Texas Tech University

Panhandle South Plains Fair Endowed Scholarship

The Panhandle South Plains Fair Scholarship Endowment was established in 1978 by Herbert Higgs and the Panhandle South Plains Fair Scholarship Association. These scholarships are available to students enrolled in the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources who show qualities of leadership, citizenship and character.

The first Fair was held in the fall of 1914. There were no fairs held during the World War II years of 1942-45. The annual extravaganza of today bears little resemblance to the first Fair, but one tradition remains firmly intact: the goal of the Fair, which is to strengthen community ties within our region and promote growth and prosperity throughout Lubbock and its surrounding communities.

In 1921, the Fair brought the first carnival to the city. Culinary, sewing, and craft categories were added to provide competition for women. The first livestock competitions also began this year. Business in Lubbock was growing, and the Fair catalog was a natural place to promote the town's merchants. By 1928, the Fair had grown in popularity to the point that it was lengthened from three days to six. The 1928 Fair drew more than 120,000 patrons. The Fair's run remained at six days until 1973, when it was lengthened to eight days. In 2000, the fair was extended to nine days. Today, the Panhandle-South Plains Fair is known as "The Granddaddy of West Texas Fairs," and ranks second only to Dallas's State Fair of Texas in attendance and continuous history.

In 1972, Fair directors began a scholarship program that, to date, has contributed more than $500,000 to Texas Tech University, Lubbock Christian University, South Plains College, Western Texas College, Wayland Baptist University, and area chapters of 4-H and FFA.

To support this scholarship, please visit the Panhandle South Plains Fair Endowed Scholarship gift page.

Contact

Alex Yack
Alex.Yack@ttu.edu
Senior Director of Development
806.742.2802

Matt Williams
matt.williams@ttu.edu
Associate Director of Development
806.742.2802

Tanner Rex
tanner.rex@ttu.edu
Assistant Director of Development
806.742.2802