Tough Enough to Wear Pink will be observed at the Austin County Fair Oct. 15 when fairgoers who enter the grounds wearing pink between 5 and 8 p.m. will be given a pink ribbon by volunteers of the Austin County Unit or the American Cancer Society. The Fair Association will donate $1 to ACS for every ribbon distributed.

Robert Winkelmann, president of the Fair Association, said, “It is our privilege to be able to support the American Cancer Society by participating in this breast cancer awareness program.”

Tough Enough to Wear Pink began in 2004 when Terry Wheatley, matriarch of a pro-rodeo family, and Karl Stressman, former director of special events for Wrangler and former commissioner of PRCA, had the idea to ask rodeo competitors to wear pink shirts during their performances. Wheatley was not only a breast cancer survivor, but she had also seen her grandmother, mother and daughter suffer with the disease.

With the help from Wrangler and other western businesses, TETWP debuted in Las Vegas at the national rodeo finals.

The program relies on volunteerism from many regional events across the nation. To date, it has raised over $33 mil lion. Funds remain within their local communities and benefit local charities.

This year marks the 16th year of TETWP, and Austin County Unit president Caroline Kemper said, “ASC is truly grateful that the Fair Association has chosen to participate in this program.”

So, on October 15 be sure to wear pink to the Fair, knowing you will join the American Cancer Society in its fight against breast cancer.