Just about anyone will argue that the State Fair of Texas is something you need to experience at least once in your lifetime. From the deep-fried food, the concerts, the pig races, rides, concessions, and even shopping, you’ll probably want to come a few times during its three-week run at Fair Park.
This year’s guide is for everyone headed to the fairgrounds. That includes the longtime State Fair dabblers, the dyed-in-the-wool season pass buyers, and even neophyte fairgoers. We’re here to give you the insider tips you need to make sure you never pay full price for admission, food, rides, or anything else. (Unless you really, really want to.) The State Fair of Texas opens on September 27 and runs through October 20. We’re here to help you make the most of it. Remember, a single coupon is $1.
Looking for a map to the fairgrounds? Here it is.
Opening Day
Bring two jars of peanut butter! If you’re headed to the fair on September 27, bring two jars of peanut butter to donate to the North Texas Food Bank and receive $10 admission at the gate. Each person will need to bring two jars to get the discount.
Every Other Day
Be a toddler. The State Fair of Texas offers free admission every day of the fair for children ages two and younger.
Be a student. The State Fair of Texas gives away more than 2 million free student and teacher ticket vouchers every year.
Important note: You can’t just drop your kids off at the fair anymore. Starting at 5 p.m. each day, anyone 17 and younger must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone (21+) when entering Fair Park. Parents, guardians, or chaperones may accompany no more than six minors 17 years of age and under.
Be patient. Everyone pays the kid’s admission price after 5 p.m. If you can wait until 5:01 p.m., your ticket to the fair will save you up to $7. That’s like half a turkey leg. The discount is valid every night of the fair.
First Responder Discount. You run toward the fire. When people say you’re a lifesaver, they mean it literally. Therefore, the State Fair has determined that you and yours should receive discounted admission. All first responders can save $5 off any day when they present a valid badge or ID card from their department or organization at the gate or online. Spouses of first responders and accompanying children under the age of 18 also receive discounted admission.
Military Appreciation Discount. All active military, retired military, and veterans save $5 any day when they present valid documentation of military service at the gate or online. Spouses of service men and women with a valid Military Spouse ID and accompanying children under the age of 18 also receive discounted admission.
McDonald’s Hero Discount. Do you train your gut for the trash you’ll eat at the fair by munching on Quarter Pounders all year? Great! Because the State Fair of Texas wants to honor you in exactly the same way that it honors military and first responders. Big Tex hopes you feel seen. Discount coupons are available at participating McDonald’s locations throughout North Texas on tray liners and inside meal bags. With this coupon, any fairgoer can save $5.
Dr Pepper Value Days. Sign up for the Big Tex Insider, get a promo code, purchase your ticket online with that code, and pay only $10 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Oh, you thought we were going to tell you to bring your DP empties to the gate? You are very old school, and should invest in a good moisturizer and sunscreen routine. It’s time.
North Texas Food Bank Feed the Need. Each Wednesday, bring five canned goods to the gate and get in for one Abraham Lincoln.
Go with 24 friends, and you can get discounted group tickets for as low as $16 per person. Joke’s on you, though. Wrangling that many people at the gate is going to end up costing you way more in therapy and beer than you’re saving upfront. Large-group-herding trauma is real, y’all. The State Fair of Texas offers discounted group tickets starting for groups as small as 25.
Planning to go a bunch? Season passes are now available for $50, which includes 24-day admission as well as a variety of special VIP benefits.
Premium Admission two-pack combo for $98. Yes, $98 is steep for tickets, but these come with $50 in food and ride coupons. Plus, the premium ticket can be used on any one day of the fair you’d like. So, you don’t have to plan far in advance or create a spreadsheet to get yourself a good deal. Head to BigTex.com/Tickets for more information. Don’t have any friends? Buy one Premium One-Day ticket at Kroger and get $3 off.
The almighty BOGO. Cirque du Soleil will be in town from September 25 to October 20, staging its latest show, Songblazers, at Music Hall at Fair Park. Catch the artistry you expect from Cirque du Soleil paired with country music, and that ticket will also get you into the fair.
Check the Junk Drawer. Have any coupons from past fairs? They don’t expire. Bring ‘em along, and thank 2023 you for buying 2024 you a beer.
Parking
Don’t get suckered by a cheaper parking lot near the fair that turns out to be a scam. Cars get towed away every year, which is not the way to end your fair experience.
So here is the skinny: The easiest lot is Gate 2, which is on Haskell. It costs $30, but it’s well lit. You can also keep your eyes peeled for the Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School on Robert B. Cullen Blvd. If the students are out with signs, paying to park there helps their fundraising efforts.
You can also skip the pesky driving and parking and take DART. Hop on the Green Line, exit at either Fair Park Station, located on Parry Avenue at the entrance of the fairgrounds, or MLK, Jr. Station, located south of R.B. Cullum Blvd. near Gate 6. Plan your trip here and learn more about the Green line here.
Know Before You Go
The State Fair enacted some new rules this year, including a ban on all weapons. The only exceptions are for former or current law enforcement. (Peace officers’ credentials will be verified by Dallas Police Department officers during the screening process.) There is also a new bag policy that limits bags and soft-shell coolers—that’s the only kind of cooler you can bring—to 9 inches long, 10 inches high, and 12 inches wide. Medical bags or childcare bags can be larger, but they’ll be searched at the gate. Any coolers must use ice packs or clear bagged ice—loose ice is not allowed. All bags can be searched.
Let the food guide you through the State Fair of Texas. Expect oceans of golden, deep-fried, sugar-dusted items. We’re here to help you find them.
State Fair Classics
While some people seek out new food at the State Fair, others lean on the classics. Legend has it that you can’t go one trip to the Fair without a bite of one of these. Need a map? Here you go.
- Fletcher’s Original Corny Dogs: arguably the most iconic Fair food item. It’s a hot dog dipped in a cornbread batter, deep fried and topped with mustard. You can add ketchup, too, we guess. Find it right by Big Tex, the Cotton Bowl, and on the Midway. 8 coupons.
- Fernie’s Funnel Cakes: powdered sugar is plopped—not exactly dusted—onto glorious squiggly piles of fried dough. Find it at Fernie’s Funnel Cake Factory booths throughout the fairgrounds. 10 coupons.
- Turkey Leg: one honking smoked turkey leg will be enough to hold you over for an entire fair trip. There are booths located all over Fair Park, but you can’t miss the giant grills and plumes of smoke. Look for the Smokey Johns booths and support local. 20 coupons.
New Foods
As if there aren’t enough fried foods to go around, there are 33 new items to add to this year’s roster. That’s not including the ten Big Tex Choice Awards finalists (check the next section). We could try to list all 33 here, but we’ll name some of the most intriguing and eyebrow-raising. If you want to check them all out, here’s a map to guide you through the park.
- Cheeseception: if it’s a gut bomb you seek, this seems like it might do the trick. It’s described as a “sandwich inside a sandwich” with mushrooms, arugula, prosciutto, and cheese, in between classic grilled cheeses. Find it at Stay Cheesy in the Tower Building. 18 coupons.
- Deep Fried Tablitas: in a nod to the Mexican-style short rib, the cross-cut short ribs are battered and fried, then served with fried jalapeno, lime slices, Cojita cheese, and three dipping sauces. Find it at Texas Holy Fried Ribs and Fusion BBQ in the Tower Building.
- Fernie’s GOAT Funnel Cake: Not gonna lie, we were a little worried that Fernie was gonna do us dirty (or at the very least, confuse the heck out of us). Funnel cake? Good! Cabrito? What? But no, GOAT stands for Greatest of All Texas, which combines four flavors into a dessert, and none of them will eat your shorts. A Fernie’s funnel cake is loaded with Blue Bell vanilla ice cream, drizzled with cherry Dr Pepper syrup, and topped with El Fenix pralines. Find it at The Dock and Fernie’s Funnel Cake Factory at the Grand area. 15 coupons.
- So Eggciting Deviled Eggs: a booth devoted to deviled eggs at a fair sounds like, to be frank, something you should visit before you cloister yourself with other people in, say, a car in the Texas Star or a gondola in the Texas SkyWay. But you shouldn’t ignore the allure of a Texas BBQ Rib Deviled Egg, So Eggciting’s signature creation. Find it in the Tower Building. Two eggs for 6 coupons.
- Milton’s Amish Doughnuts: these aren’t just any fried sugar bombs; they’re doughnuts. The ough means it’s special, and it shows in the large Amish sourdough doughnuts that are fried to perfection and dipped in a vanilla glaze. Find it on Grand Avenue.
Looking for vegetarian options? We have a guide for that here.
The Big Tex Choice Award Finalists
In August, 10 food items were named finalists in the Big Tex Choice Awards competition. The winners were named a few weeks later. It’s the competition to be in if you’re a deep-fried extraordinaire, and the results are closely watched by enthusiasts everywhere. Here’s a map to find them.
Savory
- Dominican Fritura Dog.* Find it at Trio on the Green and Footlong Corndog. 16 coupons.
- The Drowning Taquitos. Find it at Tony’s Taco Shop. 20 coupons.
- Hippie Chips. Find it at Bailey’s. 12 coupons.
- Hot Chick-in-Pancake Poppers. Find it at Palmer’s Hot Chicken. 15 coupons.
- Texas Fried Burnt End Bombs. Find it at Bert’s. 18 coupons.
Sweet
- Nevins Nutty Bar-laska. Find it at Nevin’s Nutty Bar. 11 coupons.
- Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick.* Find it at Magnolia Beer Garden, Holy Biscuit, and Who Dat Daiquiris. 16 coupons.
- Strawberry Pop-Tarts Beignettfle. Find it at Granny’s and Granny’s Funnel Cakes. 12 coupons.
- Texas Sugar Rush Pickles.* Find it at Candy Pickle Factory. 20 coupons.
- Tropical Two-Step Punch. Find it at Pineapple Man. 14 coupons, 24 coupons if spiked with alcohol.
* denotes the Big Tex Choice Awards Winners
Drinks
Drink prices vary throughout the entire park because vendors set their own prices. One coupon is one dollar. The cheapest beers can be found at the Beer Barn by the Cotton Bowl Plaza.
Here’s what you can expect at the Beer Barn this year:
- Frozen Ranch water: 12 coupons
- Iceberg (Frozen Ranch water and Modelo): 16 coupons
- Bottled water: 4 coupons
- Beer: 4/6/8 coupons, depending on the type
- Hard seltzer or Twisted Tea: 10 coupons
- Beatbox, Cayman Jack Margarita: 12 coupons
- Wine shots: 7 coupons
- Wine: 12 coupons
Thrifty Thursdays
On Thursdays—Oct. 3, 10, and 17—participating food vendors will offer one of their signature menu items at a reduced price. Items could include things like corny dogs, cotton candy, and funnel cakes, or they could be something completely different. Some vendors may also try out a new menu idea for next year. Check here for a map of the food discounts you can snag on every Thursday at the fair.
Restaurants and Bars Near Fair Park
Counterintuitive as it sounds, the State Fair often has a crushing effect on nearby businesses. With fair crowds taking up parking lots and DART rail space, many Dallasites try to avoid visiting the surrounding area. If you’re planning a day at the fair, you could help them out by spending extra time exploring the area around the park. Here are some of our favorite destinations just outside the gates, where you can get a snack or drink with real money, not tickets.
- Las Almas Rotas. Stop by the nationally acclaimed tequila and mezcal bar for a night of merriment—or just a really good cup of guacamole. Want more of a reason to stop by? The mezcaleria will offer a Big Mex chorizo-spiced corn dog special for the full run of the fair. Rudolph’s in Deep Ellum is supplying the dogs. 3615 Parry Ave. While the Expo Park location will remain open, Las Almas is also holding a pop-up at the Davis Mercantile in Oak Cliff for the duration of the fair. 710 W. Davis St.
- Craft & Growler. This longtime beer bar now mostly brews its own offerings in-house, though you can still sample the best of the rest of Dallas’ breweries on tap. 3601 Parry Ave.
- Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters. Fuel yourself with a strong cappuccino or shot of espresso from Noble Coyote before a long day at the fair. 819 Exposition Ave.
- Rayo Bar and Lounge. This bar opened in August and has an affordable selection of classic cocktails, plus a menu of sliders and “fish stix” by consulting chef Josh Harmon. Happy hour is Monday through Thursday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., ideal if you’re ducking out of the fairgrounds before dinner. 841 Exposition Ave.
- Southside Steaks and Cakes. “Steaks” as in cheesesteaks—big Philly-style sandwiches are the specialty here, with creative toppings ranging from the east coast to Tex-Mex. If you save room, you can reward yourself with funnel cake. They also have a booth near the Cotton Bowl inside the fair. 3125 Al Lipscomb Way.
- Whiskeys. There’s no better business description in Texas. It’s called Whiskeys, and it serves whiskeys. If an afternoon at the fair left you needing a rare bourbon for a nightcap, make this your final stop. 835 Exposition Ave.
Planning a family trip to the State Fair? Here are some things you should know before you go.
Safety Tips and Helpful Hints
Head to any information booth to pick up a Safe Kids wristband for your family. You fill it out with your contact info, then wrap it around every child’s wrist in your group. If you do get separated, the Safe Kids Corral is located in the Guest Relations Midway Complex across from the Top O’ Texas Tower and Neon Big Tex. That’s where lost children are taken after authorities are notified. Safe Kids ID wristbands are available at State Fair Information Centers.
The State Fair also has a safety team made up of retired police officers. They’re available to help, too.
There are three baby care centers for families. One is next to the Children’s Aquarium, one is in the Guest Relations Complex near the Top o’ Texas Tower, and one is near the Swine Barn and Backyard Steak-Out & Pizzeria. There are also changing stations in all women’s restrooms, and in the men’s restrooms at Cattle Barn #1, both sides of the Coliseum, Embarcadero, the Midway, east of the Aquarium, 1st & MLK, and MLK & the Coliseum.
Yes, There Is Actually Free Food at the Fair
You can bring your own—stick to plastic utensils, though—but there are also quite a few things that could keep kids and parents amused (and fed) during the fair’s run.
Head to the Go Texan Pavilion in Nimitz Circle. Every day, expect some kind of giveaway. That could be Dr Pepper floats with Blue Bell ice cream to brownie sundaes or veggie dip. If you visit at the right time each day, you can get a free ice cream cone courtesy the Texas Department of Agriculture and take a selfie with a life-size cutout of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. Here is the schedule to plan your visits.
Save on Rides
Go on Tuesdays, when many rides start at four coupons and kiddie rides start at three. On Thursdays, some food items are also reduced.
Child’s Play
There are plenty of family-friendly shows throughout the run of the fair. Let’s go through a few. Here is the Fairgrounds map, and here is the schedule of all kid-friendly events.
The Oak Farms Theater offers the Soap Bubble Circus, where performers engage in Guinness World Record-breaking feats with bubbles. Catch the tightrope dancing snowman and the exploding volcano. Daily at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m., Oak Farms Theater in the Creative Arts building, just north of the Cotton Bowl and next to the Embarcadero.
At the Fringe Stage, a rotation of acts will entertain families. Billy Kidd will showcase her magic skills, strongman Mighty Mike will juggle bowling balls and sledgehammers, street performer Sara Twister brings her contortionist and archery skills, guitarist Steve Goodtime and Street Circus will perform. From September 27 to October 20, with shows scheduled between 12:30 and 6:30 p.m.
¡Fiestas de Marionetas! is back this year, too, at the McDonald’s Amphitheatre. Daily, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. Friday and Saturdays have a 6 p.m. show.
Country Roundup puppet show will return to the Dr Pepper Midway Stage. Daily, 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays also feature a 6 p.m. show. Find the stage in the middle of the Midway, on MLK Jr. Blvd.
Dinosaurs at the Lagoon features 10 life-sized dinosaurs that have been found in Texas. Selfie opportunities abound thanks to a 57-foot-tall Alamosaurus, and Dr. Diggie-Bones will entertain kids with an interactive story time. Bonus: There is plenty of seating around, even more food options, and a kids’ play area. Daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Located at the Lagoon on First Ave.
Staying later? Catch the Starlight Parade at 7:15 p.m. every night, which features an array of floats, music, fireworks, and fun characters.
Four-legged Friends and More
Say hello to all manner of animals all over the fairgrounds: including the Oncor Petting Zoo, the Children’s Aquarium, and Texas Discovery Gardens, which is butterfly central. (You’ll need to pay admission separately to visit the latter two). The petting zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Pan Am Arena, off Nimitz Circle and below Washington St. The Children’s Aquarium is near MLK Jr. Blvd. above First Ave. and Texas Discovery Gardens is located near the DART MLK Station off Second Ave.
The Pan Am Arena is where you’ll find the livestock, which is located on Admiral Nimitz Circle next to the Fair Park Coliseum. Check out the pigs at the swine barn, and learn about agriculture and see live animals at Big Tex’s Discovery Farmyard. The Farmyard is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6: 30 p.m. Find it next to Leonhardt Lagoon, where the dinosaurs are.
The All-Star Stunt Dog show will bring in super-talented dogs that have performed all over the country. Daily, 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. The stunt show is just inside the Front Gate, right before you reach the Esplanade, at Marine Corps Square.
The pig races are a time-honored tradition at the fair. Pick your favorite pig, and cheer them on. Or bet your friends coupons. The races happen daily at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Chevy Park Plaza, which is between Gates 10 and 11 just north of Coliseum Dr.
There are three stages at the State Fair of Texas, and all the music is free once you’re inside the fairgrounds. The Chevrolet Main Stage will host the big national touring acts, while the Bud Light Stage and the Yuengling Flight Stage lean local. All told, there will be more than 100 local and national acts headed to Fair Park. Here are a few must-see acts from each stage and where to find the music. Check out this link for the full schedule.
Chevrolet Main Stage
You can’t miss this one. It’s right by Gate 1, between the Centennial Building and the Go Texan Pavilion.
Country music star Jo Dee Messina will open the fair Friday night. You’ll probably remember her 90s and early 2000s hits like “Lesson in Leaving,” “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” “Bye Bye,” and “I’m Alright.” She’ll play at 8:30 p.m.
Big Daddy Kane’s “Ain’t No Half-Steppin’” should be on anyone’s list of the best hop-hop songs ever, and we’ll fight you about that. You can see for yourself on Saturday, September 28, at 8:30 p.m.
Los Pescadores will also perform in the first week of the fair, taking the stage Sunday, September 29, at 8:30 p.m.
Bowling for Soup, the Dallas pop band that’s going strong after decades of earworms, takes the stage Tuesday, October 1 at 8:30 p.m.
Dasha’s hit “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” has enjoyed steady rotation in Spotify’s Hot Hits playlist. She’ll perform Wednesday, October 2 at 8:30 p.m.
Austin’s Shakey Graves will take the stage on October 4 at 8:30 p.m.
Grace Potter, who has hit the charts with songs like “Apologies,” “Paris (Ooh la la),” and “You and Tequila,” will take the stage on October 5 at 8:30 p.m.
Alabama eight-piece soul band St. Paul and the Broken Bones will play the third week of the Fair on October 12 at 8:30 p.m.
Tennessee’s Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors are currently supporting their new album, Strangers No More Volume Two, which was released on September 12. They’ll play on October 15 at 8:30 p.m.
Nineties band Spin Doctors will perform the last week of the fair, taking the stage Friday, October 18, at 8:30 p.m.
The Bud Light Stage
You’ll find this stage in Cotton Bowl Plaza, opposite the food vendors and next to the Beer Barn. There’s a Fletcher’s Corny Dog stand here, and the Beer Barn has the cheapest beer in the fairgrounds. Stay awhile. This is where you’ll find a healthy rotation of local acts.
Local favorite Matt Hillyer plays at 7:30 p.m. on September 27.
We Them Grays play at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. on September 28.
Isaac Sloane & the Sound Brigade play at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. on October 1.
Vanita Leo plays at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. on October 2.
Remy Reilly plays at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. on October 4.
Kam Franklin of The Suffers plays at 7:30 p.m. on October 4.
Luna Luna plays at 7:30 p.m. on October 5.
DJ Sober spins tunes on two separate days: at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. October 11, and again at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. on October 12.
Sarah Jaffe plays at 7:30 p.m. on October 18.
Artists from State Fair Records will celebrate the label’s 10-year anniversary on all day on October 19.
Yuengling Flight Stage
You’ll find this low-key stage inside the State Fair Beer and Wine Garden.
Saborcity Puro is 2024’s resident act for this stage, and the cumbia five-piece promises fun covers from acts like Selena, La Sonora Dinamita, and more. You can also catch Mountain Natives (September 30), Amari Amore (October 2), Simone Nicole (October 7), Paul Slavens (October 8), Dingos (October 12) and Van Darien (October 18). Kick back, relax, and listen.
And go ahead and put this in your Spotify for the next month:
Sports
The State Fair Classic: Grambling State vs. Prairie View A&M, Saturday, Sept. 28, 6 p.m. at the Cotton Bowl
The HBCU institution celebrates its 99th anniversary and the 32nd featuring this matchup. The halftime battle of the bands is worth the $35 price of admission alone. But this game is much bigger than entertainment. It’s a celebration of Black joy.
The Red River Rivalry: Texas vs. OU, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2:30 p.m. at the Cotton Bowl
It’s the most recognizable piece of the State Fair this side of Big Tex himself, and this year’s game comes with a bit of history, too: it’s the first SEC game for both schools. Will the Longhorns capitalize on the momentum they seem to be enjoying this year, or will the Sooners surprise them?
When you need a break from the food, the State Fair is also the perfect place to go on a shopping spree. There are more than 200 vendors from across the country, many of whom are repeat exhibitors, selling just about anything under the sun. Whether you plan to window shop or spend some serious money, don’t forget to say “howdy” to the 20 brand new businesses exhibiting at the fair this year, selling everything from NOLA-worthy umbrellas, children’s books, and life-sized metal palm tree statues (complete with coconut lights).
While exhibitors and vendors have set up their temporary shops in just about every building and along every road at the fair, the majority are located across four buildings and pavilions. Here’s our guide of what you can find and where. — Catherine Wendlandt
Craft Pavillion
The Craft Pavilion, one of two tented shopping areas, is jam-packed with about 40 exhibitors. While we love all the mattresses and blenders you can peruse elsewhere at the fair, this is where you’ll find the cool handmade art pieces you’ll treasure for years. Think metal sculptures, sterling silver belt buckles, Nepalese jewelry, Turkish lamps, wooden watches, and alpaca toys. Find it between the Centennial Building and the smaller Ferris wheel, left of the Chevrolet Main Stage.
Embarcadero
With around 60 exhibitors, the Embarcadero is a dizzying maze of booths and aisles. There’s something here for everyone, including kitchen tools, pinball games, garden tools, hummingbird feeders, personalized jewelry, and pet treats. You can even find wine glasses with hand-blown sharks swimming inside—perfect for any parent who’s heard “Baby Shark” for the 30th time today and needs a drink. Find it on Nimitz Circle, behind the Hall of State and next to the Creative Arts Building.
Gateway Pavilion
Like the Craft Pavilion, the outdoor Gateway Pavilion has about 40 exhibitors. There’s a little bit of everything here. Want to find gifts for the foodie in your life? Grab soup and dip mixes, candied pecans, BBQ dry rubs, handmade glass tequila sets, or a garlic grater. Need a kid’s birthday present? Browse customizable bags, rodeo-themed toys, and anime accessories (including Funko pops). Also find shower heads, hat pins, leather dog collars, and lots of unique jewelry. Find it between the Midway and the Coliseum, at the intersection of MLK Jr. Boulevard and Coliseum Drive.
Grand Place
Grab a drink at Tower Building Food Court and then wander across the street and inside Grand Place. The building has around 75 exhibitors and sponsors. And while you can find typical fair shopping fare here—hot tubs, candles, mops, sweet treats, flagpoles, baby clothes, and other gadgets—there’s also plenty of Western wear and accessories. This is where you’ll want to be for cowboy hats and boots, leather purses, deer-skin jackets, Native American jewelry, and much more. Find it sandwiched between Bix Tex and Cotton Bowl Plaza, near the Midway Barker.
Butter Sculpture. Each year, a local sculptor uses butter as their medium to create a refrigerated display depicting the Fair’s current theme. It weighs more than 1,000 pounds—just like you, after eating all day at the fair! Yay! (P.S. If it’s not a fried butter sculpture yet, what are we even doing here?)
The man is stacked. Bryan Berg, a Guiness World Record Holder, will show off his card-stacking prowess in the Hall of State. You can find his work just inside the building. Don’t sneeze or cough.
The Guy In The Motorized Recliner. He’s the Where’s Waldo of the fair. Spot him, and you have five years of good luck.
Hepzibah, it’s your lucky day. Silart Names, located in the Texas Tower Plaza, boasts touristy license plates, necklaces, and keychains with 4,000 different names on them. Not 4,000 on one object. The items are available in 4,000 names. That means if you’ve felt the pain of never finding your name on a vacation memento, you’ve got a good chance now. They’ll also do custom orders if your name is No. 4,001.
Do you freaking love drones? Like, a lot? Good news, from October 3-6 the State Fair will feature Stars Over Texas, a drone show that happens after the Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation is over at 8:25 p.m. (Or go home and illuminate your own mattress, no judgment here.)
BINGO. You can also head over to the Creative Arts building as the emcees play daily games of State Fair of Texas Lotería. Each card depicts something iconic from Texas history or the State Fair. Want your own deck? You can print it out here.
Watch danger from a safe distance. Chad Kilpatrick carves raw wood with a chainsaw and doesn’t die. He does make beautiful sculptures. You can watch him and his chainsaw outside the Children’s Aquarium on First Avenue, which is also a good sign that he’s good at what he does and isn’t going to lose a hand.
The State Fair of Texas is a fun adventure for many Texans. But for disabled visitors, it can be tough to navigate the loud noises, crowds, and mobility challenges. The State Fair does have a brief Amenities and Accessibility guide on its FAQ page. But here’s a quick rundown on what you can expect.
Sensory-friendly Accommodations
For the sixth year in a row, the fair will host sensory-friendly mornings every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. You can learn more about the plan here, and see the full schedule here. Basically, the fair will “turn off all of the flashy, blinky lights.” Staff will turn off as much sound as possible. Big Tex’s volume will be turned down and the online guide lists the times he will speak to help folks prepare.
In addition to turning off the sound and lights, the fairgrounds will have quiet zones, sensory-friendly shows, and volunteers on hand to help, too.
The State Fair is working with disability nonprofit Joni & Friends on the first sensory-friendly Wednesday, on October 2. The group will provide a volunteer to support families who may need assistance maneuvering around the fair to provide additional support. Families must pre-register ahead of time.
Quiet Zones
During sensory-friendly mornings, the fair will have designated quiet zones to help folks decompress from all the stimuli. There is a map in the sensory guide but see the list below.
- Safe Kids Corral at Guest Relations, near the Top o’ Texas Tower,
- Heritage Hall of Honor, upstairs at the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center
Quiet Zones are unavailable during regular hours.
Deaf or Hearing-Impaired Accommodations
The State Fair has several resources for Deaf or hearing-impaired visitors. There are telecommunications devices at the guest relations centers in the Centennial Building and on the Midway to help visitors communicate with the staff. The fair also offers American Sign Language interpretation at select shows Friday–Sunday. See the schedule below.
- 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Fiestas de Marionetas at the McDonald’s Amphitheater
- 1:30 p.m. In the Kitchen with Cutco: Celebrity Chef Kitchen at the Creative Arts Building
- 4:30 p.m. All-Star Stunt Dog Show at the Marine Corps Square
Blind or Visually Impaired Accommodations
The State Fair doesn’t have any specific resources for visitors who are blind or visually impaired. Fair staffers recommend asking employees (like the safety team) at any of the info booths across the fairgrounds for directions or help, if needed.
Mobility Accommodations
Accessibility Rentals. You can rent wheelchairs, motorized scooters, strollers, and wagons for your day at the fair through HomeTown Mobility. The daily rates are $20 to 25 for strollers and wagons, $30 for a wheelchair, and $75 for a motorized scooter. These mobility tools will be available at four different gates—the Front Gate, Gates 5 and 11, and at the Pan Am Gate. If you come with your own mobility aids, like crutches or a walker, HomeTown Mobility can store them for you during the day.
You can also hitch crutches or canes onto rental scooters.
All wheelchairs and motorized scooters are first-come, first-serve, so it’s recommended to book yours in advance. It’s possible to rent day-of if you get tired in the middle of your visit, but there’s no guarantee that there will be something available, especially on busy days. To pick up your rental, you must show a valid driver’s license or state ID. (Paper copies won’t work). You also must be 18 or older to rent a scooter.
Visitors can bring in their own accessibility tools, like wheelchairs, but all must follow the Fair’s guest code of conduct. Book your mobility rental here.
Mobility Accessible Rides
If you have mobility impairments and still want to experience some of the Fair’s rides, the Top o’ Texas Tower and the Texas Skyway Gondola Skyride are accessible. The latter has a cart with room for a wheelchair or stroller.
Handicap Parking
Parking is also first-come, first-serve, so come early to snag a spot. They have different amounts of reserved handicapped parking at the various official State Fair parking lots. You must have a valid handicap hangtag or license plate to park in those spaces. There will be wheelchair-accessible trams ferrying folks back and forth from the various parking lots.
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