It’s fair season for the Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo, and it’s Esperanza Committee is focusing all their efforts on getting the Hispanic community to attend.

Historically, the fair hasn’t had too great of a Hispanic turnout, leaving many families to miss out on fun, food and even scholarships for their children.

“The Esperanza Committee was created in order to involve more Latinos in agriculture education, and the hot fair and rodeo,” says Jessica Juarez, the Chairperson for Esperanza.

The 15 member committee has worked tirelessly to encourage Hispanic families to attend the fair.

“We feel like we’re in a small bubble, and we gotta get out and meet more people and get more excited. We gotta make sure they know us they see us as Latinos” says Esperanza member Endi Jimenez Leal.

The H.O.T. Fair and Rodeo also provides scholarship opportunities of up to $15,000.

“Sometimes the Hispanic community doesn’t take advantage of this and that’s where we come in, to get the exposure and say hey, everybody qualifies for this.” says Jonathan Olvera, an Esperanza member.

Esperanza hopes to see a big Hispanic turn out this year. If you need help just keep an eye out for their green polos.

“It’s a lot of hard work, sometimes were out in the heat, sometime it’s cold…You never know what it’s going to be like with the fair…we’ve had tornadoes as well,” says Juarez.

This year, you won’t see the traditional carnival rides and games at the fair, but you can still enjoy fair food classics, the rodeo, calf scramble and more.

This weekend kicks off the livestock show, rodeo and calf scramble competition.

Fair officials are asking people to social distance, and face masks will be required.

—KXXV