Texas State Fair History
The Texas State Fair has been held at the same site, Fair Park (itself a National Historic Landmark), since 1886. Our visit was the second day of the month-long fair, but we arrived pretty early so the crowds weren’t too bad until people started arriving for the Grambling State vs. Prairie View game at the Cotton Bowl (also onsite).
The Dallas State Fair & Exposition began in 1886, organized by local businessmen. Just like today, there were exhibitions of the finest livestock, farming machinery, entertainment and shows, food and games. The fair has continued to grow over the years, attracting millions over the course of 24 days. In recent years, the fair has chosen an annual theme, and activities and entertainment are keyed to that. Each year, Big Tex, a giant cowboy, presides over the fair.
Big Tex made his debut at the 1952 State Fair of Texas. Wearing size 70 boots and a 75-gallon hat, Tex towered 52′ above wide-eyed visitors. His denim jeans and plaid shirt were donated by the H. D. Lee Company of Shawnee Mission, Kansas. Cosmetic surgery the following year straightened his nose, corrected a lascivious wink and allowed him to talk.
(From The Great State Fair of Texas – An Illustrated History,by Nancy Wiley.)
Our Day at the Fair
When we visited, we rode the Texas Star Ferris wheel (tallest one in the US), saw livestock exhibits, a dog dancing show, a Tango demonstration and did lots and lots of people watching. Thankfully (sort of) we successfully avoided everything on the list of 2007 Big Tex Food Award Finalists: Mama’s Fried Sweet Potato Pie, Zesty Fried Guacamole Bites, BW’s Original Fried Banana Pudding, Texas Fried Cookie Dough, Country Fried Peach Cobbler on a Stick, Deep Fried Latte and Fernie’s Fried Chili Frito Burrito. We did however eat a jalapeno cheese corn dog, a Coors light, pizza, a tamale, watermelon lime agua fresca, a free ice cream sample and a lemonade. I don’t know if that’s much better, and I still wonder how they do a fried Coke?! Click here for some photos.
