizations like 4-H and FFA continue to grow tremendously,” Rosenbalm says.

In 2025, more than 1,400 youth representing 93 clubs and chapters exhibited livestock. Youth also competed in events such as art and photography, public speaking, plant identification, landscape design and floral design.

Ag education efforts extend to students beyond 4-H and FFA. The fair’s award-winning Ag Education initiative includes free tours for local fourth and fifth grade students during fair week, with an AgVenture exhibit featuring hands-on stations on poultry, beekeeping and agricultural sciences.

These exhibits are designed to teach students about the role agriculture plays in East Texas and help them understand where food comes from, Rosenbalm says. Free student admission tickets are also distributed to schools in Smith County and available online as well, helping ensure students have access to the fair’s educational and cultural experiences.

Michael Cavazos Photography

Riding Into a New Chapter

In 2025, fair organizers added a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA)-sanctioned rodeo. Held during the fair’s first weekend, the rodeo drew sold-out crowds every night and welcomed more than 7,500 attendees to watch bull riding, barrel racing, team roping and other events.

Pickett Pro Rodeo, a Fairfield-based stock contractor, approached ETSF officials with the idea of holding a rodeo. Owner Cullen Pickett says he knew of Rosenbalm’s previous experience working for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

“I’d seen the way people engaged with the rodeo in Houston, which is one of the most diverse cities in America, and it was really inspirational to see how that event could connect the community,” he says. “Once we looked at the idea here, it seemed like a no-brainer.” And Pickett notes that “the community was starved for good entertainment of that caliber, and it showed with having three sold-out performances.”

Pickett says the ETSF rodeo’s success can also be attributed to leadership.

Courtesy of East Texas State Fair

Paying Homage to Heritage

“Cody and everybody involved wanted it to be good, and that’s something we appreciate,” says Pickett, who produces rodeos throughout the country. “Sometimes we go to places, and the attitude is ‘let’s just get through this first year’ and we battle to make sure it’s a quality event. That definitely wasn’t the attitude at Tyler because they had the same mindset as us. We don’t want to put on every rodeo. We want to put on the ones that do really well.”

That focus on quality helped ETSF receive a nomination for PRCA Medium Rodeo of the Year, ranking it in the top five medium-size rodeos in the nation among more than 700 PRCA-sanctioned rodeos. Likewise, Pickett Pro Rodeo received a nomination for Stock Contractor of the Year from PRCA.

With plans underway for the 2026 event, Rosenbalm says the fair of today pays homage to its heritage as a gathering place.

“No matter what corner of the community you come from, there’s something for you here at the fair,” he says. “We’ve taken a responsibility to provide a sense of community in a world that feels like we need more of that.”