Margaret and Rick Sorrells toast a pair of corndogs every year at the State Fair of Texas
Big Tex, corny dogs, the Texas Star ferris wheel, cows, fried Snickers: for most of us, these are the sights, sounds and flavors of the State Fair of Texas. But for some East Dallas residents, the fair carries romantic significance, bringing to mind hearts aflutter, stolen kisses and memories of young love.
Bill and Cheri Flynn, Lakewood neighbors, know a thing or two about it. Let’s travel back to 1970. Cheri is a teenager in braces. 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 and had their reception at what was then known as State Fair Music Hall (now Music Hall at Fair Park). And the State Fair of Texas tradition continues: “We haven’t missed a fair in 45 years,” says Cheri. “We start looking forward to it about August as we dream about corny dogs and Jack’s tacos.” The Flynns, along with their children and now grandchildren, have a “planned itinerary” which includes cows, corny dogs and creative arts. “We are especially looking forward to this year’s fair because we have a 2-year-old granddaughter who needs exposure to the Flynn family traditions at the State Fair of Texas.”
Finding love at the fair seems to be an East Dallas staple. Forest Hills neighbors Rick and Margaret Sorrells were freshmen at UNT in 1974 when they became acquainted after Rick casually dated Margaret’s roommate. In those pre-cellphone days, Rick called on the dorm phone, asked Margaret for a date, and she hesitantly agreed. “It ended up being a stressful year between roommates,” she laughs.
Rick suggested they go to the State Fair: “It’s so magical. In the evening everything is lit up! It’s a fun place where you can look at exhibits, grab something to eat and enjoy some rides. There is so much going on it makes for great conversation.”
Margaret, an East Dallas native, had attended the fair throughout her childhood but found it a “different experience” with Rick. As a youth, her parents would drop her off or she would ride the bus, and she would take in the sights and sounds before dark. Attending in the evening left an impression. “It made the fair more exciting as things were lit up,” she remembers, then adds, “I also think it was exciting because it was a date.”
Rick remembers “a light breeze which made the night perfect for being outside.” The couple dined on corny dogs (of course), checked out the automobile building, then stood at the giant feet of Big Tex until he offered up his “Howdy, Folks!” Then it’s off to the midway. “It felt very crowded, and there were lots of young couples at the fair. You had to push your way to get through,” Margaret recalls.
The siren song of the carnies lured the couple to the games. Margaret smiles at the memory of Rick trying to win something for her. Alas, they walked away $30 later with only a “consolation prize.”
They rode the wooden rollercoaster a few times, the bumper cars, the Swiss Skyride (precursor of the Texas Skyway) and, oh my, the Tunnel of Love.
The State Fair must have worked its magic. “When I got home that night,” says Margaret, “I told my mother that I was going to marry that boy.”
They did indeed marry a few years later, coincidentally the same date as Bill and Cheri, Dec. 17. And, yes, they attend the fair every year to celebrate that date. “This year’s fair will be our 41st anniversary of our first date. We toast that anniversary every year with a corny dog and a kiss!”
The tradition of love at the State Fair of Texas continues. Neighbors Amanda Mayfield and Danny Hampton had their first date at the music venue on the grounds (ZZTop), and their second date watching fireworks at the Cotton Bowl. They will wed on Oct. 3, with a reception following in the foyer of the coliseum on the fairgrounds. “It seemed fitting to celebrate the beginning of our marriage at the place where memorable first moments took place.”
Amanda adds, “Since the reception will take place during the fair, we will spend most of the time riding rides, playing games and eating fried food with our friends and family.”
