State Fair News

State Fair of Texas does COVID-19 workaround with new drive-thru event

If you could distill the State Fair of Texas to two things, it would be Big Tex and Fletcher's Original Corny Dogs.

The Real Slim Foodie

The State Fair of Texas is out of commission for 2020 due to the dreaded coronavirus, but organizers have crafted a workaround: Called the Big Tex Fair Food Drive-Thru, it consists of customers driving through a line and buying food packages from State Fair vendors.

In addition to the foods, there's also a Big Tex photo-op. The Fair folks are erecting the Big Tex statue for photo sessions. This year, he'll be wearing a super-sized mask. High-larious.

The drive-thru schedule will basically be weekends. Dates are as follows:

September 25-27
October 2-4
October 9
October 11-12, which includes Monday, October 12
October 15-18

One exception: Since the AT&T Red River Showdown between the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma in Cotton Bowl Stadium is taking place, the Drive-Thru will not occur on Saturday, October 10.

Tickets go on sale starting September 2 at 10 am on BigTex.com. Customers can attend in three entry time slots:

10 am-1 pm
1-5 pm
5-5:45 pm

After selecting a date and time, customers can choose from the following packages.

Big Tex Photo Package

This is a standalone photo opp, no food, and is available only September 19-20. It's $25, and allows one vehicle of up to eight people to come in and pose with Big Tex, as well as a downloadable "professional" photo with Big Tex.

Fair Food & Photo Packages

The "A" package is $65 and feeds 1-2 people. Wow, just as pricey as if you were actually attending the Fair! It allows one vehicle of up to eight people to come in and pose with Big Tex, as well as a downloadable professional photo with Big Tex, as well as the following:

Two soft drinks or bottled waters from Haworth Concessions
Two Fletcher's Original State Fair Corny Dogs
One order of Jack’s French Fries
One order of Stiffler’s Fried Oreos
One bag of State Fair Cotton Candy
One bag of Pioneer Kettle Corn
One Midway Prize

The "B" package is the same as "A" but bigger: It's $99 and feeds 3-4 people. It allows one vehicle of up to eight people to come in and pose with Big Tex, as well as a downloadable professional photo with Big Tex, as well as the following:

Four soft drinks or bottled waters from Haworth Concessions
Four Fletcher's Original State Fair Corny Dogs
Two orders of Jack’s French Fries
Two orders of Stiffler’s Fried Oreos
Two bags of State Fair Cotton Candy
Two bags of Pioneer Kettle Corn
Two Midway Prizes

You can also add on items such as corn on the cob, corny dogs, sausage on a stick, and turkey legs.

All guests must remain in their vehicles, with the exception of using the restroom and/or having their photo taken at Big Tex Circle.

They anticipate that the Drive-Thru experience will take no longer than 1 1/2 hours once you enter the gate.

Folks can choose to eat their food in their car along the way, take it home, or eat in a parking lot designated by the State Fair after they exit.

Guests are required to wear face masks when interacting with staff, who will all be wearing masks, washing hands, wearing gloves, and so on.

state-fair

The Joke Has Landed

New comedy club at Toyota Music Factory in Irving gets set for laughs

Photo by Anna Dolmany

This is the fifth Punch Line location.

It's almost time for Punch Line Irving to open its doors, and Dave Chappelle is at the ready. The famous comedian will christen the new comedy club with four sold-out shows on December 17 and 18, but there's plenty more funny business in store for 2026.

First announced in November, this is Punch Line's fifth location — and second in Texas, the first opened in Houston in 2024 — and it's taking up residence at the Toyota Music Factory. The 240-seat club plans to host more than 350 shows and private events annually, featuring a blend of high-wattage celebrity and homegrown talent.

Its decor nods to the brand's belief that comedy is a sport, with feature wall showcasing punching bags and boxing bells signed by "heavy hitter" performers.

The menu also echoes the theme, with such cocktails as the Bellringer (bourbon, lemonade, and Liquid Death half-and-half iced tea), Ringside Ranch Water (blanco tequila, hibiscus, lime, and soda), and the Espresso All-Star, their take on the espresso martini. Food includes Punch Line favorites like the Mic Drop Burger, Punch Line Nachos, and Homemade Punch Pop Tarts in bourbon apple or strawberry cream.

There is also a second, more flexible space outside the main showroom called The Callback Bar that's designed to host smaller performances, as well as a furnished patio.

Punch Line Irving The Callback Bar.Photo by Anna Dolmany

Photo by Anna Dolmany

This is the fifth Punch Line location.

The talent gets treated as well as the audience, with a private comics lounge in place of a traditional dressing room. Designed as a shared gathering space, it sports a custom media wall showing the live-show feed, a dressing table, a private ensuite restroom, and a hospitality station.

Punch Line makes it a point to support the local comedy scene, and its Irving location will be no exception. Twenty-five cents from each ticket at participating shows benefits Comedy Gives Back, a nonprofit organization providing financial grants and resources to stand-up comedians in need. The club also hosted its first open mic on December 9 to welcome the community, with participating comics donating nonperishable items to the North Texas Food Bank.

Don't fret if you didn't snag tickets to Dave Chappelle — big names like Leslie Jones, Tone Bell, Pete Holmes, and Christina P. all have shows scheduled in the first few months of 2026 and tickets are on sale now.

openings dave chappelle punch line irving comedy club stand-up comedy comedians toyota music factory comedy