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24 Days of Fun: Texas State Fair

At this time of the year, the mood of Texas changes to fun and frolic and is a sight to behold. The Texas State Fair that takes place in the heartland of Texas causes this mood swing. It takes place for 24 days in the end of September and the beginning of October. For fun lovers, kids and the young at heart, this event is a must see. The Texas State Fair finds mention in many musicals and Broadway movies.

The fair takes place in the Fair Park in the heart of Dallas. The fair ground is mighty big, measuring around 277 acres. But then, when you are in Texas, everything has to be big and awe-inspiring. The Fair Park is the property of the city and home to the Cotton Bowl, Music Hall, and eight museums. However, the State Fair turns all these places upside down.

It was way back in 1886 that the first Texas State Fair had taken place in Dallas in its current location. At that time, the fair was mainly to showcase prize winning livestock and crops brought in by farmers from all over the state. Since 1929, the fair has been hosting the world famous football game pitting hometown heroes of University of Texas against the Sooners from the University of Oklahoma. In 1936, Fair Park hosted the Texas Centennial Exposition welcoming a crowd of over six million people for the six month duration of the exposition.

The hero of the Texas State Fair is the unanimous choice; Big Tex. Big Tex is the huge cowboy who welcomes all visitors to the fair. He was introduced to the Fair in the year 1952 and has been a regular feature since then. He welcomes all with the traditional Texan "Howdy Partner" and a wave of the hand.

Each year, the fair brings in approximately $350 million during its 24 day span. That number is astronomical, but considering the fair draws over 8,000 livestock entries, 7,000 creative arts entries, and over 200 food locations and restaurants, it’s no surprise this is a lucrative business for the state. Additionally, travelers from far and wide flock to Dallas each year, bringing in welcome dollars for hotels and lodgings. The money from the fair is put to good use, including funding a scholarship program that gives $1.5 million each year for eligible students to use each year towards college.

The Texas State Fair is also famous for its rides. The ride revenue brings in $23 millions each year as visitors queue up to ride everything from the daring to the classic. The colossal 212 foot Texas Star is the tallest Ferris wheel on the continent in keeping with the tradition of bigger and better things in Texas.

Take time to visit the great exhibition halls in between riding the many rides and eating all the fantastic fair food. These exhibition halls are packed with livestock and agricultural products from all over the state. Also, check out the great arts and crafts entries from everyone from the 4H crowd to the professional crafters that take their hobbies seriously.

The fantastic Texas State Fair is a must see event in this country. Visitors every year come from near and far, so make the decision to join them next year and come to the fair.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticles.org

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