City aims to break world record for number of people with same name in same location
KYLE — Those looking for a weekend full of barbecued ribs, margaritas, carnival rides, live music, fireworks and more will be in for a treat at the Kyle Fair: A Tex-Travaganza.
The family-friendly event will take place Friday, May 19-Sunday, May 21, at Lake Kyle Park, located at 700 Lehman Road. Entry is free, including attendance to live music performances, but carnival rides will be available for $2 per ride or $25 for a daily wristband. Other games and vendors will charge independently.
About 10,000-15,000 attendees are expected over the course of the weekend.
“This is the very first year for the Kyle Fair. May seemed like a good time to hold it because the summer heat hasn't kicked into full swing yet, the grass is still green and people are looking for fun ways to kick off their summer plans in Central Texas,” said Kyle Director of Communications Rachel Sonnier. “We are hoping that this festival will bring out all of our residents as well as lots of visitors for a fun weekend of live music, carnival rides, rib and [margarita] competitions, fireworks and more. We are looking for it to be comparable in size to a full three-day Pie in the Sky Hot Air Balloon Festival. But as the saying goes in Texas, bigger is always better, so more attendees will always be welcome.”
The city has budgeted $130,000 for the inaugural Kyle Fair out of the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund.
What to expect:
No matter what day residents and tourists decide to make their way to Lake Kyle Park for the fair, it will be a fun-filled weekend.
Friday
The fair will be open 4-11 p.m. on Friday, May 19 and people’s choice judging for the margarita contest will be from 5-10 p.m.
The music lineup is Broken Arrow from 5-6 p.m., Kin Faux from 6:15-7:15 p.m., Braxton Keith from 7:45-8:45 p.m. and Jon Wolfe from 9:15-10:30 p.m.
Saturday
The fair will be open from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, people’s choice judging for the BBQ Rib Cook-Off and and the Ritas Contest will be from 4-8 p.m. and a firework show at 9 p.m.
Live music will be going on all night with the following lineup:
• Lehman Lobos Mariachi Band from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Kyle Baton Twirlers from 1-2 p.m.
• Rick Fuentes & The Brown Express from 3-4:15 p.m.
• Monica Saldivar from 4:30-5:45 p.m.
• JR Gomez y Los Conjunto Bandits from 6-7:15 p.m.
• Ricky Naranjo from 7:30-9 p.m.
• Little Joe y La Familia from 9:15-10:30 p.m.
Also, in honor of U.S. Armed Forces Day on Saturday, the city will give active veterans who present military ID a free gift at the Kyle Fair Information Booth. Those wanting to honor active duty military members are also invited to visit Heroes Memorial Park, located at the corner of Kohlers Crossing and FM 1626, which will be decorated for the occasion.
Sunday
The fair will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, with contest award winners being announced at 1 p.m. and the “Gathering of the Kyles” taking place at 4 p.m. at the VIP Tent.
The city of Kyle wants to invite anyone with the first name "Kyle" — spelled that way — to help attempt the Guinness World Record for the largest same-name gathering during the Kyle Fair: A Tex-Travaganza. All eligible Kyles are asked to sign in at the VIP Tent beforehand, a group photo will follow. All Kyles that participate will be given a free Kyle Fair T-shirt, while supplies last.
In order to qualify to be a part of the Guinness World Record attempt, all participants must have the name "Kyle" — spelled that way.
Various iterations of "Kyle" such as Kyler, Kiel or Kylee, are not accepted. Middle and last names will not be accepted. Individuals of all ages are welcome to participate.
“This will be the city of Kyle’s fourth attempt at breaking the record. The first attempt was at the 2017 Pie in the Sky Festival,” Sonnier said. “This year, we decided to move it to Kyle Fair and promote it as far and wide as possible, so we have our fingers crossed that we will break it this year.”
Attendees are allowed to bring bags made of clear plastic, vinyl or pvc; empty reusable water bottles and hydration packs and plastic or aluminum water bottles. They can bring baby strollers, chairs, blankets, sheets, towels, cameras, personal-sized hand sanitizer, sunscreen (non-aerosol and 3.4 ounces or less) and a factory-sealed Naloxone/Narcan kit.
The following will not be allowed upon entry to the fair:
• Aerosol containers
• Framed backpacks and multiple-pocket backpacks
• Professional audio recording equipment
• Professional cameras and recording equipment
• Large professional detachable zoom lenses, stands, monopods, tripods, attachment sticks (selfie sticks) or other commercial equipment
• Any and all professional video equipment
• Drones or any other remote flying device
• Glass containers
• Illegal and Illicit substances
• Skateboards, scooters and bicycles
• Weapons or explosives of any kind
Free offsite parking with shuttle services will be available at Steeplechase Park, Lehman High School and Tobias Elementary School. Limited ADA-compliant parking will be available at Lake Kyle Park, as well as at the shuttle locations.
For more information about the event, visit www.kylefair.com and details about the “Gathering of the Kyles” can be found at www.cityofkyle.com/recreation/gathering-kyles-kyle-fair-tex-travaganza.
