• Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
  • City Guide
  • Events
  • Video
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Entertainment
  • Arts
  • Society
  • City Life
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Real Estate
  • Home + Design
  • Innovation
  • Travel
Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
culturemap logo
  • Restaurants + Bars

    THE LATEST

    Teresa Gubbins: Starbucks closes all stores for one day for racial bias education
    Coffee Down
    Starbucks closes all stores for one day for racial bias education
    By Teresa Gubbins
    Teresa Gubbins: North Dallas gets a kosher deli with a little Texas BBQ on the side
    Kosher News
    North Dallas gets a kosher deli with a little Texas BBQ on the side
    By Teresa Gubbins
    Diana Oates: These are the 8 best food and drink events in Dallas this week
    This Week in Gluttony
    These are the 8 best food and drink events in Dallas this week
    By Diana Oates

    SPONSORED BY

  • Entertainment

    THE LATEST

    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Dallas celebrity wedding rings into this week's 5 most popular stories
    This Week's Hot Headlines
    Dallas celebrity wedding rings into this week's 5 most popular stories
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Alex Bentley: Dwayne Johnson's Rampage gives monster movies a bad name
    Movie Review
    Dwayne Johnson's Rampage gives monster movies a bad name
    By Alex Bentley
    Alex Bentley: These are the 12 best things to do in Dallas this weekend
    Weekend Event Planner
    These are the 12 best things to do in Dallas this weekend
    By Alex Bentley

    SPONSORED BY

  • Arts

    THE LATEST

    Lindsey Wilson: Dallas theater vets launch new nonprofit company with a classic twist
    New Theater Alert
    Dallas theater vets launch new nonprofit company with a classic twist
    By Lindsey Wilson
    Lindsey Wilson: Dallas' Undermain Theatre comes full circle with new season
    Go Beneath the Surface
    Dallas' Undermain Theatre comes full circle with new season
    By Lindsey Wilson
    Lindsey Wilson: Dallas theatermaker straddles the stage and page for her latest project
    Actor Spotlight
    Dallas theatermaker straddles the stage and page for latest project
    By Lindsey Wilson

    SPONSORED BY

  • Society

    THE LATEST

    Lindsey Wilson: Prom queens and kings cut loose at Dallas' sweetest fundraising fête
    Material Girls and Boys
    Prom queens and kings cut loose at Dallas' sweetest fundraising fête
    By Lindsey Wilson
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Dallas museum adds artful new gala to fall social calendar
    Meadows Masterpiece
    Dallas museum adds artful new gala to fall social calendar
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Sea of extravagant hats puts Dallas' most whimsical luncheon over the top
    Mad for Mad Hatter's
    Sea of hats puts Dallas' most whimsical luncheon over the top
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry

    SPONSORED BY

  • City Guide

    THE LATEST

    : Ellerbe Fine Foods
    Restaurants
    Ellerbe Fine Foods
    : Bird Cafe
    Restaurants
    Bird Cafe
    : Woodshed Smokehouse
    Restaurants
    Woodshed Smokehouse

    SPONSORED BY

  • Events

    THE LATEST

    : George W. Bush Presidential Center presents "First Ladies: Style of Influence"
    4.20.18 | 9:00 am
    George W. Bush Presidential Center presents "First Ladies: Style of Influence"
    : Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden presents Lyman Whitaker: "Wind Sculptures in Motion"
    4.20.18 | 9:00 am
    Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden presents Lyman Whitaker: "Wind Sculptures in Motion"
    : Perot Museum presents "Journey to Space"
    4.20.18 | 10:00 am
    Perot Museum presents "Journey to Space"

    SPONSORED BY

  • Subscribe
  • City Life

    THE LATEST

    : Barbara Bush, former first lady to President George H.W. Bush, has died
    Remembering Barbara Bush
    Former first lady Barbara Bush dies at 92 in Houston
    By ABC13 Staff
    Teresa Gubbins: 4 dogs euthanized after biting woman near Dallas' Fair Park
    Animal News
    4 dogs euthanized after biting woman near Dallas' Fair Park
    By Teresa Gubbins
    Katie Friel: Dallas falls off list of America's best cities for job seekers
    Dotted line
    Dallas falls off list of America's best cities for job seekers
    By Katie Friel

    SPONSORED BY

  • Fashion + Beauty

    THE LATEST

    Nicole Jordan: Indie beauty brands flock to Dallas for one-day shopping extravaganza
    Shop Indie
    Indie beauty brands flock to Dallas for one-day shopping extravaganza
    By Nicole Jordan
    Diana Oates: Where to shop in Dallas right now: 9 must-hit stores for April
    Where to Shop Now
    Where to shop in Dallas right now: 9 must-hit stores for April
    By Diana Oates
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Pioneering Dallas shoe company flips more flops with first retail shop
    Another step forward
    Pioneering Dallas shoe company flips more flops with first retail shop
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry

    SPONSORED BY

  • Real Estate

    THE LATEST

    : Darling 1940s East Dallas cottage charms from the outside in
    Love this Listing
    Darling 1940s East Dallas cottage charms from the outside in
    By Amy Puchaty
    Diana Oates: Dallas' hottest home tour opens the doors to these Park Cities stunners
    Step Inside
    Dallas' hottest home tour opens doors to these Park Cities stunners
    By Diana Oates
    Lindsey Wilson: These amenities can help your Dallas home sell for 25 percent more than expected
    Listing Language
    These amenities can help your Dallas home sell for 25 percent more
    By Lindsey Wilson

    SPONSORED BY

  • Home + Design

    THE LATEST

    Diana Oates: This Dallas home tour takes impeccable interior design to new heights
    Hollywood Heights
    This Dallas home tour takes impeccable interior design to new heights
    By Diana Oates
    Teresa Gubbins: Casual-chic Dallas flea-market shop finds home sweet home in Deep Ellum
    Shopping News
    Chic Dallas flea-market shop finds home sweet home in Deep Ellum
    By Teresa Gubbins
    Diana Oates: This home tour shows the best that money can buy high in the Dallas sky
    Turtle Creek
    This home tour shows the best money can buy high in the Dallas sky
    By Diana Oates

    SPONSORED BY

  • Innovation

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Texas creator of 'vitamin for alcohol' dives into ABC's Shark Tank
    hangover helper
    Texas creator of 'vitamin for alcohol' dives into ABC's Shark Tank
    By Steven Devadanam
    Brett Weiss: Dallas-area entrepreneurs geek out with site for pop-culture nerds
    Geek is Chic
    Dallas-area entrepreneurs geek out with site for pop-culture nerds
    By Brett Weiss
    John Egan: Dallas expected to be one of country’s economic powerhouses in 2018
    2018 Boomtown?
    Dallas expected to be one of country’s economic powerhouses in 2018
    By John Egan

    SPONSORED BY

  • Travel

    THE LATEST

    Johnston Farrow: San Marcos summer float festival makes waves with stacked music lineup
    Float Fest 2018
    San Marcos summer float fest makes waves with stacked music lineup
    By Johnston Farrow
    Sofia Sokolove: New boutique boardinghouse makes Lockhart a dreamy destination for Texans
    A place to unplug
    Boutique boardinghouse makes Lockhart a dreamy destination for Texans
    By Sofia Sokolove
    : Expert tips for treasure hunting at Round Top Antique Week
    Round Top Road Trip
    Expert tips for treasure hunting at Round Top Antique Week
    By Sarah Ellison Lewis

    SPONSORED BY

  • Video
  • CM Events
Promoted articles are produced by CultureMap sponsors and not by the editorial staff.
Home » Entertainment
Dixie Chicks Rock
Political-as-ever Dixie Chicks rock the house in Dallas
Weekend Event Planner
These are the 9 best things to do in Dallas this weekend
LATEST NEWS
The right — and wrong — way to swaddle your babies
State Fair Secrets

10 things you didn't know about the State Fair of Texas

10 things you didn't know about the State Fair of Texas

By Promoted Article Correspondent
9.7.16 | 1:00 pm
Enlarge
Slideshow
Big Tex
The State Fair of Texas runs September 30-October 23. Photo by Jason Hays
State Fair of Texas Little Hands on the Farm
Little Hands on the Farm gives kids an interactive way to learn about farming. Photo by Jason Hays
State Fair horse showing
More than 5,500 students entered the livestock and agricultural shows last year. Photo by Jason Hays
State Fair of Texas auto show
The auto show is the biggest in the Southwest. Photo by Jason Hays
State Fair of Texas
There is truly something for everyone at the State Fair. Photo by Jason Hays
Big Tex
State Fair of Texas Little Hands on the Farm
State Fair horse showing
State Fair of Texas auto show
State Fair of Texas

In the 130 years since it debuted, the State Fair of Texas has welcomed millions of eager fairgoers for midway fun, livestock competitions, and, of course, fried treats.

Think you're a State Fair expert? Consider these 10 facts in preparation for this year's event, running September 30-October 23.

1. The State Fair of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
All things Texan are celebrated during this fall get-together. The people behind the fair do this by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment (everything from big-name musicians to ostrich races) in a family-friendly environment. This is the longest-running state fair in the nation, and through its rich and lengthy history has provided a place for generations to gather and make memories.

2. It embodies all aspects of Lone Star culture.
From its humble beginnings as a local fair and exposition in 1886 to helping host the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition and 1986 Texas Sesquicentennial celebration, the fair has been a cornerstone of Texas heritage. Year after year, millions of visitors come from far and wide to experience the event and say "howdy" to its beloved icon, Big Tex.

3. There's something for everyone.
With hundreds of shows, concerts, attractions, and exhibits, plus the largest new-car auto show in the Southwest, the State Fair offers weeks of entertainment options. There are also countless thrills on the midway and tasty and unique treats to be found throughout the fairgrounds.

The fair also is home of the iconic Red River Showdown, State Fair Classic, and other gridiron matches at the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium.

4. It helps keep Fair Park pretty.
A portion of the proceeds from each State Fair is invested in the upkeep and maintenance of Fair Park and its historic buildings, facilities, and Cotton Bowl Stadium — to the tune of tens of millions of dollars so far. These contributions keep this National Historic Landmark in tip-top shape and help support museum programming.

The State Fair also supports Fair Park through participation in events such as Day 1 Dallas, North Texas Irish Festival, Earth Day Texas, Fair Park Sparks, Fair Park Fourth, and Dallas Mayor’s Back to School Fair.

5. The State Fair has its own youth scholarship program.
Each year, lucky applicants receive college scholarships through the State Fair of Texas Youth Scholarship Program. Eligible recipients include graduating seniors from five DISD high schools in the Fair Park area, as well as students from around the state of Texas who have competed in State Fair livestock events.

More than 1,800 students have benefited since the program's establishment in 1992. In 2016, the Fair awarded more than $1.2 million in new college scholarships. Through the State Fair of Texas Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Program, the fair has awarded more than $23 million in auction awards and scholarships. 

6. There are free educational programs.
Farm Day at the Fair raises awareness of agriculture for more than 7,500 elementary school children. There's also a TEKS-aligned curriculum that was developed last year in partnership with Big Thought that helps support the more than 1.8 million free admission tickets given away to students and teachers throughout North Texas. It will be expanding to include high-schoolers this year.

Don't forget about the livestock and agricultural shows, which last year saw 10,722 entries from 5,528 students — an increase of 32 percent.

7. The State Fair has a charity component.
Fairgoers donated more than 303,000 pounds of food to the North Texas Food Bank in 2015 — that translates to 221,229 meals for those in need. Since the partnership between the State Fair of Texas and North Texas Food Bank was formed in 2011, more than 1.1 million pounds of food have been donated.

Keep in mind that four canned food items at the gate will net you $4 admission to the fair this year.

8. The competitions are fierce.
Photography, canning, art, sewing, and cooking — the State Fair’s Creative Arts competitions provide endless opportunities for amateurs and professionals of all ages. Last year saw more than 8,900 entries in the more than 1,100 categories. What will you compete in this year?

9. You can get up close with a piglet.
Fairgoers can learn about the importance of farming and ranching through hands-on exhibits and demonstrations, covering everything from cow milking to hatching chicks. Calves, piglets, and more can be found at Big Tex's Farmyard, while animals from giraffes to zebras are the subject of learning opportunities.

Young fairgoers should visit Little Hands on the Farm, where they can plant seeds, gather eggs, and drive a tiny tractor before harvesting crops and taking them to market. With the earnings from the crops they sell, they can purchase a snack in the General Store.

10. Big Tex is a movie star.
In 1951, State Fair president and former Dallas mayor R.L. Thornton purchased a large Santa Claus figure from the Kerens Chamber of Commerce for $750 and commissioned local artist Jack Bridges to turn it into a giant cowboy. Big Tex debuted at the 1952 State Fair of Texas, getting his voice the next year and then a friendly wave in 1997.

In addition to appearing in the 1961 remake of the movie musical State Fair alongside Pat Boone, Ann-Margret, and Bobby Darin, he’s appeared in local, regional, national, and international news coverage. On October 19, 2012, Big Tex was destroyed by an electrical fire, the same year he celebrated his 60th birthday. A new-and-improved Big Tex returned in time to welcome fans for the 2013 State Fair.

Big Tex now stands at 55 feet tall, boasting size 96 boots that are replicas of a 1949 Lucchese design.

---

To learn more about the State Fair of Texas and purchase tickets, visit Bigtex.com.

Fair Park
Get Directions - 1121 1st Ave. Dallas
Read These Next
10222 Vinemont Street home for sale Dallas
The real reasons that keep Dallas homeowners from buying and selling
Baby being treated for hip dysplasia
The right — and wrong — way to swaddle your babies
TodayTix theater ticket app Dallas
New-to-Dallas app unlocks on-demand theater tickets at a discount
10222 Vinemont Street home for sale Dallas
The real reasons that keep Dallas homeowners from buying and selling
Baby being treated for hip dysplasia
The right — and wrong — way to swaddle your babies
TodayTix theater ticket app Dallas
New-to-Dallas app unlocks on-demand theater tickets at a discount
Related Events
4.20.18
EARTHxFilm
4.20.18
EARTHx
4.21.18
EARTHxFilm
Related City Guide Listings
  • Fair Park
  • Latest News
  • Dallas' best restaurant, top chef revealed at 2018 Tastemaker Awards
  • Amy Schumer is hilarious and fearless in heartfelt I Feel Pretty
  • Greenville Avenue restaurant spawns new sibling at prime Dallas center
  • The real reasons that keep Dallas homeowners from buying and selling
    - promoted -
  • Ballyhooed Plano food hall ticks up drinking options to 9 bars
See All Latest News >
Society Style Dallas 2018
4/16
Sea of hats puts Dallas' most whimsical luncheon over the top
4/13
Fashion-focused Dallasites shine spotlight on issues once kept in dark
3/9
Fashion Group International fêtes top Dallas designers and artists
Dallas Tastemakers 2018
4/19
Dallas' best restaurant, top chef revealed at 2018 Tastemaker Awards
4/19
Best Fort Worth restaurant and chef revealed at 2018 Tastemaker Awards
4/18
10 best chefs in Dallas 2018 demonstrate the city's culinary diversity
Where to Eat
3/14
Where to eat in Dallas: 10 restaurants with surprising desserts
2/14
Where to eat in Dallas right now: 10 cool new restaurants for February
1/5
Where to eat in Dallas right now: 10 restaurants worth a second look
Home | About Us | News Tips & Suggestions | Submit An Event | Advertise | Jobs | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
© 2018 CultureMap LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Be A CultureMap Insider
Get Our Emails
Sign Up

We will not share or sell your email address

Newsletters for exploring your city

Thank you for signing up Please verify your e-mail by following the link we just sent you.
Look for an e-mail from CultureMap <mailer@culturemap.co>
Sweat, swag + party at West Village next Thursday
Dallas Int'l Film Festival is coming in May