Strap on your cowboy boots, brace your stomach for some greasy fare and head out to this year’s Heart O’Texas Fair & Rodeo, which began last night and runs through Oct. 16.

With the economy on a slow recovery, what better way to spend an affordable evening out with the family than at the fair? There’s food, fun, children’s activities, livestock and spectacular rodeo displays.

It benefits our local economy directly. Organizers expect 220,000 people, and it could generate $7.2 million for McLennan County.

Where else in Waco could you see “Swifty” the swine and his pig entourage race to the finish line enticed by an Oreo cookie laid out on a silver platter?

Marvel at the wonders of Jeff Martin, AKA “The Blonde Curly Haired Magician.” And be amused by the antics of master hypnotist Chris Mabrey during daily shows at the Extraco Events Center.

There are also educational programs by the Texas Farm Bureau to inform children about the origins of their food and clothes via a cool interactive exhibit. A new HEB buddy barnyard is sure to keep tots active as they play stick horse rodeo, pet animals and take pony rides.

Older patrons will enjoy the skills displayed at the All American ProRodeo Finals each night. And be sure to stroll through the facilities to see a deluge of students and the livestock they have raised for many months — with loving care and patience — in hopes of winning scholarship funds totaling $66,000 this year.

Blow-drying the hair of steers on a daily basis takes tenacity and plenty of fortitude, young participants tell us. Training a testy goat to walk on a leash can also be a formidable task for anyone.

Others have invested countless hours making quilts or scrapbooks, or prize-winning jams or chiles, which also deserve a look — and maybe even a taste.

Those who crave a little attention can perform at the Heartland’s Got Talent contest on Monday and Tuesday where the best juggler, singer or yodeler could walk away with $2,500 in prizes. Auditions are tomorrow and Sunday.

Those who prefer to be entertained, rather than to entertain, might take delight in Troy Lerwill, nicknamed “The Wild Child,” who will perform nightly at the rodeo. A rodeo clown, bullfighter and pro motocross racer, he’s a six-time winner of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Comedy Act of the Year award. His finale will include him jumping a dirt bike over his Dodge truck and bloomer trailer.

Or so we hope.

Of course, no fair is complete without a turn on the Ferris wheel, a coney dog and funnel cake, and a game stop at the midway.

Here’s hoping the rains stay away this year and that the crowds won’t.