Photo by Bearden Photography

The Texas Cowboy Reunion is proud to announce that Fareed Hassen will lead the Grand Parade as this year’s Parade Marshal. This is the perfect opportunity to honor someone who has done so much for the community of Stamford and the TCR. Hassen, who turned 90 in March of this year, continues to stay active in the community.

“I think it’s only fitting that Fareed receives this honor the same year he turns 90,” said TCR Parade Chairman Cheyenne Bereuter. “and it’s the 90th annual TCR, too. Both are icons here in Stamford.”

Fareed has been around the TCR his whole life, as Hassen’s father was one of the 50 initial stockholders that started the Texas Cowboy Reunion in 1930. He recalls there being several rodeo performances a day and a parade on the first and second days of the rodeo, back in the early years of the TCR. In the mid-seventies, Fareed became more involved with the TCR. He was asked to judge the parade for several years when A.C. Humphrey was the parade chairman. In the early eighties, Hassen became the parade chairman and arranged the parade for over 25 years!

Fareed has served on the TCR Board of Directors for more than 30 years. He was instrumental in getting the TCR to sponsor dances to bring in more revenue, many years ago. He also began selling booklets of rodeo tickets to businesses to raise money for the rodeo and this project has been very successful. Last year he brought in $9,500 in books and was able to provide 150 tickets for the kids at Hendrick Home for Children, Ben Richey Boys Ranch and Disability Resources to be able to attend the rodeo and provide a meal for them at the chuckwagon.

In addition to his history with the TCR, Hassen is also a leader in the Stamford community. He has served as President of the Stamford Jaycees, Rotary Club, Stamford Industrial Foundation, Development Corporation of Stamford, Stamford School Board, Stamford Country Club, and the United Way, just to name a few. He has been selected as Man of the Year twice and the city designated a day in 2010 as “Fareed Hassen Day,” when he was 80 years old.

Hassen also been involved with the West Texas Rehabilitation Center for more than 28 years, receiving the Board Member of the Year award in 2007. This year he retired from working with the Salvation Army, after serving more than 60 years.

Please join us for the TCR Grand Parade on Wednesday, July 1 at 4:00 p.m. in downtown Stamford.