EEK! We’re just one week away from the 2019 State Fair of Texas! So today I’m going to share with you 10 things to do at the Texas State Fair. I LOVE to go to the fair each year and look forward to the food, exhibitions, animals and variety of entertainment. This year’s fair theme is CELEBRATING TEXAS CREATIVITY and tickets can be purchased here. Over the years I’ve learned a few tips and tricks to easily navigate the State Fair of Texas so I thought I would share them today. Plus, I am going to highlight what’s new this year! BONUS: I’m giving away 20 tickets to the State Fair of Texas!
Quick update on recent GIVEAWAYS: Everyone who got in to the Downton Abbey advance screening has been notified. Can’t wait to see you all on Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM for the VIP reception! Congratulations to Mary M. She is the winner of the Downton Abbey grand prize! Also, Shelley G., Debbie F., Luci H. and Kelley R. – look for a surprise coming your way in the mail this week. You are the four subscribers randomly selected to WIN a box full of new beauty products by leaving comments. Thank you to everyone for all of the blog love! 🙂
My biggest piece of advice is to attend the State Fair of Texas on opening day. The fair starts on Friday, September 27 and will run for three weeks ending on Sunday, October 20. Why opening day? The food is fresh, the vendors are excited about opening day and everything is a bit cleaner, in my opinion. The gates will open at 10:00 AM! Here are some important tidbits about this years State Fair of Texas that will help you navigate your experience. This is of course in addition to all the amazing stuff we already know about such as the Texas Auto Show, the Midway, livestock exhibitions, college football games, arts & crafts and the petting zoo.
10 Things To Do At The Texas State Fair
- Texas has a lot of great wine, which is why the State Fair Wine Garden is giving you three ways to try the different varieties. Throughout all 24 days of the Fair, wines are sold by the taste, glass, and bottle.
- There is also a stage that features shows daily during the run of the Fair. Details here.
- Produced in partnership by the State Fair of Texas and the Dallas Historical Society, “TEXAS CINEMA” focuses on the history and impact of film performers and creators from the Lone Star State, as well as the depiction of Texas through film. Incorporating a substantial amount of video and other media elements, the Great Hall will come alive with interactive opportunities and valuable historical artifacts. Through a partnership with the Dallas International Film Festival, the Hall of State’s Hill Auditorium will feature screenings all day. Experience “Texas Cinema” at the Hall of State this fall.
Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation
- Set along a scenic reflecting pool, Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation wows the crowd with dancing waters, fireworks and high-energy pop music with engaging performances by dancers and acrobats. Nightly at 8:15 p.m.
2019 Big Tex Choice Award Winners
- Since 2005, the Big Tex Choice Awards contest has solidified the State Fair of Texas as the top Fair for great food creations. Each year, State Fair concessionaires fry up tasty and unique foods for a chance to become a finalist in the annual Big Tex Choice Awards competition. Everything from Fried Beer to Fried Peaches and Cream has made the cut to become a part of the exclusive club of fried food creations. There is also a list of new food items here.
- This year’s winners are:
- Best Taste – Savory: Ruth’s Stuffed Fried Taco Cone
- Best Taste – Sweet: Big Red Chicken Bread
- Most Creative: Fla’Mango Tango
Online Guided Itineraries
- Go to https://bigtex.com/schedule/
- Click “2019 Guided Itineraries”
- Select the Itinerary you would like to see/download
Casa de Chocolate: A Sweet Indulgent Affair
- Housed inside the Women’s Museum, Mundo Latino will present Casa de Chocolate, “A Sweet Indulgent Affair.” This exhibit offers fairgoers a one-of-a-kind glimpse into the origin and history of chocolate along with demos, classes, and loads of amazing chocolate.
GO TEXAN Pavilion
- Known to fairgoers as the ultimate food destination for all things Texan, the GO TEXAN Pavilion is a daily showcase of Lone Star cuisine. Presented by the Texas Department of Agriculture, the GO TEXAN Pavilion offers 25,000 square feet of space which houses dozens of exhibitors on a daily basis. Features include a range of exhibitors such as Texas honey and live bees, Texas toffee sampling, Kitchen Craft cooking demos, and much, much more!
- The State Fair of Texas has announced that it is tweaking its Opening Day celebration, which is Friday, September 27. It is continuing the annual tradition of the Opening Day Parade; however, the parade will take place in Fair Park beginning this year to accommodate other events and activities planned as part of the start to the 24-day State Fair.
Contain Yourself(ie)
- Ready, set, smile! The area around the historic Lagoon will be transformed into a walking selfie stroll called Contain Yourself(ie) Stop and pose by one of ten beautifully painted shipping containers. Aligning with our theme, “Celebrating Texas Creativity,” these shipping containers will feature one-of-a-kind artwork painted by participating Texas artists.
- The State Fair of Texas presents the 2019 Lone Star Music Series, offering FREE daily live music by Texas musicians on four stages across the fairgrounds. In addition to headlining concerts on the Chevrolet Main Stage, enjoy local acts from the DFW area every day of the Fair on the Bud Light Stage, Coca-Cola Stage, Dr Pepper Stage, and Texas Monthly Stage. Fairgoers can see more than 45 different musical acts representing a wide variety of genres during this year’s 24-day run, all included in the price of admission. With genres ranging from rock & roll to country and jazz to R&B, this year’s Lone Star Music Series offers something for everyone.
WOW! That seems like a lot of information but I really do hope it helps you plan your visit. And if you are like me, you will go several times during the three week run because well all need more than one Fletcher’s Original State Fair Corny Dog! Am I right?
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and tell me your favorite State Fair of Texas memory. The rides? The midway? The food? What is something that is a fond memory? Comments must be left by Friday, September 20 at 11:59 PM (CST) to count as an entry. All winners will be notified by e-mail. Good Luck!
xoxo – Tanya
P.S. Did you know that the State Fair of Texas coupons never expire? If you have some from last year be sure to bring them with you. The vendors will take them for food and rides.
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photo: Audrie Dollins
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What do you like to do at your local state fair? Share in a comment below!
Tags: 10 things to do at the fair, Big Tex, Dallas, fair, fashion, State Fair of Texas, State Fair of Texas 2019, Texas
You look like a school girl! Super cute and always having fun!
Nails look amazing. Love the soft color. What brand and color is this?
Thank you Carol. It’s a dip polish and its #11. Unfortunately, I don’t know the color.
Tanya
Gigi New york promo code WEAREFRIENDS is not valid. Is there a typo??
thx
Debbie-
It’s working for me. You enter it at check out.
xoxo- Tanya 🙂
Thank you sO sO much Tanya!! The Big O key rings look FABULOUS on you!! 🙂
I live in Shreveport, Louisiana and have never been. I say EVERY year I want to make it a point to go. I would LOVE tickets!
I moved to the dfw area last month and I am so excited to go to the State Fair of Texas for the first time in a couple of weeks! Thank you for this post. I can’t wait to check out the Texas wine garden!
Our fondest memory of the state fair is our daughter getting out in the middle of the parade route and dancing to the music when she was just one and a half years old
An old friend from TJC! I don’t remember this but the story is: We wnt to the state fair mid to early 60’s…My grandmother was carrying me on her hip as always ( she had been asking me the whole trip up from Corpus “John where are you going?” I would answer the Sate fair!) We arrived and she asked me ” John. where are you?” I grabbed her face and said “Right here MIMI” lol that is my state fair story. Going to the UT game with my boys this year. Would love to catch up!
I love the corn dogs!
Great State Fair tips-thank you for sharing! Believe it or not, I have only been once years ago-my favorite thing was the Deep-Fried Cuban Roll! It was so much fun! I definitely need to go back!
My memories of the fair was with my husband and children playing the games, watching the kids on the rides, all the shows, shopping and of coarse the food, my husband past in 2015 and I’ve only gone once since then. Hopefully will make it this year with my family.
My FAVORITE time of the year!!!!! This year I’m taking your advise and going on opening day. I’ve been every year since I was little. My all time favorite, is being at the fair at night when all of the lights are on!!!!
My fondest memories of the state fair getting my children arm bands and watching how excited they would get when they were small running from ride to ride.
We always go to the fair – be it a State Fair Dar night or playing hooky on a Friday. We especially love trying out the new foods. We always take a selfie with Big Tex!
Hi! My favorite State Fair was being chosen to ride on the Creative Arts float in the parade on the closing day in 1987.
I was given this honor because I was awarded earlier that day as the “Best Competitor”, (most wins), in the Creative Arts cooking contests during the fair… what made it so fun and special was that the runner up was also on the float with me… that person was my mother!!!
CANNOT wait for a corny dog! Yum!
My favorite memory was last year taking my twin 7-year-olds on a Monday with no crowd. The weather was nice and my husband and mom went too. ❤️
5 years ago Travis took me to the Texas State Fair for the first time and the highlight of the night was riding the swings and looking out over the entire fair lit up! It was magical! I look forward to going back and experiencing that same feeling every year!!!♥️
The butter sculptures!
My favorite thing is to take my children to the petting zoo! They love it! Last year, we saw one of the animals give birth!
Thank you for the awesome tips. So much to see at the Fair.
Favorite fair memory is going with friends and us all getting a different fried treat and sitting around a picnic table sharing with one another
My boyfriend and I are from Indiana and usually feel pretty home sick around this time. When we first moved and heard about the state fair we knew it was something we needed to experience. We navigated Dallas, found parking and made our way into the fair. It was unlike anything we had ever seen. “Everything is bigger in Texas” couldn’t have been more true. It felt like a bigger version of the tiny fairs we had back home and we immediately felt better about being so far away from home.( a corny dog,turkey leg, and funnel cake definitely helped..) Every year since then we have made a point of going and will continue to keep up the tradition even when we have kids!
Thanks for your post, deff got me in the mood for fall!!
Abby
The food and the Texas OU game — Go Sooners!!
Corn dogs!!
No memory yet – since I haven’t been to State Fair ☹️
I remember going to the State Fair for the first time with my entire school from Weatherford in 1960. I was in the 2nd grade. Fast forward to the 80s & 90s and I was once again going. but with my husband & children this time. Then in the early 2000s a friend talked me into competing in the Creative Arts food competitions. That was so much fun, especially when Grandpa and several grandchildren came along to watch Granny compete. I didn’t win many ribbons, but I loved the experience.
My favorite memory of the State Fair is attending it with my new boyfriend in the ’60’s. That boyfriend is now my husband of 47 years.
I love the fair! I can hardly wait for it to begin!
My favorite part/memory is the food! Last year I was obsessed with the Cotton Candy Taco! So fun!
Thank you for all the fun tid-bits this was a fun read!
My favorite memories of the State fair go back coming to the Texas vs OU game and experiencing it with my family as a child to later as a college student. We are big UT and state fair fans and now my daughter goes to OU. We love trying all the food, wines, beers , the atmosphere sets you up looking forward to Fall! Love all the animals ! Its just good family fun and a family tradition!!!
My niece goes to OU, so going to State Fair during TEXAS OU game is always a family affair. We cheer, enjoy rides with kiddos, and try all the new food winners.
My favorite times going to the State Fair was going through the exhibits and, taking the kids to pet the animals. I also always bought my Mom a box of Taffy, which was a treat to her and about the only place you could buy it at the time. And, of course, the corny dogs!
OMG, the year they had the fried BEER and fried BUTTER !!!!! What’s next??
I did not know the coupons do not expire Tanya! I have always given mine away on the way out to a family with children. WOW! Thank you for sharing that tidbit and all the cool things to see this year at the Great State Fair Of Texas!
The State Fair of Texas is the best time of year. So much family & food indulging! We have our favorites, along with viewing the automobiles.
My all time favorite memory is when in High School (1979-80)I went to fair with FFA and FHA Day!! The haunted house was by far my most memorable thing there!! So much fun with many friends!!
When I was younger (probably in my mid-twenties) my mom was in a volunteer group that let you buy tickets to benefit a charity and they opened the fair early the night before opening day. She always gave me the tickets and my friends and I always had a blast riding the rides and eating with no lines at all! To my knowledge, it’s not done anymore — if only!
My husband and I go multiple times every year. We eat our favs fried pbj and always try something new. I even made us matching shirts
Love the fair!!
It’s the best time of the year!!!
I moved from California to Texas a few years ago & let me just say.
I wasn’t born here, but I got here as fast as I could!!! I love the food, everything is bigger in Texas including its flavor in food. Being 4 months pregnant all I can think about is those Fletchers Corny Dogs and fried Oreos!!!
I’ve never been! Heard amazing stories though! We’re going this year and will be using this advice! Thanks!!
Fun post about the fair! My favorite State Fair memory is the year my parents, my sister and her 4 year old and I and my 5 and 9 year old boys all went to the fair together. It was such a fun, fun day! Now those 4 and 5 year olds are freshmen in college! Hoping to make it to the Fair this year.
Moved here recently. Hoping to go this year!
My favorite memory is the food!!! I just think about the food all year long!! Last year was sorta a bad year because of all the bad weather and the only day my boyfriend and i could go was the very LAST DAY. Most of the food was gone but we made memories of what was left… and i think that was the most fun i ever had 🙂