Bonham, Texas -- If you don't already know why people fall in love with the peaceful, friendly lifestyle of rural Texas towns, all you had to do was be in historic downtown Bonham on Saturday night to find out. Although this annual event produced by Fannin Agricultural Association, Inc. attracts people from throughout the region, it felt like a delicious steak dinner with 1,100 of your closest friends, followed by a free concert by Cody Canada & The Departed.
Busy week in Bonham
For the second time in a week, Fannin County, Texas was arguably the place to be in North Texas. On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse attracted countless visitors to the county, but, in terms of hustle and bustle, that event was easily eclipsed by the Second Annual Steaks on Main Ribeye Cook-off. By 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning, downtown Bonham was packed as teams set up for a friendly steak-cooking competition that had the grills smoking until sunset. All 1,100 tickets has been sold well before noon.
The first set of competition ribeyes went before the judges at 11:00 a.m. Saturday. Jaylen Wallace, President of Fannin Agricultural Association, briefed the group on the various criteria, including the appearance of the steak, doneness, tastiness and tenderness. As difficult as it may be to choose between the finest of ribeyes prepared by experts, by all accounts this is a most enviable task. A hush settled over the room as judges put on their game face and went to work(?) sampling bites from each steak, but they were quick to acknowledge this was a pleasant first-time experience for most.
"I may not know what I'm doing, but I'm sure having a good time," one judge chuckled.
Judges were back at Bonham Visitor Center at 3:00 p.m. to grade the top seven finalists. At 4:00 p.m. it was time to announce that bragging rights for a year go to BryBQ (Bryan Lewis), the first place finisher from Whitewright, Texas.
At 6:00 p.m., 1,100 ribeyes for the steak dinner hit the grills. Just after 6:30, ticket holders were free to select which cooking team would prepare their steak. A large portion of the crowd arrived hours earlier to visit with friends and neighbors. Fellowship seems to be just as important as the food at this family-friendly event.
And it isn't just a great meal; it's also for a great cause. The Fannin Agricultural Association, Inc. was able to donate over $20,000 back to local FFA/4H programs in Fannin County in 2023 and they hope to be able to continue that success in 2024.
FFA members from multiple schools showed their appreciation by helping to empty trash cans and clean up the area during the dinner and concert.
Opening act Red Stone Revival got the crowd in the mood for an outdoor concert on a perfect spring night and Cody Canada & The Departed took it from there, treating the crowd to a night to remember.
A pun on Fannin Agricultural Association's website sums up the event best. If you weren't there Saturday night, you might as well consider it a missed steak.
