Well, it is finally here, the Trinity Community Fair Association Fair and Livestock Show. The Fair actually starts on Friday and ends on Saturday. The Fair is still one of the last free Fair in East Texas, but a lot of changes have occurred in the last 76 years of operation.
What a great job the Trinity Newspaper did of announcing the changes in last week’s issue which listed the schedule of activities, so no one has to miss any event or the students showing of animals.
The second change was applying for vendor booth spaces. Closing applications to the community fair because there were too many vendors requesting booth spaces was a shock. Inside and outside spaces were closed in the last week of August, and many people were upset and complained as they had participated in the Fair for years and now couldn’t.
The third change was the route of the annual parade location. It starts at the VFW Hall on Caroline Street and travels the back roads to Stadium Street and ends at the Trinity Community Center. It starts at 10 a.m. and the Grand Marshall for the 2025 Parade is the Beautification Committee of Trinity, appointed by the Mayor of Trinity, Billy Goodin.
The Trinity Peninsula Chamber of Commerce always applies for two booth spaces in June so its members can sell their wares and pass out literature about the Trinity Community. In the last few years, we have requested inside booths because of our age, and comfort from the heat. No rain is forecasted but the heat this year will still be in the 90-degree range.
Lanora Ainsworth, member of the VFW, has participated in the Trinity Community fair for more than 50 years. She will be selling her homemade baked goods in the Chamber booth that is located by the door near the kitchen. This year she is selling mainly candies and cookies. By seven o’clock on Saturday night she will be sold out of inventory. I usually buy items from her early on Saturday morning so I can take home a stache to last me a few days.
This year she has the usual: bon bons, pralines, divinity, white chocolate pecan pieces, peanut brittle, pecan clusters, chocolate chip cookies, and slices of her famous Texas praline cake. She said she was not cooking pies and cobblers this year as she does many bake sales for the VFW Post 6899 to help raise money for their projects and charities this year.
I will be selling Halloween baskets that I put together to benefit the Martin Senior Center. The patronage is down with the continued summer heat. However, the first day of Fall is Tuesday, Sept. 23, with no rain in sight for the fair days, but some rain forecasted for Houston on the weekend. Can you believe we have not had one Hurricane in the Gulf so far this year? The last time there were no hurricanes off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic was in 1992.
Trina Suddeth will be selling handmade quilts in the Chamber booth and giving out brochures regarding the events happening in Trinity during October. For instance, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church’s Fall Festival and Raffle, the TPCC 5K Run at Camp Cullen, the Trinity Lions Club Pet Show, and the Trinity Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Christmas Show the first Saturday in December.
I visited my first Trinity Fair in September of 1997 27 years ago. One of the first people I met at the fair was Jannette Hortman in the exhibit hall. Last month Jannette Hortman celebrated her 90th birthday and was given a grand birthday celebration. Mrs. Hortman was a special teacher in the TISD system, and she was a mentor to many students throughout her career and many still remember her as adults. I watched and was able to serve and to follow her lead for these last 27 years.
•When I began writing this column in the wee hours, I turned on my phone to Facebook and I was moved to tears. Robert Redford had passed away. We are the generation next to meet our maker. When someone is your age, it is sadder regarding their demise as you feel like you have lived their life with them. He was not only a great actor and director, but a good guy. He will surely be missed by Hollywood and his friends.
•I am going to list two events that I have listed before, but I will list details of these events so you can prepare for this festival and save your money to spend on this community event.
First is Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church Fall Festival and Raffle. They kick off with a barbecue and Bingo Friday, October 24. The barbecue chicken and sausage dinner start at the fellowship hall at 5 p.m. and costs $15 per plate. The Bingo game starts at 6 p.m. and the cost to play is $10 a card. The public is invited to attend.
On Sunday, Oct. 26, the Fall Festival starts at 11:30 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. There will be raffles, food booths, a cake booth, ice cream, vendor booths, face painting, and youth and teen games. The Church is located at 401 Prospect Drive and for more information, please call the church office or Iris Alaniz at (713) 253-6221.
Second is the Trinity Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 5K Run on Saturday, Oct. 4, starting at 460 Cullen Loop at the YMCA Camp Cullen located off FM 356. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the Trinity Run starts at 9 a.m. Come run or walk on the paths of Camp Cullen for fresh air and safe surroundings. For more information, please call Areia Bacon at (936) 714-1026 or camp Cullen at (936) 592-2274. Volunteers are welcome and sponsors and donations are still needed.
Here again are the Events I have listed for October, so you can save the dates. Don’t forget Homecoming Football Game is in October also.
•October Events:
New: Oct. 4, Trinity Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is hosting a 5K Run at Camp Cullen.
Oct. 4, The VFW will host Eddie and Maxey’s Afternoon Dance from noon to 4 p.m. and the cost is $15 per person. The band is the Winchester Band. The bar is open, but snack bar is closed.
Oct. 18-31, Trinity Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser
Oct. 18, Trinity Lions Club Second Annual Pet Show and Expo
Oct. 24, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church Bingo Barbecue
Oct. 25, Trinity County Veterans Wall of Honor Society 18th Fundraiser
Oct. 26, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church Fall Festival
Oct. 31, Treats on the Street, Halloween Festival on Elm Street, 6:30 p.m.
The last month of Friday class ends Oct. 31. Starting the first week of November, no more Friday classes, and there are many holidays in November which include the week celebrating Thursday, Nov. 27, Thanksgiving Day.
•November Events:
Nov. 11, Veterans’ Day Holiday
Nov 24-28, Thanksgiving Holidays for students
Nov. 27, Thanksgiving Day
•December Events
Dec. 6, TPCC Christmas Show and Parade, at the Trinity Community Center at 10 a.m.
Dec.18, Early release day for Christmas/Winter Break
Dec. 19, TISD Student Winter Break
Dec. 25, Thursday, Christmas Day
Students return to school on Jan. 6, 2026.
See you at the Pumpkin Patch.
