ExxonMobil moves to take over Allen Parish Fair:

“If we don’t act, the fair our grandparents built could wear Exxon’s name”

Why we’re sounding the alarm now

CO₂ Chronicles received an anonymous tip containing a 2025 sponsorship proposal circulated to the Allen Parish Fair Association (APFA). It outlines a package where $25,000 in ExxonMobil funding secures premium branding across gates, stages, announcements, and the opening ceremony. This is happening as most residents oppose CCS (CO₂ injection wells) and while water-safety concerns remain front and center.

Two meetings, same night (Monday, Oct. 6):

• Allen Parish Fair Association: 6:00 PM — citizens can speak before any vote.
• Allen Parish Police Jury: Highly important session the same evening.

Please show up early to the APFA meeting. If you can’t attend both, prioritize the Fair Association at 6 PM and then head to the Jury meeting.

What we know so far (from our initial deep dive)

• Governance churn: Multiple APFA board resignations in the last several months; only 4 or 5 of the original 12 reportedly remain.
• Process red flags: New President Michelle LaFleur reportedly presented amended bylaws to the board without a recorded vote; then, according to ex-board members, they had no access to financials.
• Public asset, private leverage: The Police Jury owns the fairgrounds and entered a long-term lease with APFA to run the fair, meaning corporate branding deals could effectively commercialize a public space without clear public oversight.
• Precedent: A past board member says Oxy provided funds last year. If accurate, ExxonMobil’s package would escalate corporate placement from “sponsor” to de facto co-presenter.

We are verifying bylaws, lease terms, board minutes, bank controls, and any prior corporate payments. Full receipts coming in our deep dive.

The proposal at a glance (excerpts from the document shared with CO₂ Chronicles)

“Allen Parish Fair Association & ExxonMobil — Partnership Benefits”

Total ask highlighted: $25,000, structured around Level 5 “Candy Apple Sponsor” ($10,000+) plus targeted add-ons.

Level 5 Candy Apple Sponsor ($10,000+) — excerpts:

• Main Gate Entrance banner listing company name
• Daily announcements naming the company during each day of the fair
• Prominent 4′×12′ banner placement
• Logo placement on social media + all promotional materials
• “Family Day” booth at a preferred location, with 100 free ride bands handed out (valued at $3,000)
• Opportunity to speak at the ribbon cutting / Opening Ceremony
• Video/photo access for the company’s promotion
• Exhibit hall usage for company presentations or other needs

VIP/Access perks (for company reps):

• Free gate entrance (fair & rodeo)
• VIP seating at all events
• Meal & concessions packages (nonprofit meal; livestock concessions)

Add-ons listed:

• Livestock Showing Sponsor – $3,000
  • Logo on promotions; show-ring banner; top-tier mentions; logo on concession menu/show order board; speak & present awards at Friday/Saturday livestock events
• Rodeo Bucking Chute Sponsor – $1,000
  • Saturday “Main Event” chute-gate banner; company announced during events; rodeo advertising recognition
• Additional contributions: $4,000 bleacher repairs; $1,000 cash awards

Bottom line: This isn’t a basic sponsor banner. It’s gate dominance, mic time, ceremony control, premium boothing, and VIP access—the building blocks for brand ownership of a beloved parish tradition.

Why it matters

• Public consent vs. private leverage: While residents are still fighting CO₂ injection and water-risk concerns, ExxonMobil appears to be buying presence, goodwill, and narrative space inside the parish’s most visible community event.
• Fair identity at stake: The language (gate banners, opening-ceremony remarks, premium booth, social media takeover) rebrands the fair’s front door and amplifies Exxon’s messaging over the microphone—all in a venue historically meant for youth, families, and local groups.
• Checks & balances: With board turnover, unclear bylaws, and missing financials, rushing a deal of this scope fails basic governance hygiene.

What citizens can do before Monday night?

1. Show up at 6 PM for the APFA meeting. Ask for public comment before any vote.

What we will publish next (deep-dive in progress)

• Who runs the fair now? Current board, terms, resignations, appointment trails
• Paper trail: Bylaws history, amendments, and whether proper votes occurred
• Money map (3-year window): Bank controls, sponsorship deposits, vendor contracts, payments out
• Lease leverage: What the 99-year fairgrounds lease allows (or forbids) on corporate branding and exclusive use
• Corporate footprint: Past payments (Oxy), proposed Exxon terms, and whether these buy influence in civic spaces

If you have documents (minutes, bank statements, sponsorship drafts, emails), share them with us securely: journalist@co2chronicles.com (or message the CO₂ Chronicles FB page).

Editor’s note

• All specifics about the ExxonMobil sponsorship above come from a proposal shared with CO₂ Chronicles by an anonymous source; we have preserved the structure, amounts, and benefits exactly as presented, correcting only spelling/formatting for readability.
• We are independently verifying board actions, bylaws status, and financial statements. If APFA or ExxonMobil wishes to provide official comment or documentation, email journalist@co2chronicles.com. We will publish responses in full.

Call to action:
 Show up Monday, Oct. 6, 6:00 PM at the Allen Parish Fair Association meeting. Demand transparency. Demand a public review period. Keep the Allen Parish Fair a community fair.