Margaret and Rick Sorrells toast a pair of corndogs every year at the State Fair of Texas

Margaret and Rick Sorrells toast a pair of corndogs every year at the State Fair of Texas

With the State Fair of Texas just a couple of weeks away, we thought we’d share last year’s story about finding true love at the fair.

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For quite a few East Dallas couples the fair doesn’t just conjure memories of rides, food and the Texas Star ferris wheel. For them the state fair brings to mind first kisses and young love.

Take the story of Bill and Cheri Flynn as an example. In 1970 Cheri is a teenager in braces and Bill is brand new to Dallas, having moved here from Atlanta. Both attend a luncheon in the Creative Arts Building on the fair grounds. “By dessert, I was totally smitten,” Cheri smiles. Bill remembers Cheri as “really cute and outgoing.”

The two explored the Midway after lunch, checking out rides, exhibits and snacks. Bill became an Official Fairgoer with his initiation into the wonderful world of corny dogs: “I remember my first Fletcher’s corny dog as being heaven-sent. Unbelievably good.”

They recall riding the haunted house rollercoaster and tackling the Crazy House of Mirrors. But Bill, a typical high school boy at the time, remembers most vividly the auto exhibit. “I think we spent most of our time in the automobile building, sitting in all the cars we dreamed of driving.” Cheri adds, “There was an orange Corvette that we all oohed and ahhed over.”

The couple married on Dec. 17, 1977.

You can read about more stories of young love here.