Laredo Fair Offered New Home as Raffle Prize
The Laredo International Fair & Exposition has replaced cash rewards with a furnished home for its annual fundraiser.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Laredo International Fair & Exposition has announced a fully furnished home at 131 Faith Drive as the new grand prize for its annual raffle. This marks a significant shift from previous years, when the top prize was $10,000 in cash.
Why it matters
The organization hopes the move will bolster fundraising efforts, which have provided over $1 million in scholarships to local students during the past three years. Organizers selected south Laredo for the home to appeal to young families looking for new housing.
The grand prize is a four-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home, while more than $300,000 in additional prizes are available. Tickets are priced at $250 each, and the Uni-Trade Group provided a $10,000 sponsorship.
The players
Laredo International Fair & Exposition
This local organization hosts annual events to raise funds for student scholarships and community development.
Uni-Trade Group
This company has 38 years of service and provides sponsorship support for the raffle.
The details
The home is located within the Gator Pointe Subdivision, chosen for its popularity among young families. In addition to the grand prize, participants compete for over $300,000 worth of secondary prizes to support the fair's educational initiatives.
Timeline
Sept. 26, 2026: Public open house for the raffle home.
Nov. 12, 2026: Uni-Trade Annual Raffle drawing at the Casa Blanca Ballroom.
Market Landscape
The Laredo International Fair & Exposition joins the trend of replacing small cash prizes with high-value residential properties to incentivize higher ticket participation. This shift positions the fair to compete more aggressively for donor engagement against other local fundraising entities.
Residents can purchase $250 raffle tickets for a chance to win the four-bedroom home at 131 Faith Drive. The fair also provides an opportunity for potential homebuyers to tour new construction in the Gator Pointe Subdivision during the upcoming open house.
The takeaway
Transitioning to a residential property grand prize creates a more tangible connection between donors and the local real estate market. Potential participants should ensure they understand the ticket cost and drawing details before the event date in November.
What happens next
The public can tour the raffle home and purchase tickets on Sept. 26, 2026. The official drawing is scheduled for Nov. 12, 2026, at the Casa Blanca Ballroom.
Further reading
Learn more about local charitable efforts in the Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Laredo Morning Times.
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