Fall is right around the corner and you can almost smell the scent of corny dogs in the air! The State Fair of Texas is less than 3 weeks away and as always, will be offering a bevy of things to do, see and eat to delight most anyone. There's music on several stages all day and night, the midway with plenty of rides and games, exhibit buildings for shopping, exhibit buildings for looking & learning, and of course, all the food, where as you know, they are now frying anything that you can stick in your mouth

Here's a little history ~ The first State Fair to be held in Dallas was presented at the current location in 1886. Fair Park was the site of the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition which ran for six months and attracted 6 million people. An extended 31-day Fair in 1986 celebrated the Texas Sesquicentennial and drew almost 4 million visitors.

Into college football? It doesn't get any better than this. The Cotton Bowl has just undergone a 50 million dollar major renovation. It's seating capacity has been upped to 91,000!

The battles on the gridiron will begin October 4, at 6 p.m., with the State Fair Classic. The Grambling State Tigers will take on the Panthers of Prairie View A&M, but the real show begins at halftime when the two schools’ marching bands battle it out on the field in a must-see showcase like none other. The following Saturday, October 11, when the clock strikes 11 a.m., the storied Red River Rivalry will get underway for the 103rd time.  Officially an Oklahoma Sooner home game, the Texas Longhorns will meet their conference foes for the 79th consecutive year in Dallas.  This year’s game promises to be an all-day thriller like the 28-21 Oklahoma win last fall.  The game is sold out but will be televised nationally on ABC.

The State Fair is proud to announce a new tradition in its football showcase. On the eve of the Fair’s closing, the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions will play the East Central University Tigers of Ada, Oklahoma, in the first-of-three meetings in the Cotton Bowl, the other two set for 2009 and 2010. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, October 18, at 2 p.m.

You want to be entertained? So be it! Here's a sampling of what you will see on the Main Stage this year:
Lady Antebellum "Top New Group." Opening night, Sept. 26
The Zac Brown Band Saturday, Sept. 27
Demi Lovato, Sept. 28
Rodney Atkins, Oct. 3
Bell Biv DeVo, Oct. 4, before the Grambling vs. Prairie View game.
Kellie Pickler, Oct. 5
Kevin Fowler, Oct. 11
Kraig Parker's "Tribute to Elvis.", Oct. 12
Jordan Pruitt, Oct. 13
Jessica Simpson, Oct. 17
The Michelle Branch Special Acoustic Performance, Oct. 18
A.B. Quintanilla and Kumbia King All Starz, Oct. 19

And take a look at highlights of events around the fairgrounds:
'ILLUMINATION SENSATION!': Spectacular light show captures the Ignite Your Senses! theme with high tech visual effects, fire and pyrotechnics. Nightly, 8 p.m., along the 700-ft. Esplanade reflecting pool. Sponsored by Mattress Firm. FREE.

DOMINO MAN: Watch the Domino Man make a new visual masterpiece, every day, using sets of the dotted gaming pieces. See 'em topple each evening at 6:15 p.m., complete with special effects. Daily, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. in the African American Museum. FREE.

TEXAS SKYWAY: High-flying fun, plus a panoramic view, await. It's all aboard and high-flyin' fun for passengers gliding above Fair Park in 35 Art Decoinspired gondolas. Traveling more than 1,800 ft. from one station to the other, it accommodates passengers with strollers or wheelchairs. Sponsored by Mrs.Baird's.

HIGH-FLYING DAREDEVILS: Using sway poles, the world-famous Nerveless Nocks will thrill fairgoers in Gateway Plaza. Multiple performances daily. Sponsored by McDonald's. FREE.

STARLIGHT PARADE: The after-dark favorite features illuminated floats, giant puppets and characters in fantastic costumes. This bright extravaganza glides through the park nightly at 7:15 p.m. Sponsored by Kitchen Craft. FREE.

L'OREAL: Here's an idea: Stop by this sleek exhibit where L'Oréal Paris, one of the world's top beauty care brands, offers a chance to experiment with looks, color and fresh ideas. Find it in East Park Plaza. FREE.

SAND SCULPTURE: Big Tex meets King Tut in the Coliseum Market Place when Team Sandtastic transforms 100 tons of sand into replicas of Big Tex and Tutankhamun. Young fairgoers have an opportunity to enjoy a special play area located adjacent to the sculpture. Daily in the Coliseum. FREE.

THE SMARTHOUSE: Not a moment too soon! Enter and discover the latest time and energy-saving technologies in this exhibit featuring the latest in "green" home applications designed by women engineers. Visitors will also have an opportunity to interact with the latest state-of-the-art features. Daily, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., in The Women's Museum. FREE.

IKEA CELEBRITY KITCHEN: An incredible see-it-to-believe-it kitchen by IKEA provides the backdrop for this popular event in Creative Arts. Local and regional celebrity chefs demonstrate recipes of all kinds in daily shows. FREE

TOTAL DIGITAL HOME:  Time Warner Cable’s interactive exhibit showcases the next evolution of TV, internet and phone.  Fairgoers can watch live demonstrations of the latest products and services and learn how to transform their houses into Total Digital Homes powered by Time Warner Cable’s advancedfiber network.  Open Friday thru Monday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. in Gateway Plaza.  Exhibit closes at 9 p.m. on T-W-Th.  FREE.

BIRDS OF THE WORLD: Steve Martin's free-flight bird show celebrates its 20th consecutive year at the Fair with feathered performers from around the globe, plus a photo opportunity with the world's largest species of owl. Free shows, four times daily in the Band Shell. Sponsored by Kroger Food Stores. FREE.

STATE FAIR OF TEXAS WINE GARDEN: Visitors can explore the world of wine in an attractive courtyard setting. Experts will conduct Wine 101 classes, and Texas vintners will answer questions during scheduled tastings throughout the run of the Fair. Special jazz performances are scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays at the Go Texan stage in the garden.  Located on Nimitz Drive across the street from the Creative Arts Building. Sponsored by Kroger .

UNITED STATES MARINES: Straight from Washington, D.C., the famed U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps thrills the crowds in afternoon concerts at Marine Corps Square and in the evening parade from Sept. 26 - October 12 (except Wednesdays). FREE.

STATE FAIR FALL GARDEN EXHIBITION: The dirt will fly as landscaping companies vie for Best of Show bragging rights in this annual gardening competition. Median strips, traffic isles and fountain bases throughout Fair Park will feature the landscapers' creations. Design and planting information is available each step of the way. FREE.

Plus you can ALWAYS head off the the museums. There's lots to see in Fair Park, home to the African American Museum, Continental DAR House, Dallas Aquarium, Museum of the American Railroad, Museum of Nature & Science, Hall of State, Texas Discovery Gardens and The Women's Museum.

Here's a schedule of daily events during the fair:
http://216.197.122.150/ns/fairevents/Calendar.asp?date=9/26/2008&View=ONEDAY 

TICKET PRICES:

• General Admission: $14
• Kids under 48" tall: $10
• Seniors 60 and over: $10
• Children 2 and under: Free
• Seniors 60 and over: Free every Thursday (Oct. 2, Oct. 9 & Oct. 16)
• Garden Getaway combo ticket: $17

Parking $10 in official lots

Want to ride the Dart shuttle? You'll find the schedule here: http://www.dart.org/statefair/statefair.asp?zeon=bigtex

Texas State Fair 2008
Fair Park Fairgrounds
Dallas
September 26 - October 19  10am to 10pm

More info: http://www.bigtex.com/

 

Texas State Fair Video