John Sykes Receives State Award

TYLER – The president and CEO of the parent company which produces the East Texas State Fair and Academic Rodeo in Tyler has received a statewide award. John Sykes has been given the Hall of Fame/Lifetime Achievement Award by the Texas Association of Fairs and Events. He received the award at the group’s annual convention in San Antonio. Sykes said the award was a great honor and he very surprised to receive it.

Sykes entered the fair industry in the early 1990s as assistant general
manager of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Since 2006, Sykes has
headed The Park of East Texas. The Fair celebrated its 100th anniversary
last year. Over 260,000 persons attended the fair last year. Sykes said
the Fair is the largest event of its kind in the region and has more than doubled its economic impact during his tenure, generating close to $9 million a year for the Tyler community.