State Fair of Texas: The Home of Tomorrow

Get ready to say “howdy” to Big Tex, munch a corny dog and ride the humongous Texas Star Ferris wheel. That’s right, the State Fair of Texas kicks off this weekend.

FAIR FACTS

DATES Opens Friday and runs through Oct. 23.

THEME “State Fair of Texas: A Timeless Tradition: 125 Years.”

HOURS Exhibit buildings open daily at 10 a.m. They close at 10 p.m. Fridays through Mondays and 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. Museum and midway hours vary; call 214-565-9931 for more information.

LOCATION In the 277-acre Fair Park, just off Interstate 30, southeast of downtown Dallas.

TICKET PRICES AT THE GATE $16 general admission, $12 for children under 48 inches tall and ages 60 and older, free for children 2 and younger.

PARKING Self-parking on State Fair lots (designated with “Official State Fair Parking” signs) is $15. Valet parking is available at Grand Avenue (daily) and Haskell-Parry (Saturdays and Sundays only) entrances for $30. Spaces for people with disabilities are available on a first-come, first-served basis in official lots (parking fees apply); fair organizers caution that there’s extra demand for these spots on Senior Citizen Days and on weekends.

RIDING DART 214-979-1111. www.dart.org/statefair.

INFORMATION AND DAILY SCHEDULES 214-565-9931. www.bigtex.com.

HANDY FAIR-RELATED DATES AND TIMES

OPENING DAY PARADE The free annual extravaganza features colorful floats, drill teams and plenty more to get you in the fairgoing spirit. It steps off Friday at noon from Houston and Main streets in downtown Dallas and ends at Main Street and Good-Latimer in Deep Ellum.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES STATE FAIR CLASSIC Grambling State and Prairie View A&M face off Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park. Details at www.alwe.com.

RED RIVER RIVALRY The University of Oklahoma takes on the University of Texas on Oct. 8 at 11 a.m. at the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park.

RELIANT STARLIGHT PARADE The nightly procession, featuring floats and giant puppets, kicks off each night at 7:15. The U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps leads off the parade (except on Wednesdays) through Oct. 16. It’s free with fair admission and starts near Texas Discovery Gardens.

ILLUMINATION CELEBRATION Check out the light and pyrotechnics show nightly at 8 on the Esplanade reflecting pool.

- Ann Pinson, Guide