Big Tex After Dark

7 nighttime things to do at the State Fair of Texas

The State Fair of Texas fun doesn't end when the sun goes down — perhaps it's even better in the evening. Picture this: Midway lights, a tasty funnel cake, live music, and the Texas stars twinkling above it all. What could be better?

Here are just seven of the many things you can enjoy at the Fair at night:

1. Get a birds-eye view
Whether you want to take a spin on the 212-foot-tall Texas Star Ferris wheel or soar straight to the sky in the 500-foot Top O' Texas Tower, both rides are just as relaxing and magnificent as the other. There's nothing quite like seeing all the lights from above, and the view is great for planning out everything you want to do the rest of the night.

2. Wine not?
Why wouldn't you want to visit a wine garden? Located across from the Creative Arts building, the State Fair Wine Garden offers spectacular wines made in the Lone Star State. Wine not your fave? Travel down a little bit further toward the Coliseum to enjoy a new spot called Backyard Steak-Out & Pizzeria. Both are great locations to view the nightly Starlight Parade.

3. Float on
A longtime State Fair tradition, the Starlight Parade hosts a procession of more than 10 Texas-themed floats. The parade includes lively music, historic parade wagons, stilt walkers, animated characters in costume, and more. It begins nightly at 7:15 pm.

4. Light the way
Lighting up the night, the Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation blends high-energy pop music and sophisticated acrobat dancers with art, technology, and pyrotechnics over Fair Park's historic Esplanade. The show begins nightly at 8 pm.

5. Rock out
The State Fair of Texas presents 24 days of free concerts on the Chevrolet Main Stage, featuring a variety of musical acts across all genres. The stage showcases national and regional talent of all types, with evening performances from such artists as Aaron Watson, Ludacris, Austin Mahone and many more. Did we mention an Elvis tribute performance?

6. Take the wheel
Stretched across three areas at the Fair, the Texas Auto Show is the highest-attended auto show in the southwest. No surprise, since we're in Texas, right? Catch the Truck Zone before the sun goes down, then head into the Centennial and Automobile buildings to see the latest models from the world's leading manufacturers.

7. Save a buck (or several)
Perhaps the most wallet-friendly reason for hitting up the Fair after hours is that when you bring an empty Dr Pepper can, your admission goes down to only $9 after 5 pm.

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

Visiting the Fair doesn't always have to be an all-day event.

Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas

Visiting the Fair doesn't always have to be an all-day event.

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RIP Mark

Colorful Dallas musician and DJ Mark Ridlen passes away at 65

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Mark Ridlen RIP

A bright and colorful light in Dallas' music scene went out: Mark Ridlen, DJ and musician, passed away on November 17, following a bout with cancer; he was 65.

From his appearance in Ron Howard’s 1978 directorial debut, Cotton Candy, to his groups Quad Pi, Lithium X-mas, and a plethora of side projects with scores of DFW musicians, to his full-time job as a professional DJ under the moniker "DJ Mr. Rid," Ridlen had been a steady staple on the local creative scene.

He surfed pretty much every musical wave: from Dallas' epochal dance music scene in the early 80s, to punk rock to his role as one of Dallas' top DJs — the guy you called when you wanted your event to be cool and fun.

Ridlen had been quietly battling kidney and lung cancer for the past three years. Over the summer, he had his second kidney removed, which meant he was on dialysis treatment a couple times a week.

He remained upbeat, but according to friends of the family, two more tumors were recently found in his brain. His family and friends decided to forego further treatment and were by his side when he died.

He remained in demand until his passing. In May, he DJed a party at the Kessler Theater, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Starck Club, the legendary '80s dance music club designed by Philippe Starck, which had a huge influence on Dallas, and which Ridlen was part of.

He was invited to DJ at the Starck Club when it opened in 1984 and remained in that role until the club closed in 1989.

Reid mark ridlen Mark Ridlen (right) with close friend Reid RobiinsonFacebook

From there, he migrated to Expo Park, the underground neighborhood across from Fair Park where art and music ruled. His stints at XPO Lounge, Double Wide, and other neighborhood venues made him a staple in the community.

At the same time, he was a member of Lithium Xmas, a psychedelic art-rock band which he formed with acclaimed musicians Chris Merlick and Greg Synodis.

He was also a pop culture savant with a comprehensive knowledge of music, who balanced a low-key charm with a vibrant sense of style, whether it was a vivid pop-art tunic or a flashy sequinned jacket, he did it all with originality and panache.

In late August, a large circle of musicians and friends rallied to participate in a benefit for Ridlen, to help pay for his medical costs — a sweet indication of the high regard in which he was held.

“I do want people to know that I am not being slowed down by cancer,” Ridlen said at the time. “I'm ready to continue working. I have more-or-less a clean bill of health for the moment, and hopefully that doesn't change.”

Survivors include his mother Nancy and his brother David. A memorial service is in the works with details still to be announced.

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