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    State Fair Secrets

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

    CultureMap Create
    Sep 7, 2016 | 1:00 pm

    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.

    The State Fair of Texas runs September 30-October 23.

    Big Tex
      
    Photo by Jason Hays
    The State Fair of Texas runs September 30-October 23.
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    Comedy News

    Comedy chain Punch Line to open at Toyota Music Factory in Irving

    Teresa Gubbins
    Jul 14, 2025 | 5:46 pm
    Punch Line San Francisco
    Punch Line
    Punch Line San Francisco

    A renowned comedy club is coming to Dallas-Fort Worth: Punch Line, a nationwide club chain founded in San Francisco, will open a DFW location at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, at 310 W. Las Colinas Blvd. #130, taking over a prominent storefront that was previously home to a series of Brazilian steakhouses, next door to the TMF box office.

    According to a representative, the venue will open in the fall.

    This will be a fifth location of Punch Line, joining the original in San Francisco, along with Philadelphia, Sacramento, and Houston, which opened in 2024. The Dallas opening is part of a partnership with Live Nation Entertainment.

    Punch Line Comedy Club opened in San Francisco in 1978 and over the years has helped launch the careers of comedy legends such as Robin Williams, Dana Carvey, Ellen DeGeneres, and Drew Carey.

    "For 40-plus years, Punch Line has been home to comedy’s heavyweights — and now we're bringing that knockout energy to DFW, from top-tier national headliners to the rising stars right here in Texas," the club promises.

    The Dallas venue will feature comedy’s biggest names, open mic nights and showcases for DFW talent, a front-row seat to the next big thing in stand-up, plus the "intimate, classic Punch Line vibe."

    The chain offers food and beverage including fancy cocktails like prickly pear margaritas and a Tito's espresso martini. There’s a two-beverage minimum per person.

    The food menu is heavy on shareables like nachos, loaded fries, spinach-artichoke dip, Bavarian pretzel, and flatbreads such as the one with basil pesto, mozzarella, feta, and balsamic glaze.

    Dallas has always had a healthy comedy club scene, with stalwarts like the Improv; homegrown favorites like the Dallas Comedy House in Deep Ellum and TK's in Plano; and newcomers like Mic Drop Comedy in Plano.

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