The State Fair of Texas

There is nothing quite like the State Fair of Texas. Oprah did a show on it a few years ago and Ellen did a segment on it last fall. But in the off chance you haven’t heard of it, the State fair of Texas is the largest state fair in the world, and celebrates all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement. The fair is something we grew up attending. We even got a day off of school for it!

The most iconic item of the State Fair of Texas is Big Tex. You’ve heard the saying “everything is bigger in Texas” and Big Tex is no exception. Standing 55 feet tall, decked out in western apparel from head to toe, Big Tex waves at the crowd and spouts out his signature phrase, “Howdy folks. I’m Big Tex”, in his slow southern drawl. The State Fair of Texas offers all of the typical fair activities, such as over 1,000 creative arts categories, where you can subject your family’s apple pie recipe for judging in hopes of winning that blue ribbon. Or of course there are the livestock exhibitions, where you can show off that prized pig. But the biggest draw at the State Fair of Texas is the food. Fried food, more specifically.

Last week while we were in Texas we attended opening day of the State Fair of Texas. Here are some photos from our afternoon.

We randomly stumbled upon a little piece of New York. Still a little confused as to why there is a Statue of Liberty in the middle of Fair Park?

Fletcher’s corny dogs are to the State Fair of Texas as Nathans hot dogs are to Coney Island. Any true Texan has taken a photo with Big Tex while holding a corny dog.

Tornado Twisters = spiraled potatoes, fried, served with Cajun seasoning and ketchup

Fried Oreos = double stuff Oreos that are battered and fried and served hot with a sprinkling of powdered sugar

Red Velvet Funnel Cake = red velvet batter fried funnel cake style served with a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of cream cheese sauce

While the above are all pretty conventional fair foods, the State Fair of Texas is famous for some of the most unconventional fried foods imaginable. This years Big Tex Choice Awards include a carrot cake roll served with a caramel macchiato cream sauce and a smoky bacon margarita. Previous winners include things like fried butter, fried beer, and even fried bubblegum!

No trip to the fair is complete without a spin on the Texas Star- the largest ferris wheel in Texas and an iconic staple of the Dallas skyline.

Be sure to close out your day at the fair by stopping to watch the Starlight Parade featuring a colorful assortment of illuminated floats, life-size puppets, stilt-walking performers and animated characters in ornate costumes. The bold and bright procession glides through the park nightly at 7:15 p.m.

Have you ever been to the State Fair of Texas? Is there a fair where you live? What’s your favorite thing to do at the fair?

-Ashley xx