TEXAS STATE FAIR
THE TEXAS STATE FAIR SEPTEMBER 25TH - OCTOBER 18TH 2009
You expect things to be big in The Lone Star State and the Texas State Fair is no exception. It is the largest State Fair in the United States, based upon annual attendance. Minnesota has the largest daily attendance, of over a million, but is only open for 12 days.
Held in Dallas, the fair has been held at Fair Park since 1886 and expects over 3 million visitors, bringing around $400 million into the Dallas economy.
Traditional State Fair attractions include livestock shows, competitions, carnival rides, musical entertainment and exhibitions. As in a previous article we highlight some of the more attractive and unusual events.
The Fair’s mascot is Big Tex, a 16m (52 feet) high model of a cowboy first introduced in 1952. His hinged jaw makes him appear to speak and he is used for programme announcements.
MUSIC
The Chevrolet Main Stage provides open air concerts daily, with top artists at the weekend. The US Marine Drum and Bugle Corps perform in afternoon concerts at Marine Square and in the evening parade. Throughout the park, street entertainers perform on small stages and street corners. On the Backdoor Stage, The Killdaires perform celtic Rock daily.
VEHICLES
The State Fair of Texas is the only State Fair to include an Auto Show, dating from 1904. This is the biggest new car and truck show in the Southwest. As you would expect, Texans love big trucks. The Truck Zone provides entertainment and offerings from all the main truck dealers. Classic Corral is the place to see and meet the owners of vintage autos and motorcycles. The BMX Bike Show has The 720 Action Sports Team performing gravity defying stunts.
MIDWAY
The traditional Midway has over 70 attractions including The Texas Skyway with 1800 feet of track, The Texas Star Ferris Wheel which at 212 feet is the largest in North America and the 1914 Denitzel Carousal.
ANIMALS
The Spirit of The Horse showcases training methods and communication with horses and is held in The Ranch Arena. There are traditional Livestock Breed Displays with pigs, sheep, cows and goats. Pig Races take place daily in The Pan American Arena. Have a bet on these cute piglets.
KIDS AND FAMILIES
The children can see and feed the sows, ewes, and nanny goats with their offspring at The Childrens Medical Center Backyard. Wannabee Buckaroos can join the Pee Wee Stampede on stick horses daily. At Little Hands On The Farm, the kids can indulge in pretend egg gathering, planting and harvesting and caring for a cow. World On A String is a daily puppet show in The Creative Arts Showplace Theatre. At The Schepps Backyard Circus the young ones can dress up and perform a make believe show with circus performers.
FOOD
Fair Days are strenuous and food and lots of it is necessary! The State Fair of Texas has acquired a reputation for providing unique fried food. Corny Dogs first appeared at the 1942 event. Recent years have seen the arrival of unusual dishes. These include, deep fried:
Oreo Cookies
Twinkies
Pork Ribs
Cheesecake
Peanut Butter
Jelly and Banana Sandwiches
and even deep fried Coke!
Forget your diet and make sure you pack your cholesterol pills.
PARADE
Every respectable State Fair has a parade and Texas has the daily Starlight Parade with illuminated floats and costumed characters.
FOOTBALL
The restored Cotton Bowl, seating 91000 spectators hosts two College Football Games and the annual Texas v Oklahoma clash on October 3rd.
SHOPPING
Before leaving indulge in a bit of shopping amongst the 300 stalls in The Coliseum Market Place, Grand Place, Gateway Pavilion, Embarcadero, The Pennsylvania Gate and other sites.
With about 7 weeks to go, now is the time to plan your visit to Big Tex and join the other 3 million in Dallas for this extravaganza of fun (and food) the Texas State Fair.
PASADENA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
DELICIOUS STRAWBERRYS
Pasadena, Texas, Strawberry Festival 15-17 May 2009
The City of Pasadena in Texas may no longer be The Strawberry Capital of The World but the residents of the 15th largest city in The Lone Star State and 40-50,000 visitors will enjoy fun and a sweet treat at the 36th Annual Pasadena Strawberry Festival in May.
The growing of strawberries was introduced into Pasadena after the Galveston Storm of 1900 which reached as far inland as Pasadena. The strawberry plants were imported to provide a quick cash crop to aid both residents and the influx of refugees from Galveston. The project was a huge commercial success, hence the earlier title of The Strawberry Capital of The World. The 2009 and 36thFestival celebrates the rebirth of a struggling small town.
The 3-day event provides fun for all the family in 106 acres at The Pasadena Fairgrounds. In this article we highlight some of the great attractions, apart from eating strawberries.
As this is Texas you would expect big things. The Festival’s Strawberry Shortcake which is produced each year made the Guinness Book of Records in 2005. A mere 1905 square feet, covered in more than a ton of strawberries, its 2009 counterpart will be unveiled and cut during the opening ceremony on the Friday.Yes, you can buy a slice.
Throughout the 3 days there is continuous musical entertainment on the International Main Stage with foot tapping and hand clapping country, rock and Tejano style music.
Contests include The High School Mud Volley Ball Tournament, open to High School students. As the name suggests, this takes place in a mud pit and can be messy! Parents should note that showers are available after the event!
The Festival Cook Off Contest, obviously does not involve strawberries but the barbecue brisket, ribs, fajitas and gumbo entries are a delicious complement to the strawberry shortcake. Strange behaviour may be observed as the chefs rituals often involve talking to the food.
Speciality attractions include The Trick Roper. Doug Whitaker mixes comedy with precise forms of skill few cowboys can execute. Doug is a master gun spinner, bullwhip artist and trick roper.
The Swifty Swine Racing and Swimming Pig Show is as the name suggests is an action packed and entertaining performance by these animals.
Mutton Bustin’ is for the little cowgirls and boys. The kids hang on to the sheep like the real cowboys ride the bulls. There are ten riders per competition and all are timed from leaving the chute to dismount. It’s a miniature rodeo.
Clowns and free games will delight the kids inside the Strawberry Field’s Children’s Pavilion which houses a petting zoo and pony rides.
In addition there is a Carnival, arts and crafts displays and of course the festival will have the usual food vendors.
You can view all the activities either from the top of the Ferris Wheel ride or in a helicopter trip above the Fairground.
Enjoy an exciting Texas tradition and take all the family to the Pasadena Strawberry Festival in May 2009.
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE
