TYLER, Texas — The East Texas State Fair announced on Wednesday its new leadership along with relocation plans for the event this fall.
Cody Rosenbalm has been named the new president and CEO of the organization and Michael Stoltz is the new chairman of the Board of Directors.
"The East Texas State Fair was always the home fair for me," Rosenbalm said.
According to the announcement, Rosenbalm is taking over at a critical time for the organization while the fair moves to a new property, located at 11315 State Highway 64 West in Tyler. The 240-acre property, also known as the Park of East Texas, is near the Walmart and expands to Patton Lane (County Road 1135) and reaches State Highway 31.
According to a statement from the city of Tyler in March, the city ended the lease agreement with the East Texas State Fair on Aug. 9, 2023. The fair was held on the fairgrounds near the Tyler Rose Garden for many years prior to the recently built W.T. Brookshire Conference Center opening up.
Fair officials on Wednesday revealed the sign for the big event at the new property.
Rosenbalm said the fair recently purchased 60 more acres of land, making the total 300 acres. He said 50 acres will be used for the first few years of the fair, and the format will look similar to the fairgrounds on Front Street.
"We’re looking at some raw land that is going to be flattened, asphalted, with drains, electricity and all that kind of stuff in just a matter of a few months," he said. "It’s adjacent to our property so it allows us to grow into our original 240 acres. (This land) is going to be asphalted but this is where the fair proper is going to happen."
For the first year, the stock show will be held off site at the Henderson County Expo in Athens a few weeks before the fair starts. Within the next three to five years, they hope to use the land for fairground expansion and eventually add an amphitheater and a large multipurpose room for different expos. The livestock show would be hosted there as well, Rosenbalm said.
"For us it serves the needs of our livestock show, but for the community serves the needs of any other event year-round. We’re hoping to build a very dynamic facility," he said. "It's always been said that the fair could double in size if we just had the space now that we have the space to grow and the resources to grow."
Officials plan to add a lake and walking trail within the 300 acres, he added.
The news release said the plans are to develop the area into a new year-round events park, but the immediate task is establishing the annual fair at the new location.
The 108th annual East Texas State Fair is set for Sept. 20 to 29.
“For over 100 years The East Texas State Fair has been an important part of the history, culture, and economy of the Tyler area,” Rosenbalm said. “It is a privilege to lead this organization and continue to support the mission of agriculture and youth education while providing a family-friendly event that celebrates our community.”
Rosenbalm, an East Texas native, served as the director of marketing at the fair for seven years before spending the past two years as corporate partnerships manager at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the announcement read.
Stoltz has served on the Board of Directors since 2018 and he will now serve a three-term as chairman.
“We believe the organization has tremendous opportunities ahead and Cody has the vision, experience, and enthusiasm to lead us there," Stoltz said. "The community truly loves the Fair and has continued to show strong support. As we move forward with relocation and development, we are excited to see what the future holds.”