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    Howdy Folks

    Top 10 ways to have the ultimate State Fair of Texas date night

    CultureMap Create
    Sep 20, 2017 | 1:18 pm

    With its twinkling lights, heart-pounding rides, and ample opportunity for snuggling up with your SO, there's no more quintessential Lone Star date than the State Fair of Texas. Even LeeAnne Locken agrees — the Real Housewife of Dallas got engaged at the Fair on a recent episode of the Bravo reality show.

    The Fair runs September 29 through October 22 at Fair Park in Dallas. Whether it's your first time visiting or your fiftieth, plan a date around these must-do activities:

    1. Take a selfie with Big Tex
    Since 1952, the giant cowboy has been welcoming folks to the Fair. Give him a wave back as you pass by, or better yet, stop and snap a picture with the big man. Use forced perspective to your advantage if you want to make it look like you're giving Big Tex a high-five or a smooch.

    2. Ride the swan boats in the Leonhardt Lagoon
    Escape from the crowds with your sweetie by pedaling for a while in these picturesque boats, which seat two adults and offer another unique backdrop for that perfect State Fair picture.

    3. Stroll through the Midway and admire the lights
    You'll find dozens of try-your-luck games and more than 70 rides on the Midway, but it's possible to enjoy this area of the Fair just by walking through it and basking in the blinking, shimmering lights. The neon tubing of the main sign was restored in 2012, meaning that it's shining its brightest for your romantic walk.

    4. Ride the Texas Star Ferris wheel
    At 212 feet tall, this iconic ride is the tallest Ferris wheel in Texas. It was originally built in Italy, then shipped to Dallas for its debut in 1985. Now it's the most popular ride at the Fair, giving riders — and enamored couples — a view all the way out to downtown Fort Worth on a clear day. At night, 16,000 red, white, and blue turbolights create a dazzling display.

    5. Share a cotton candy cone
    It's not the Fair without the food. Even though the fried creations earn their outrageous fame, there's still something about chowing down on a Fletcher's Corny Dog or getting a sugar high from sharing some freshly spun cotton candy. Plus it makes for some seriously sweet kisses.

    6. Enjoy live music
    Arguably the best part about the Chevrolet Main Stage concert series is that it's included with your Fair admission. That means you have the opportunity to listen to 75 different headliners and regional musicians, all for free. This year, get ready for Wilson Phillips, The Spazmatics, Charlie Daniels Band, Flo Rida, Maren Morris, and Pat Green, among others.

    7. Check out the new car models
    Since 1913, Texans have been oohing and ahhing over the latest autos at the Fair. Now the Texas Auto Show (it got a fancy new name this year) is the largest new car show in the Southwest, with approximately 400 of the latest models on display across three areas of Fair Park: the Automobile Building, the Centennial Building, and the Truck Zone.

    8. Show off your Midway game skills
    Is there anything more traditionally adorable than winning a prize for your date? Carnival classics abound on the Midway, so warm up your throwing arm and get ready to win big. But note: In order to play games at the Fair, you must purchase a Big Tex Game Card (found at booths and kiosks adjacent to the gaming areas).

    9. Get half off Fair admission
    There are several ways to score discounted entry to the Fair, but if you don't want to keep track of special days just remember this: Bring an empty Dr Pepper can to the gate after after 5 pm, and you're in.

    10. End the night by watching the Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation firework show
    Cap off your visit with this nightly display at the Esplanade reflecting pool. At 8 pm, marvel at a water and laser show featuring sparkling fireworks, liquid-fire fountains, dancing waters, and colorful music.

    ---

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

    Double up for a group date at the Fair.

    People with cotton candy
      
    Photo courtesy of the State Fair of Texas
    Double up for a group date at the Fair.
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    This Week's Hot Headlines

    Chuy's big move from Knox Dallas leads this week's top 5 stories

    CultureMap Dallas
    May 10, 2025 | 10:00 am
    Chuy's happy hour quesos and drinks
    Photo courtesy of Chuy's
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    Editor's note: The top Dallas news of the week kicks off with a Tex-Mex move and two fun openings. Plus, a final look at the 2025 Tastemaker Awards. Catch up on our five most popular stories below, then head to this event guide to plan your weekend.

    1. Chuy's from Knox Dallas now open at new Greenville Avenue space. An institution in Dallas' Knox Street neighborhood has been uprooted: Chuy's, the Tex-Mex restaurant that had been open at 4544 McKinney Ave. for nearly 32 years, has moved to 1520 Greenville Ave., on the lowest part of Lower Greenville, where it opened on April 28.

    2. Vending machine cafe with artsy collectible toys debuts in Lewisville. There’s a quirky new shop in Lewisville that combines toy store and cafe. Called Velcrokid, it's a place with coffee and snacks, plus designer collectible toys, now open in a former convenience store at 1298 Justin Rd.

    VelcrokidVelcrokid serves coffees and collectibles.Photo courtesy of Velcrokid

    3. Vintage downtown Dallas building to become lounge with stellar drinks. A vintage building in downtown Dallas is getting a new lease on life. Located at 1519 Main St., the space will become a spectacular new lounge and event space called 1519 Main, and it's from Hospitality Alliance, the company led by restaurant wunderkind Kevin Lillis, who helped create the original AT&T Discovery District downtown.

    4. Dallas professional soccer team chooses new name and team colors. A new era of professional soccer is coming to North Texas: The soccer entity previously known as USL Dallas has a new identity, called Atlético Dallas.

    5. Tastemaker Awards party salutes the best in Dallas restaurants in 2025. Foodies from all across Dallas showed up for the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards on May 1, celebrating Dallas' top restaurants, bars, and chefs.

    openingstex-mextoyssoccertastemaker awardsgreenville-avenuemost popular stories
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