Written by Amanda Coers – The Brown County Fair Association is proud to announce the 65th annual Brown County Youth Fair will honor Delton Sweatman for his decades of service. The Brown County Youth Fair will be held January 9-14, 2017 at the Brown County Fairgrounds, 4206 Highway 377 South in Brownwood.
Sweatman was the Founder and Chairman of the Finance Committee for the youth fair from the mid 1970s until 2011. The following year, Sweatman stepped down as chairman, handing the honor to Gayland Miller. An honorary chair was granted to Sweatman who remained as active as possible over the next several years.
“He’s a dear friend to a lot of youth and has impacted many lives in the 47 years he’s worked with the youth fair,” said Miller. “We’re thankful for his legacy of service.”
Sweatman grew up showing animals in Kerrville, including the Grand Champion steer one year. He moved to Brownwood in 1969 and became involved with the youth fair when he served as assistant sheep superintendent for Wallace Perkins. Sweatman has served in the Brown County Fair Association in most every position from president of the board to chairman of several committees. He was instrumental in building the sheep and hog barn, aluminum seating at the rodeo arena, and helped to allocate funds to pay off start up cost of the Fair Association.
Sweatman along with other dedicated members of the committee have worked to increase the amount of money raised from $18,000 in the year of 1970 to over $450,000 in 2016 for the youth of Brown County. In addition to his professional role within the Fair Association Finance Committee, he has also been an active buyer in the premium sale.
In 2012, Sweatman, Putter Jarvis, and Bill Stewart were awarded custom-made belt buckles by the Brown County Youth Fair Association for 40 years of service.
Sweatman also was honored as Grand Marshal for the 50th Annual Rodeo Parade in 2013.
Delton Sweatman moved to Brown County in 1969 with his late wife Cheryl Sweatman. The Sweatmans had two children Troy Sweatman of Early and Kristy Sweatman of Brookesmith. They both have received Grand Champion Steer in past Brown County Youth Fairs. The tradition continued with Sweatman’s two granddaughters Paige and Hannah, as both have received Grand Champion Steer in the Brown County Youth Fair.
