State Fair of Texas
Encyclopedia
The State Fair of Texas is an annual state fair
held in Dallas
, Texas
(USA
). The fair season usually begins the last Friday in September and ends 24 days later. The fair is held at the historic Fair Park
where it has been held since 1886. The 2012 State Fair of Texas will run from September 28th through October 21st. Big Tex
, a 52 ft (16 m) tall cowboy
, has been the symbol of the fair since his introduction in 1952; in 1953, Big Tex's jaw was hinged, so that he appears to "speak" the announcements that promote fair events.
The State Fair of Texas is the largest state fair in the United States by annual attendance, with 2,618,500 attendees in 2010. However, the Minnesota State Fair
has a higher average daily attendance. The fair no longer tracks attendance by ticket sales — the numbers always underestimated attendance due to the practice of free entry for local schoolchildren and senior citizens on certain days — the fair's past estimates by various methods consistently suggested more than 3 million people visit the fair annually. Its 212 feet (64.6 m) Texas Star
Ferris wheel
has been the largest in North America
since it debuted in October 1985, just months before the Texas Sesquicentennial. As of 2003, the fair's marketing director estimated that the fair was bringing about US$
350 million dollars into the Dallas economy.
Traditionally, one of the centerpieces of the fair has been the annual college football
game between Texas
and Oklahoma
, nicknamed the Red River Shootout and played in the Cotton Bowl
at Fair Park. Also, the State Fair Classic
, featuring Grambling State University
and Prairie View A&M University
, is played at the Cotton Bowl during the fair. In 2010, Baylor and Texas Tech played their game during the State Fair for the first time.
The State Fair of Texas is the only fair in the country to include a full blown auto show, dating back to 1904. It includes over 300000 square feet (27,870.9 m²) of new model vehicles, two buildings, a Truck Zone and a Test Drive Track. The State Fair has been the site for several international launches including the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer, the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe and the 2008 Ford Sporttrac.
In recent years the fair has emphasized its reputation as an event featuring unique, albeit high-fat foods. The fair has been known for years for Fletcher's brand corny dogs. Recent years have seen the introduction of new unusual deep-fried items, including deep-fried Oreo
cookies; deep-fried Twinkie
s; deep-fried pork ribs; fried cheesecake; deep-fried butter; deep-fried peanut butter
, jelly
, and banana sandwiches; and most recently a batter-based fried Coke
. New foods in 2008 included chicken fried bacon
and fried banana splits. The State Fair of Texas chose "Ignite Your Senses!" as the 2008 theme. In 2010, Amateur chef Mark Zable introduced deep-fried beer, which won "Most Creative", while Texas Fried Frito Pie won "Best Taste".
Most local schools and some businesses give their students/employees a day off during the fair so that everyone may enjoy the festivities together. This is an excused absence by participating schools and businesses. The date most companies and schools choose for this day is usually the second Monday in October.
DART's
Fair Park Station
and MLK Jr. Station opened in 2009 to serve Fair Park and the State Fair of Texas. In addition to regular service on the Green Line
, the Red Line
and Blue Line
also run "special event" trains to Fair Park Station for major fair events.
State fair
A state fair is a competitive and recreational gathering of a U.S. state's population. It is a larger version of a county fair, often including only exhibits or competitors that have won in their categories at the more-local county fairs....
held in Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
(USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
). The fair season usually begins the last Friday in September and ends 24 days later. The fair is held at the historic Fair Park
Fair Park
Dallas Fair Park is a recreational and educational complex located in Dallas, Texas . The complex is registered as a Dallas Landmark, National Historic Landmark and is home to nine museums, six performance facilities, a lagoon, and the largest Ferris wheel in North America...
where it has been held since 1886. The 2012 State Fair of Texas will run from September 28th through October 21st. Big Tex
Big Tex
Big Tex is the 52 foot tall icon of the annual State Fair of Texas held at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. He wears size 70 boots, a 75 gallon hat, a size 100 180/181 shirt and 284W/185L XXXXXL pair of Dickies jeans...
, a 52 ft (16 m) tall cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
, has been the symbol of the fair since his introduction in 1952; in 1953, Big Tex's jaw was hinged, so that he appears to "speak" the announcements that promote fair events.
The State Fair of Texas is the largest state fair in the United States by annual attendance, with 2,618,500 attendees in 2010. However, the Minnesota State Fair
Minnesota State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair is the state fair of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Its slogan is "The Great Minnesota Get-Together." It is the 2nd largest fair in the United States, and the largest state fair in the United States in terms of average daily attendance, though the State Fair of Texas runs...
has a higher average daily attendance. The fair no longer tracks attendance by ticket sales — the numbers always underestimated attendance due to the practice of free entry for local schoolchildren and senior citizens on certain days — the fair's past estimates by various methods consistently suggested more than 3 million people visit the fair annually. Its 212 feet (64.6 m) Texas Star
Texas Star
Texas Star is the tallest Ferris wheel in North America. It is located at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas, and operates during the annual State Fair of Texas, where it is the most popular ride....
Ferris wheel
Ferris wheel
A Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
has been the largest in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
since it debuted in October 1985, just months before the Texas Sesquicentennial. As of 2003, the fair's marketing director estimated that the fair was bringing about US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
350 million dollars into the Dallas economy.
Traditionally, one of the centerpieces of the fair has been the annual college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
game between Texas
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
and Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
, nicknamed the Red River Shootout and played in the Cotton Bowl
Cotton Bowl (stadium)
The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,...
at Fair Park. Also, the State Fair Classic
State Fair Classic
The State Fair Classic is an annual college football game between the Grambling State University Tigers and the Prairie View A&M University Panthers. The game's official title is the Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic after its sponsor, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines. This game has also been...
, featuring Grambling State University
Grambling State University
Grambling State University is a historically black , public, coeducational university, located in Grambling, Louisiana. The university is the home of legendary football coach Eddie Robinson and is on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.-Academics:Grambling State University provides over...
and Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View A&M University is a historically black university located in Prairie View, Texas and is a member of the Texas A&M University System. PVAMU offers baccalaureate degrees in 50 academic majors, 37 master’s degrees and four doctoral degree programs through nine colleges and schools...
, is played at the Cotton Bowl during the fair. In 2010, Baylor and Texas Tech played their game during the State Fair for the first time.
In recent years the fair has emphasized its reputation as an event featuring unique, albeit high-fat foods. The fair has been known for years for Fletcher's brand corny dogs. Recent years have seen the introduction of new unusual deep-fried items, including deep-fried Oreo
Oreo
Oreo is a trademark for a popular sandwich cookie by the Nabisco Division of Kraft Foods. The current design consists of a sweet, white filling commonly referred to as 'cream' or 'creme', sandwiched between two circular chocolate or golden cookie pieces....
cookies; deep-fried Twinkie
Twinkie
The Twinkie is an American snack cake made and distributed by Hostess Brands. They are marketed as a "Golden Sponge Cake with Creamy Filling".-History:...
s; deep-fried pork ribs; fried cheesecake; deep-fried butter; deep-fried peanut butter
Peanut butter
Peanut butter is a food paste made primarily from ground dry roasted peanuts, popular in North America, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and parts of Asia, particularly the Philippines and Indonesia. It is mainly used as a sandwich spread, sometimes in combination as in the peanut butter and jelly...
, jelly
Fruit preserves
Fruit preserves are preparations of fruits and sugar, often canned or sealed for long-term storage. The preparation of fruit preserves today often involves adding commercial or natural pectin as a gelling agent, although sugar or honey may be used, as well. Prior to World War II, fruit preserve...
, and banana sandwiches; and most recently a batter-based fried Coke
Fried Coke
Fried Coke is frozen Coca-Cola-flavored batter which is deep-fried and then topped with Coca-Cola syrup, whipped cream, cinnamon sugar, and a cherry. It was introduced by inventor Abel Gonzales, Jr., at the 2006 State Fair of Texas where it won the title of "Most Creative" in the second annual...
. New foods in 2008 included chicken fried bacon
Chicken fried bacon
Chicken fried bacon consists of bacon strips dredged in batter and deep fried, like chicken fried steak. It is an American dish that was introduced in Texas in the early 1990s...
and fried banana splits. The State Fair of Texas chose "Ignite Your Senses!" as the 2008 theme. In 2010, Amateur chef Mark Zable introduced deep-fried beer, which won "Most Creative", while Texas Fried Frito Pie won "Best Taste".
Most local schools and some businesses give their students/employees a day off during the fair so that everyone may enjoy the festivities together. This is an excused absence by participating schools and businesses. The date most companies and schools choose for this day is usually the second Monday in October.
DART's
Dallas Area Rapid Transit
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit authority is a transit agency based in Dallas, Texas . It operates buses, light rail, commuter rail, and high-occupancy vehicle lanes in Dallas and 12 of its suburbs...
Fair Park Station
Fair Park Station
Fair Park Station is a DART light rail station located in Fair Park in Dallas, Texas on the . The station opened on September 14, 2009 as one of four original stops on the line. Fair Park contains the largest collection of Art Deco exhibition buildings in the world, built for the 1936 Texas...
and MLK Jr. Station opened in 2009 to serve Fair Park and the State Fair of Texas. In addition to regular service on the Green Line
Green Line (Dallas Area Rapid Transit)
The Green Line is a light rail line in Dallas, USA, operated by the Dallas Area Rapid Transit authority . The US$1.7 billion project opened in phases, starting in 2009...
, the Red Line
Red Line (Dallas Area Rapid Transit)
The Red Line is a light rail line in the system of mass transit in Dallas, Texas operated by the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system. Along with the , it is one of the original modern rail lines in Dallas....
and Blue Line
Blue Line (Dallas Area Rapid Transit)
The Blue Line is a light rail line in the system of mass transit in Dallas, Texas , operated by the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system. Along with the , it is one of the original modern rail lines in Dallas....
also run "special event" trains to Fair Park Station for major fair events.
Timeline
- The State Fair of Texas opened its gates for the first time on October 26, 1886. Approximately 14,000 people attend the opening day.
- On November 7, 1886, the fair closes and attracted over 100,000 people for the very first year of the fair.
- In 1913, the fair introduces the first Automobile building which was filled with 175 vehicles for fairgoers to see.
- The fair was canceled in 1918 due to the US Army taking control of Fair Park to establish an aviation boot camp known as Camp Dick.
- In 1930, construction of Fair Park Stadium (now known as the Cotton BowlCotton Bowl (stadium)The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,...
) begins. - In 1932, TX-OU play their Red River Rivalry for the first time at Fair Park Stadium.
- In 1937, the first Cotton Bowl Classic is played in Fair Park.
- Big Tex makes his first appearance in 1952.
- In 1956 the TrailblazerTrailblazer (monorail)Trailblazer was a suspended monorail that operated at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas from 1956 to 1964. It was the first commercially operated monorail system in the United States.-History:...
monorail began operation at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas from 1956 to 1964. It was the first commercially operated monorail system in the United States - Elvis PresleyElvis PresleyElvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
performs in the Cotton Bowl during the fair in 1956. - The 1959 State Fair was opened by Vice President Richard NixonRichard NixonRichard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
who cut the ribbon to open the fair. - In 1962, The Dallas TexansKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
(AFLAmerican Football LeagueThe American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
) and the Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
(NFL) play their first season in the Cotton Bowl. - Belgian waffles are introduced at the fair.
- In 1964 the monorail closed and was replaced by the Swiss Sky Ride, a 64 car aerial ride that traveled over a 3,800 foot path (the longest ever built).
- In 1979, a tragic Sky Ride accident occurred during the last day of the fair, prompting the removal of the attraction.
- In 1983, an eighteen year old man was killed and several bystanders were injured when a gondola fell off the Enterprise (ride)Enterprise (ride)The Enterprise is an amusement ride, manufactured primarily by HUSS Maschinenfabrik in 1972. The ride was an adaptation and improvement of a design produced earlier that year by Schwarzkopf, with an increased passenger capacity. Despite not owning the original incarnation of the ride, HUSS was...
. - In 1985 the Texas StarTexas StarTexas Star is the tallest Ferris wheel in North America. It is located at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas, and operates during the annual State Fair of Texas, where it is the most popular ride....
attraction opens as the largest ferris wheel in North America. - In 1989, The Comet Roller Coaster, a Fair Park landmark since 1947, is torn down.
- Big Tex receives a new look in 1999
- Following the 2001 September 11 attacks, Dallas police and State Fair officials announce the implementation of new security measures during the annual event.
- In 2005, the Fried Peanut Butter, Jelly and Banana Sandwich is introduced to the fair.
- In 2007 the Texas Skyway aerial ride opens in Fair Park.
- In 2010, the 8000 ft Greenhouse on the Midway is built to house 1000 hanging baskets, beehives, and Farmer MikeFarmer MikeFarmer Mike is the stage name of professional pumpkin carver Mike Valladao of Half Moon Bay, California.Farmer Mike specializes in carving giant pumpkins from 100 pounds to more than a half ton each at events such as: the Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival, the State Fair of Texas, Orange...
the Pumpkin Carver. - Fairgoers spent more than $37 million in 2010 which broke the fair's record.
- In 2012 the State Fair will open up a brand new attraction which will be a 500 feet observation tower. It will be called "Top of Texas Tower"
See also
- Fair ParkFair ParkDallas Fair Park is a recreational and educational complex located in Dallas, Texas . The complex is registered as a Dallas Landmark, National Historic Landmark and is home to nine museums, six performance facilities, a lagoon, and the largest Ferris wheel in North America...
- State Fair ClassicState Fair ClassicThe State Fair Classic is an annual college football game between the Grambling State University Tigers and the Prairie View A&M University Panthers. The game's official title is the Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic after its sponsor, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines. This game has also been...
- Hall of StateHall of StateThe Hall of State is a building in Dallas's Fair Park that commemorates the history of the U.S. state of Texas and is considered one of the best examples of Art Deco architecture in the state.-History:...
- A Fair To Remember (documentary)A Fair to Remember (documentary)A Fair to Remember is a documentary film about the Texas State Fair and debuted in February 2007 at the Hall of State located on the grounds of Fair Park in Dallas, Texas.- Synopsis :...