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The State Fair of Texas is the big end-of-summer event that takes place in Dallas each year.

Did we say BIG? Of course it is .. this is TEXAS!

In fact, it's the largest state fair by total attendance in the nation, with an estimated three million or more people attending annually.

The fair usually runs for 24 days, typically starting on the last Friday in September and ending some time in October.

This year, say howdy to the 2021 Texas State Fair when it opens on Friday, September 24 running until Sunday, October 17, 2021.

Tickets are now on sale at the official State Fair of Texas website online at bigtex.com.

All about the Texas State Fair

The very first Texas state fair was held in 1886. Not long after that, the fair became the first, and still the only, state fair with a full blown auto show which continues to be a huge attraction for fair goers.

There's also Big Tex, a talking fifty-two foot tall cowboy who just happens to be the biggest meet-and-greet host in the business! Not to mention the giant ferris wheel that was - and remains - the largest of its kind after it was introduced in 1985 standing at 212 feet tall.

All new at the 2021 Texas fair? Deep Fried Halloween! —"A large pretzel covered in candy corn
syrup, topped with sprinkles, marshmallow icing, candy corn and chocolates." YUM.

Meanwhile, the Texas State Fair also features a wide variety of more traditional state fair attractions including livestock shows, a huge variety of competitions, carnival rides, nightly free music concerts, and generous helpings of deep fried goodies for visitors who come to the fair each year during its three-week run.

(Hungry for more? Be sure to check out more Texas State Fair fun facts just up ahead.)

2021 Texas State Fair concert lineup

The 2021 Texas Fair concert lineup was announced over the summer.

Concerts are free at the Chevy Main Stage and are included when you pay admission at the gate.

CLAY WALKER
Friday, September 24 at 8:30 PM

DRU HILL
Saturday, September 25 at 2:00 PM

BLACK PUMAS
Saturday, September 25 at 8:30 PM

LA ENERGIA NORTEÑA
Sunday, September 26 at 5:30 PM

LITTLE JOE Y LA FAMILIA
Thursday, September 30 at 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM

SHINYRIBS
Friday, October 1 at 8:30 PM

KEVIN FOWLER
Saturday, October 2 at 8:30 PM

GRAND FUNK RAILROAD
Sunday, October 3 at 8:30 PM

MIKE AND THE MOONPIES
Friday, October 8 at 5:30 PM & 8:30 PM

JACK INGRAM
Saturday, October 9 at 6:00 PM

BILL ENGVALL
Saturday, October 9 at 8:20 PM

SUGAR RAY
Sunday, October 10 at 8:30 PM

LE FREAK
Monday, October 11 at 3:00 PM & 5:30 PM

KRAIG PARKER
Friday, October 15 at 5:30 PM & 8:30 PM

CHARLEY CROCKETT
Saturday, October 16 at 8:30 PM

THE LAST BANDOLEROS
Sunday, October 17 at 3:00 PM

DID YOU KNOW? Texas State Fair fun facts

• Comfortable shoes are a must for traversing the countless entertainment and attractions at the Texas State Fair, encompassed by a sole-challenging 277 acres.

• Big Tex made his debut in 1952 and quickly became a major fair landmark. Although Tex went down in a spectacular heap of flames in 2012, the new Big Tex rose from the ashes the following year a full 3 feet taller and 19,000 lbs. heftier!

Big Tex was destroyed in a fire in 2012, but was back bigger and better than ever the following year.

• In 1961, the fair became famous for 'going all Hollywood' when it served as the major backdrop to the movie musical State Fair starring Pat Boone, Ann-Margret, and Bobby Darin.

• The Big Tex Choice Awards began in 2005 to judge vendors' various assortments of fried foods. That year, the winner was a fried peanut butter, jelly and banana sandwich.

Deep Fried Texas State Fair

In recent years, the Texas State Fair has branded itself as a place to sample a huge variety of deep-fried foods — which began with the original corny dog first introduced at the fair in the 1940's.

Today, some of the more creative deep fried treats at the Texas State Fair have included deep fried pork ribs, deep fried peanut butter-jelly-and-banana sandwiches, deep fried cheesecake, deep peaches & cream, deep fried Jello, and even deep fried Coke!

Have fun!

More about the Texas State Fair around the Web:

2021 State Fair of Texas - Check out the official site with information on admission and ticket prices, concert line up, food concessions, kid-friendly attractions, directions, map, photos.

State Fair of Texas - Here's a Wikipedia overview including photos, historical facts and related resources.

The State Fair of Texas in Dallas - Find photos, highlights, historical overview and fun facts.

also see ->Christmas in Texas | Texas Beaches | Texas Wineries

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo | Houston Aquarium