Howdy, Folks! It’s State Fair Time in Texas

Texans have a lot to look forward to each fall. Cooler weather, of course, although that doesn’t usually come to stay until close to Halloween. There’s football- lots of great college and professional teams to pick from there. Fall holidays, obviously, are always fun. Who doesn’t love Halloween? And Thanksgiving? And then there is the great State Fair of Texas, hosted at Fair Park in Dallas each year in late September and early to mid October.

The State Fair of Texas was established in 1886 to promote Texas agriculture, education and community involvement. The event itself spans 24 days, making it the longest-running state fair in the nation, as well as one of the biggest (because we all know what they say about Texas, right?). Today’s fairgoers can do so much when they plan a visit to Fair Park, including hang out with animals at the petting zoo, listening to live music, trying out all sorts of fried foods, test driving vehicles and so much more. If you’ve never been to the great State Fair of Texas, make 2024 the year you change that!

Four reasons to visit the State Fair of Texas in 2024

1. Food, food, food. If you go to the fair and don’t enjoy the food, you’re doing it wrong! The state fair is not a place to count calories, it’s a place to indulge and enjoy! New concoctions emerge every year to try to woo fairgoers, and old favorites (like synonymous-with-the-state-fair Fletcher’s corn dogs!) show up to remind everyone how great it is to have fun with your food every now and again. Some new items to look out for this year include caramel macchiato fritters, cookie butter nachos and Oktoberfest pizza.
2. Family-friendly fun and shows. Yes, the state fair is a family affair! Kids and adults alike can enjoy all the live entertainment that will wow at the fair, including Cirque du Soleil: Songblazers (additional ticket purchase required). New this year is a nightly parade at 7:15 featuring unique light-up floats. And don’t skip the dinosaurs at the lagoon, where kids of all ages can see giant statues of the dinosaurs that once roamed the earth.
3. Rides for all ages at the Midway. Whether you like wild rides or kiddie rides, there is something for everyone at the state fair. Don’t miss the Texas Star Ferris Wheel, which will give you a view of Dallas from 212 feet up, or the 1914 Dentzel carousel, which has been a fair staple since the 1950s. With more than 70 rides in the midway for fairgoers of all ages, you’re sure to feel like a kid again at the fair. 
4. Creative Arts Building– Celebrate the talents of your fellow Texans at the Creative Arts Building. You will be in awe of the butter sculpture carved from more than 1,000 pounds of this dairy product depicting the theme of this year’s fair. While you’re viewing this sculpture, take in all of the works of art created by Texans in the food, art and craft categories. Texans are truly talented people! Don’t forget to sit for some of the cooking demonstrations- many of them come with free samples. Yum!

Happy State Fair Season, friends!

Dallas-area lodging

Come to the Dallas area to enjoy the state fair and stay for all the fun that North Texas has to offer! Loyd Park in Grand Prairie, just to the west of Dallas, is the perfect spot to stay when you are visiting to partake in all the fun the state fair brings to Dallas for 24 straight days. Loyd Park offers up gorgeous views of Joe Pool Lake as well as a myriad of amenities to make you comfortable after you spend long days traversing and enjoying the fairgrounds. Choose from cabins, yurts or other lodging options and then kickback and relax. Enjoy Dallas!