Big Tex
Howdy, folks. Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year. No, not Santa’s big scene. The spotlight belongs to Big Tex. It’s time for the great State Fair of Texas, and plenty of your East Dallas neighbors are super fans who can talk about the fair all day long and dole out some expert advice for maximizing your visit.
A tradition since 1886, the State Fair of Texas reigns as the largest state fair in the United States: in its 24 day run last year, almost 2.5 million visitors walked through the gates to celebrate all things Texan.
“I am a fanatic and I’m not afraid to say it,” says East Dallas neighbor and frequent fair flyer Erin Montgomery-Marks. Any doubt of her devotion to the giant slice of Americana is dispelled when you walk into her living room to see a five-foot tall portrait of Big Tex displayed proudly on the wall.
Her love of the fair began as a kid growing up in Waxahachie in a family that attended every year. “I’ve gone on opening day every year as long as I can remember,” she says. Even when she lived in Denver for a few years, it was a trip that she made.
“My favorite things about the fair have to be the excitement in the air, the smells, the people watching. I love checking out the new vendors as well as the new foods!” Her favorite, of course, is a Fletcher’s Corny Dog. She always makes it a point to ride the Crazy Mouse and the Carousel, catch a couple of concerts, see the butter sculpture in the Creative Arts Building, and check out the Hall of State exhibit, which is different every year.
Only one trip to the fair won’t do. Montgomery-Marks always buys a season pass as soon as they go on sale and makes good use of it, averaging ten visits each run of the fair. And all those visits have made her a bit of an expert.
Of course, she advises purchasing a season pass. “If you plan on going more than once, the pass pays for itself.” She also recommends visiting at particular times. “Early mornings are less crowded and evenings are great for a concert or a quick dinner.” And she issues this important reminder: “Remember, those food coupons are good for years to come. If you have leftovers, keep them for the next year. I used a vintage 2002 coupon last year that I found cleaning out an old purse.”
Lakewood Heights neighbor Brina Tignor is another fair enthusiast. She first went to the State Fair in 1990 after moving to Dallas from Oklahoma and has been a devoted fan ever since, attending a minimum of four times each season — with a season pass, of course.
“It’s my happy place,” she smiles. “The energy is happy and there are so many things to do, eat, and see in one place. It’s also a launch into autumn for me. My birthday is always during the fair, too.”
One of her favorite sights is the Ambassador himself. “I love icons, and Big Tex rules,” she says of the 55-foot-tall animatronic cowboy in the 95-gallon hat who waves to the crowd. “I have so many pictures in front of Big Tex.”
Tignor attends on opening day every year, making a beeline for a Fletcher’s Corny Dog stand. She’s such a fan, in fact, that she named her dog Fletcher. Apparently he’s a corny dog.
She also lists deep-fried olives and deep-fried collard greens as favorite foods from past fairs. Another perk of the fair: amazing musical performances. She treasures memories of seeing Jerry Jeff Walker, Lucinda Williams, and East Dallas’s own Joshua Ray Walker.
Speaking of treasure, Tignor was checking out the midway one year, standing under a ride which flips upside down when “a rain of coins came down on me from people’s pockets! Pennies – and other coins – from Heaven!” Possible pro tip to finance more coupons?
Her advice? She seconds the wisdom of a season pass for those who plan to attend more than once. Her favorite day to go is Wednesdays as they always seem less crowded, but she also finds it’s quieter after 7:00 p.m. weekdays and later on Sundays. And she avoids attending on football game days.
Hollywood/Santa Monica neighbor Cameron Hernholm loves the fair, too. Growing up in Longview, she made the trip to Dallas each year with her parents to go to the fair. Now she shares that bond with her eight-year-old daughter Kamiyah. They never miss opening day and closing day, and they always wear matching State Fair t-shirts.
Kamiyah says, “I love saying hi to Big Tex on opening day. Howdy, folks!”
In addition to attending with her daughter and husband, Hernholm spends the day at the fair with her work team each year. She has a particular fondness for the pig races and shopping, and cherishes the special memory of first kissing her now—husband on a Texas Skyway gondola over a decade ago.
Her advice: “Opening day has relatively calm crowds and everyone and everything is new, exciting, and fresh. Closing day is a must attend to be sure to get your favorite fair food, ride and activities in since they won’t return for another 341 days.”
Ask Lakewood resident Claris Sukkar about the fair and she makes a confession: “I know it’s corny but I have to admit to having an affair with the fair.”
Her devotion translates to daily – yes, daily – visits to the fair. There are even some days when she goes twice. “I love everything about the fair but I think if I had to name a favorite it would be opening day. I like showing up just before 10 am and lining up with all the other excited fair lovers. As soon as I get in, I go straight to Big Tex for my first corn dog and beer, then just stand around, people watching and enjoying.”
Add Jack’s Fries, smoked turkey legs, and fried Oreos to her list of must-eat foods. But doesn’t the daily fair food add up to a bigger waistline? She’s found a way to indulge.
“Fair season is also marathon training season. Sometimes I do a long run in the morning and I reward myself with fried food later.”
She offers this wisdom for newbies: “Take your time and wander. Don’t try to ‘fair’ too fast. If you get too hot, duck into the car show and soak up some AC in the bed of a pickup. And always show up hungry!”
Sukkar says the State Fair gives her “a sense of pride for our Texas culture. The fair brings all kinds of people together to celebrate our shared love of all things Texas!”
PATTI VINSON is a guest writer who has lived in East Dallas for more than 20 years. She’s written for the Advocate and Real Simple magazine.
