State Fair of Texas
Dallas, Texas
When: late September- late October
Where: Fair Park in Dallas.
Big Tex, the 52-foot tall, Stetson-wearing symbol of Lone Star hospitality that towers over Fair Park, will give a warm “Howdy!” to over three million visitors as they arrive at America’s largest state fair.
Events: The latest cars off of the assembly line will get the heart rates of festival attendees racing at the State Fair of Texas Auto Show, 300,000 square feet of four-wheel wonders from Saab, Lexus, Lincoln-Mercury and more. For those looking for a true cowboy’s ride, head over to the Truck Zone, where next year’s models by Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge are on display, while attendees interested in vintage vehicles can check out over 1,000 nostalgic cars ranging from Corvettes to Cadillacs at the Classic Corral.
No fair in the Lone Star state is complete without a livestock show. Equine enthusiasts can trot over to the Coliseum to watch Arabians and Tennessee Walking horses promenade around the judging pavilion, while goats, lambs, calfs and pigs are showcased in the Barnyard Olympics, costume competitions and the youth livestock auction.
Creative attendees will want to check out the various art competitions. Promising Picassos, Ansel Adams’ and Emeril Lagasse’s put their skills to the test in the art, photography and food categories.
Entertainment: Ticket holders can tap their feet to the beat o the headlining country, pop and Tejano acts that take the mic on the Main Stage. Past performers have included Billy Ray Cyrus, Boys II Men and Gary P. Nunn.
Children’s Activities: Get an eagle’s eye view of what the fair has to offer on the Texas Star, the country’s largest ferris wheel at 212 ft. From the summit, fair attendees can see over 75 rides and carnival games for all ages on the ground below. For another sky-scanning view of the event, take a ride on the Texas Skyway, flying gondolas featuring Art Deco-influenced facades that mirror the beauty of the fair’s many exposition buildings.
Cute little cowpokes can yell “Giddy up!” as they take the reigns of a trusty stick horse during the Pee Wee Stampede, where little ones lasso bales of hay with their lariats.
Old Bessie needs milking and the crops need tending to at Little Hands on the Farm, where the seeds of agricultural knowledge are planted as children pull up carrots and beets in the vegetable garden and gather up a basket of eggs, work that is rewarded with play cash that can be exchanged for treats at the area’s grocery store.
Kids can clown around under the big top at the Backyard Circus, where pint-sized participants can be a part of the greatest show on earth.
More than a mere petting zoo, the Children’s Medical Canter Barnyard lets kids get up close and personal with exotic examples of the world’s wonders, such as camels, a giraffe, ostriches and llamas.
Since 1914 the 66 wooden horses on the Dentzel carousel have carried laughing little ones on their backs, and the tradition continues at Kid Way, an area set aside just for Texas tots.
Regardless of age, a parade makes everyone feel like a kid again. Providing magical moments for the entire family, a procession of festooned floats and marching bands promenade through the street nightly during the Starlight Parades.
Video Resources
Map
For more information:
• visit www.bigtex.com