By Ernie Williamson
The Bulletin
The Brazoria County Fair is all in the family for Theresa Theriot.
She is the third generation of her family to serve as president of the Brazoria County Fair Association.
Her father, Gary Parker, served as president of the association in 1997, and her grandfather, Herman Parker, was president in 1991.
Theriot is the first third-generation president in the 84-year history of the association, and it is thought that she is the eighth woman to hold the office and its one-year term.
“It is an honor for our family,” says Gary Parker. “I am proud of her.”
Theriot’s father and mother serve on the association’s executive board, although her father is now a non-voting member.
The association’s mission is to “provide opportunities for Brazoria County youth to gain educational experiences through exhibition of livestock, art, science, rodeo and other youth-related projects."
The association gives out $50,000 a year in scholarships with the goal of giving at least one scholarship to a deserving student in each of the county’s high schools.
As president of this year’s fair, Theriot oversees the work of all the volunteers on committees that make the fair possible. She also collaborates with a 5-person full-time staff.
Although this year’s fair ends its nine-day run at the Brazoria County Fairgrounds on Oct. 22, the fair association stays busy most of the year. Other events include the Science Fair, rodeos for youngsters and the Spike and Spurs Golf Classic.
Other off-season events include the Auto & Bike Show, Cowboys on the Coast Fishing Tournament, Unplugged Cookoff and Vendor Show, 3 Lil’ Wranglers Mutton Bustin’ events and the Raising Champions Livestock Show.
Theriot’s first memory of the fair was when she was 7 or 8. Her family participated in cookoffs, and she, like most kids her age, enjoyed the carnival with its games and rides.
Now that she is following in her father’s footsteps as president of the association, she doesn’t have to look very far to find a sounding board for her decisions. Her dad is a willing listener.
“He doesn’t give me advice so much as just listen to my reasoning for why I am doing certain things,” Theriot says.
(Contact Ernie at williamsonernie@gmail.com. Or, send letters in care of The Bulletin, PO Box 2426, Angleton, TX. 77516)