The 64th annual Four States Fair will not only have the tried and true fair traditions that locals have loved for decades, but also a new twist that taps into a generous spirit.

The fair begins Friday, Sept. 12, with the rough, big wrestlers of “WWE Raw Live,” but there will also be activities both fun and serious going on the whole week long.

Many of the fair events from that Friday through Saturday, Sept. 20, are affiliated with the breast cancer awareness campaign “Tough Enough to Wear Pink.” In Texarkana, the local fair and rodeo effort is being touted as “Paint the Fair Pink” and funds raised will aid the local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure affiliate.

“I think probably the biggest thing that we’re trying to do now is educating people on why the fair theme is ‘Paint the Fair Pink,’” said Lisa Barr, vice president of the Four States Fair and Rodeo.

Originally, fair organizers pegged the annual rodeo itself as a “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” event to raise funds. But then a bevy of other events were added to give more chances to devote proceeds to breast cancer awareness.

Barr said the goal of the campaign is to bring both the rodeo and Western industries together for a cause that affects many, including the rodeo competitors, their families and friends.

Rodeos can sign on to partner with the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” campaign and at the end of the year, clothing manufacturer Wrangler will match funds raised by local committees and events, donating to the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation.

Here’s a rundown of the special “Paint the Fair Pink” events: Doolin’s Harley-Davidson Presents Paint the Fair Pink Parade on Saturday, Sept. 13 (10 a.m.); La Casa Rosa’s Queens Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, Sept. 14 (7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Oasis); Kids’ Stick Horse Rodeo on Wednesday, Sept. 17 (7:30 p.m.); TETWP Carnival Special on Thursday, Sept. 18; TETWP Official Night at the Rodeo on Friday, Sept. 19. Separate from the fair, there’s also a TETWP Clay Shoot scheduled for 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Maud Gun Club.

“It’s encompassed our whole entire fair,” said Barr about “Paint the Fair Pink.”

Stars from “WWE Raw Live” will kick off the fair next Friday in the Entertainment Center at 7:30 p.m. The fair itself starts at 4 p.m. This event replaces the big, opening night concert.

“Wrestling brings in people from all over the place,” said Barr. WWE tickets are $40, $30 and $20.

The next day at 7:30 p.m. is a demolition derby, always a favorite, Barr said. “People love to see them tear up the cars.” Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for children in advance and $14 for adults, $8 for children on the day of the show.

The junior beef cattle show takes place the first weekend, along with the open horse show on Sunday. That same Sunday, the Queens Pancake Breakfast is $5 per person and will be served by the reigning 2007 Four States Fair Rodeo Queen, Katie Crews, the 2008 Rodeo Queen contestants and other rodeo royalty.

Sunday is also E-Z Mart Family Day with all rides $1 per ride with a sticker available at local E-Z Mart stores.

Monday through Wednesday are billed as Ride ’Em Cowboy Nights. For $18 in advance or $20 at the door you get unlimited rides.

On Wednesday of fair week, the open goat show and junior market lamb show take place. Wednesday is also Kids’ Night at the rodeo. You can register youngsters at Cavender’s Boot City to participate in the Kids’ Stick Horse Rodeo. The cost for that is $10.

Thursday’s Carnival Special, also called “Pink Night at the Fair,” gives a two-for-one price deal on rides for people who wear pink. Friday is the official “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” night at the rodeo, and all rodeo participants will wear pink that night.

“A percentage of that night’s proceeds from the rodeo will go toward ‘Tough Enough to Wear Pink,’” said Barr.

The Four States Fair PRCA Rodeo runs from Wednesday, Sept. 17, through Saturday, Sept. 20. Tickets are $15 for box seats, $12 for adults and $8 for children.

Saturday, the last day of the fair, brings the open dairy show in the livestock barn and the last night of the rodeo.

Nightly entertainment will be presented on the outdoor stage. The Ag Learning Center will be open all week for the kids with educational exhibits, games and fun activities. Also, the petting zoo barnyard, rebuilt after it burned, will be open for people who want an up-close look at the barnyard critter crew.

Fair admissions are $5 for adults, $3 for kids and $3 for parking. “We have the fun pass again this year and it’s unlimited rides and admission for the nine days of the fair,” Barr said. That ticket is $50 in advance.

She said for tickets this year, advance prices are good through Thursday for the indoor events. Tickets for those events include admission to the fair.



(Tickets for Four States Fair events can be purchased online at www.fourstatesfair.com. More info: 870-773-2941.)