MAIN Travel USA Texas Texas State Fair

The State Fair of Texas is the big end-of-summer event that takes place in Dallas each year. It is the largest state fair by total attendance in the United States, 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, the fair opens on Friday, September 28 and runs until Sunday, October 21, 2018.

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 is also Big Tex, a talking fifty-two foot tall cowboy who symbolizes the Texas State Fair in many ways.

First introduced in 1952, Big Tex stood for decades welcoming visitors to the fair until a fire destroyed the much-beloved figure in 2012. Amid much fanfare, Big Tex was restored just in time for the 2013 fair.

There is also a ferris wheel that was - and still remains - the largest of its kind after it was introduced in 1985 standing at 212 feet tall. (And be sure to check out more Texas State Fair fun facts just up ahead.)


2018 Texas State Fair concert lineup

This year, the Texas Fair big entertainment is expected to be announced in June as tickets go on sale available at the official State Fair of Texas website online at bigtex.com. Concerts are free at the Chevy Main Stage and included when you pay admission at the gate.

Over the summer, watch for the announcement of the 2018 Texas State Fair concert lineup. Meanwhile, keep it here for updates.

Deep Fried Texas State Fair

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

Today, some of the more outlandish deep fried treats include deep fried pork ribs, deep fried peanut butter-jelly-and-banana sandwiches, deep fried cheesecake, and even deep fried Coke!

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 plenty of exhibitors for the tons of visitors who flock to the fair during its more than three-week run.

And, this being oil-rich Texas,why not also have a a full-fledged auto show? Every year, car makers show off their latest model featuring interactive activities and live entertainment in the Centennial and Automotile buildings and in the Truck Zone.

Have fun!

DID YOU KNOW? Texas State Fair fun facts

Big Tex, the Texas Fair icon, was destroyed in a fire in 2012, but a year later reemerged big and better than ever.

• 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. heavier than the previous version.

• 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.

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

• The State Fair of Texas went all Hollywood in the 1961 when it served as the major backdrop to the movie musical "State Fair" starring Pat Boone, Ann-Margret, and Bobby Darin.

More about the Texas State Fair around the Web:

2018 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.

State Fair of Texas - Browse a good hanful of related stories and travel tips, photos and information on this year's fair.

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

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo | Houston Aquarium