The Texas State Fair - “The Most Texan Place on Earth”

“Howdy Folks!” Big Tex welcomes guests with his Texas drawl as visitors excitedly enter the gates of The Texas State Fair at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. Standing 55 feet tall, clad in his Dickies western wear, Lucchese, and one of the largest cowboy hats in the world, Big Tex greets guests and waves hello. Voted the quirkiest landmark in America in 2014 by USA Today, admirers battle for the best spot to take their photo next to this famous Texas icon as they begin their day at the “Most Texan Place on Earth.”  

The Texas State Fair has a long history with Dallas. In 1886, a group of Dallas businessmen started the Dallas State Fair and Exposition east of downtown Dallas on 80 acres which lie within the current Fair Park boundaries according to State Fair of Texas History.  After several decades of turmoil and financial losses, The Texas State Fair was sold to the City of Dallas to manage in 1904. At that point, the fair began to prosper. In the 1920’s  an auditorium was added, and the first Texas vs. OU rivalry football game was played. Adding an exposition hall, a football stadium, live concerts, and Big Tex have all contributed to many years of success. In 1986 the Texas State Fair was designated a National Historic Landmark. Today, it encompasses 277 acres and boasts over 2.4 million visitors in 2024.  

“The State Fair of Texas celebrates all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment.”

 Source: bigtex.com

For visitors, in order to experience a true Texan day, a good place to start is with the rides. In Texas, the mornings are crisp and cool, so walking the grounds and enjoying the rides are what natives would prioritize first. 

The most popular ride is the Texas Star Ferris wheel. Standing over 20 stories high, fairgoers get the chance to admire downtown Dallas and the surrounding neighborhoods for twelve straight minutes. Near the Texas Star is the Midway. With over 70 games to choose from, there is something for every guest. For a calm experience, the 1914 Denzel Carousel, one of five antique carousels in the state, takes passengers of all ages. Another good choice to remember is the Sparkletts Log Flume where guests can cool off on the days when the sun is blazing. The fair experience is not complete without trying either an iconic Fletcher’s Original Corney Dog or one of the Big Tex Choice Awards menu items.  This culinary competition awards the best savory, sweet, and creative food items all of which are available throughout the fairgrounds.  Last year’s winners included items like Dominican Fritura Dog and Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick, 

As the day heats up under the Texas sun, guests should head to the livestock barns.  Here visitors can see the daily livestock competitions, horse exhibitions,and livestock auctions. Interested parties can watch live births and learn about various livestock breeds. Additionally, there are six rodeo events on the weekends over the 24 day fair event which include a wide variety of shows ranging from the Youth Rodeo to the United Professional Rodeo World Finals.  

Another truly Texan experience is the college football games which occur at the Cotton Bowl stadium each year.  The most well-known is the Red River Rivalry where the University of Texas has played the University of Oklahoma since 1929. This rivalry game is always the most popular day to visit the fair with students and alumni driving from Austin, Texas and Norman, Oklahoma for the fabled game.  Last year alone, officials reported that over 100,000 traveled to the Cotton Bowl to support their team. 

As the day draws to an end, one popular event that many enjoy is the Starlight Parade which occurs after dark.  From the vibrantly colored parade floats decorated with iconic Texas images like armadillos, bluebonnets, and longhorns, these floats often carry local celebrities like Miss Texas and Miss Texas’ Teen and play music from around the state such as Lizzo and Selena. Other parade highlights include the historic Clydesdales, college marching bands, and vintage cars. The Starlight Parade shows off some of its finest performers from around the state.   

Texas has the biggest state fair in the United States, as well as the longest running one, lasting 24 days. For anyone interested in learning more about Texas culture or simply wanting to have local fun, visit “The Most Texan Place on Earth.” This year, the State Fair of Texas starts September 26th and ends October 19th.