What is the State Fair of Texas known for? Here’s what makes the fair worth the drive

Megan Cardona
·3 min read
3

The State Fair of Texas starts Sept. 29, kicking off 24 days of fair fun.

Established in 1886, the State Fair of Texas continues to promote Texas agriculture, education and community involvement in a family-friendly environment annually.

The State Fair is held in Fair Park in Dallas, which can range from a 40 minute drive to an hour for Fort Worth residents.

Here are five State Fair attractions that make it worth the drive:

Big Tex

The State Fair of Texas wouldn’t be the same without a Texas-sized “Howdy, folks!” greeting by the one and only Big Tex.

The 55-foot-tall animatronic cowboy has been the iconic mascot of the State Fair of Texas since 1952 and has seen his fair share of ups and downs, most notably burning down in 2012.

Big Tex returned in 2013 standing taller than before and continues to be a great photo opportunity for fairgoers today.

Whether you’re heading into the fair or leaving, make sure to give Big Tex a “Howdy” as you pass by.

Fair food

You may be hard-pressed to find foods like cotton candy or funnel cake at your everyday eateries, but during the 24 days of the State Fair of Texas these fair foods are around every corner.

Between Sept. 29 to Oct. 22, fairgoers can enjoy State Fair food favorites like funnel cake, turkey legs, roasted corn, candy apples, cotton candy and, of course, Fletcher’s Original Corny Dogs.

Food can be purchased with fair coupons. If you still have coupons from last year’s State Fair, you can use them on food for this year.

Midway rides

With more than 70 rides and Midway games, the State Fair offers hours of entertainment.

Most notable is the iconic 212-ft. Texas Star Ferris wheel, perfect for a view overlooking the fairgrounds and beyond.

For younger fairgoers, the Kidway offers rides suitable for children two years and older.

Most rides range from five to 12 coupons with the majority of Kidway rides less than six coupons.

Ride and food coupons now apply to games. Games range from three to 20 coupons.

Football

The State Fair Classic football game between Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M University will be Sept. 30 at Cotton Bowl Stadium, which sits in the middle of the fairgrounds.

The Allstate Red River Rivalry game between University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma will be Oct. 7.

More than 100,000 people travel to the State Fair for this game, which has been played at Cotton Bowl stadium since 1929.

Tickets for both games can be purchased through each university’s athletic office.

Rodeo

It wouldn’t be a state fair in Texas without rodeo events.

Rodeos will be held in the historic Fair Park Coliseum, home of the 1959 Original National Finals Rodeo.

From the Mexican Rodeo Fiesta to the United Professional Rodeo Association World Finals, there is a rodeo event each weekend of the fair.

  • Sept. 29-30: United Professional Rodeo Association Big Tex Rodeo Series Championship

  • Oct. 1: Mexican Rodeo Fiesta

  • Oct. 6-7: Texas vs. Oklahoma Rodeo Showdown

  • Oct. 8: State Fair of Texas Youth Rodeo Finals

  • Oct. 13-14: Cowboys of Color Rodeo

  • Oct. 15: State Fair of Texas Ranch Rodeo

  • Oct. 19-22: United Professional Rodeo Association World Finals

All rodeos begin at 6:30 p.m. and are free with your fair admission ticket.