The
Cooke County Fair Association (CCFA) has been in existence since 1871,
taking its current name and purpose in 1939. Our mission is to support
youth education and development,
continuing education, recreation and economic expansion for the people
of Cooke County and the surrounding areas. CCFA is a 501 (c) 3
organization. Over
these many years the association has faced many challenges, being
forced to locate to a new home five times. In 1983 the board of directors
were able to overcome that problem by purchasing forty-seven acres of
land, which was easily accessible, being located very near the junction
of two major highways, I 35 and U.S. Hwy 82.
On April 28, 2006 a storm came through Gainesville and completely destroyed the Cooke County Fairgrounds facility. Prior to the storm in 2006, CCFA catered to other non-profit groups. They served 4-H,Future Farmers of America (FFA), Family, Career & Community Leaders of American youth (FCCLA), Texas AgriLife Extension Service, agriculture programs, youth development programs, such as Youth Safety Day Camp; farmers markets, local and national dog shows, the miniature horse industry, goat and dairy goat shows, regional goat symposium, meetings for various organizations such as our local Cooke County Beef Cattle Improvement Association, and for local church and community events hosted by service organizations such as the Kiwanis. One special group we have provided for in the past is our Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville by providing shelter for the animals during flooding.
The board of directors are working to complete a new facility, replacing the one destroyed by a storm. We are viewing this situation as an opportunity to improve, taking into consideration the shortcomings of the past and planning for the projected growth in the future.
Throughout the years, the CCFA has called several locations around Gainesville home. The current location was purchased in 1983 and a fair barn was constructed in 1986. At this facility, many events and meetings were held which were beneficial as educational opportunities, fund raisers, and recreation for other non-profit groups, the local population and people in the surrounding areas.
