Thursday, October 3, 2013

Why You Need to Visit the State Fair of Texas

Welcome back, Big Tex!

The State Fair of Texas started in 1886 and is still going strong today.  Last year, the Fair ended on a sour note when our beloved Big Tex went up in flames. But, as you can see from the photo above, after spending this past year recuperating at an undisclosed location he is back and better than ever!

I have written about the State Fair of Texas many times. I think it's one of our city's best entertainment offerings and I encourage everyone to go at least once (a year). I usually go 2-3 times a season: We go as a family and do the Midway thing - spending a fortune on games we never win and getting on rides that scare the water out of me - and then my husband and I go back for date night.  We troll all the fried food booths and explore the exhibits that kids hate (who won the blue ribbon for canned foods, shop the Texas store with all of the food products, slowly wander through the automobile building looking at all of the new car models). The State Fair of Texas is currently open and will run through October 20. Find out more at http://www.bigtex.com/sft/.


Here are a few things I love about the Fair:


Texas Star Ferris Wheel: At 212-foot (65 m) it is the largest in North America and provides a spectacular view of the Fair grounds and Downtown Dallas

Fried foods abound at the State Fair of Texas. Click here to see the newest offerings for 2013.

Spend $40 to win your child a $3 piece of crap toy on the Midway
Yes. There is a wine garden at the Fair!

Click here to see fun photos from this year's State Fair of Texas

There are a million "guides" to navigating a successful trip to the State Fair of Texas. Eater Dallas has compiled them all into one handy dandy post. Check it out at http://dallas.eater.com/archives/2013/09/26/the-eater-dallas-guide-to-state-fair-of-texas-guides.php.

Thank you to the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau for inviting me to attend opening day of this year's Fair with them! Click over to http://www.visitdallas.com to learn about more fun things our city has to offer!