Welcome to Jim Hogg County Fair

March 17 & 18, 2023 • Hebbronville, TX

The Jim Hogg County Fair is the longest running festival in the county.  The Jim Hogg County Fair was officially organized under the name “The Jim Hogg County Fair Association” on May 24, 1985, however, the annual event dates back much further.  In 1985, Mr. E.G. Nava was elected as its first president.  In this same year, Marissa Ramirez was crowned Miss Jim Hogg County Queen.  Shortly thereafter, in 1987, The Little Mr. and Miss Jim Hogg County was introduced with Albert Pena and Leslie Garza taking the title.  In 1988 The Jim Hogg County Fair Association began recognizing local ranchers for their continuous support and generosity and named Ascension Martinez as the Rancher of the Year. With no permanent facilities to call its own, the County Fair used whatever facilities it could to hold its show. In its early days, the American Legion once a year became known as the Fairgrounds.

In 1994, the Jim Hogg County Fair Association formally announced the purchase of a permanent location and has since been the home of the Jim Hogg County Fair. In addition to the purchase, additional land was donated to the association by the family of Aris Barrera. This location has grown over the years to include the biggest dance hall in the county, known by everyone as the Jim Hogg County Fair Pavilion.  An outdoor pavilion was later constructed as well as the show barn, which houses all the livestock.

The center attraction of the county fair has always been the livestock show.  Throughout the existence of the Fair, many species have been shown by the FFA and 4H exhibitors competing for the events highest honor, “Grand Champion”.  Some of these species include Steers, Bulls, Heifers, Lambs, Hogs, Goats, Fryers and Rabbits.  Other exciting events have since been added to the county fair such as the Trail Ride, Carnival, Parade, Youth Day and Cook-off to name a few. 

The goal of the Fair Association is to promote agricultural and animal husbandry, education, entertainment, competition, youth development and community outreach.

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2023 Rancher of the Year 

Victor Manuel Garcia 

The Jim Hogg County Fair Association has named Victor Manuel Garcia the 2023 Rancher of the Year.  Victor is no stranger to ranching.  From an early age, he spent countless hours working cattle and repairing windmills alongside his uncles Manuel, Emiliano, Isidro, and Lauro Vela at the family ranch.  He attributes his ranching knowledge and background to the Vela Brothers.  He has a love for ranching, and he strongly feels that the family ranch is what it is today not because of what he does but because of what his ancestors built.  The family ranch, El Puerto, was established in 1820.  In 2021, El Puerto Ranch received recognition at the 45th Annual Texas Department of Agriculture’s Family Land Heritage Program for 200 years of operation.

Victor graduated from San Diego High School in 1963 where he was active in FFA all four years.  Upon graduation, he attended Del Mar College and Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas.  After a successful career as an independent welder, he retired in 2014.  Since then, he has managed El Puerto Ranch full-time and carries on the cattle ranching tradition. He enjoys every minute of ranching.

Victor is married to his wife of 30 years, Fantina T. Garcia.  His children are Angela Arredondo, Victor M. Garcia, Jr., Clarissa Ybanez, and Claudia Esquivel.  They are all graduates of Hebbronville High School and were participants in the Jim Hogg County Fair.  Victor believes in the benefits and advantages of a strong, agricultural education and instills this belief in his grandchildren.  He believes it is important to encourage the culture of ranching in today’s youth.