Big Tex, boots shown here, is the enduring symbol of the State Fair of Texas. (Photo by Kevin Brown/State Fair of Texas)
Everything is bigger in Texas and this definitely was the case for this year’s Big Tex state fair, which was themed Celebrating Texas Agriculture.
The 2016 State Fair of Texas drew 2,402,199 attendees, the highest number in its 130-year history. With the majority of funds going to participating vendors, the fair generated in excess of $56 million in gross coupon sales for food, beverages and rides – an all-time record and a $2.4-million increase over 2015.
“It was a terrific fair, we had good weather; the rain started after we closed and quit before we opened twice during the fair,” said Rusty Fitzgerald, senior vice president – operations. “We had record crowds with record spending, and attribute this to the fact that we’re always changing our attractions and making things bigger and better.”
When broken down into separate components, the fair is a collection of small businesses comprised of independent vendors, concessionaires, ride owners and operators, artists, entertainers and more. The fair partners with various entrepreneurs who operate individual businesses during the event’s 24-day run.
There were a number of debuts at this year’s fair. Approximately 225,000 fairgoers visited The Hall of State’s The Taylor Swift Experience, along with four other exhibits dedicated to the Lone Star State and its history, including Six Nations over Texas, Ways of the West, Eugene Butler & the Progressive Farmer and Vaquero: Genesis of the Texas Cowboy.
Mundo Latino presented Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel – The Exhibition as its annual exhibit in the Women’s Museum. Appearing in America for the first time, this showcase recreated the Sistine Chapel through photographic reproduction displayed in its original size. Bringing the tale of the American West to the fair, the new Lone Star Stampede included Western themes like stagecoaches, horses, cowboys and a longhorn cattle drive. Another new show, Majesty of the Horse, educated fairgoers about various breeds of horses.
Budapest, Hungary’s The Lords of Gravity Basketball Slam Dunk Show joined the list this year with an acrobatic basketball team exhibiting hoop skills and high-flying stunts. Xpogo, another new extreme sports show, included pogo professionals performing tricks.
The highest attended free concerts on the Chevrolet Main Stage included Kacey Musgraves, AB Quintanilla y los Kumbia King All Starz, Cody Johnson, Ben Rector, Nelly, Skillet and La Energía Norteña.
Agriculture exhibits were up 18 percent over last year, with 12,708 livestock entries. (Photo by Kevin Brown/State Fair of Texas)
Another fair staple was the largest new car auto show in the Southwest, which unveiled the most recent 2017 models. The Chevrolet Ride & Drive generated more than 52,000 test drives.
After a successful debut in 2015, the Thrifty Thursdays food discount program returned this year with almost double the number of concessions items offered at a discounted price.
There are typically 225 points of sale manned mostly by independent concessionaires at the Texas fair, which does not experience much turnover.
“This year, we only had one opening, which was taken by Shrimp Dock, a new vendor that specialized in black shrimp baked potatoes,” said Carey D. Risinger, senior vice president – Food, Beverage & Retail. “One of our signature items is Fletcher’s Corny Dog, a corn dog on a stick.”
The Big Tex Choice Awards for food, in its 12th year, received 50 entries last spring, which were narrowed down to eight. A panel of local celebrity judges, including chefs and media personalities, chose the winners.
Fried Jello by Ruth Hauntz, a cherry-flavored gelatin in a panko-crusted breading that was flash fried and dusted with powdered sugar and topped with whipped cream and a cherry, was honored for Best Taste. Most Creative was awarded to State Fair Cookie Fries by Isaac Rousso, which was offered in chocolate chip or sprinkles with strawberry or milk chocolate sauce.
The midway, which is run by the fair, included four new rides—the Space Roller, Evolution, Konga and Dragon Wagon.
“We don’t do any wristband days, but on Tuesdays we have a promotion where rides are six coupons or $3 each,” said Fitzgerald.
Kroger and the North Texas Food Bank sponsored the It’s a Fair Deal program, where fairgoers who donated four canned food items on Wednesday were admitted for $4. General admission prices were $18 for adults, $14 for children over age 2 and $14 for seniors. Thursday admission for seniors was free.
For the first time, the fair hosted Military Appreciation Day and First Responders Day, which attracted more than 9,600 members of the military and their families, and close to 12,000 first responders with their families. These fairgoers received vouchers for free admission, along with special programming throughout the grounds.
At the new exhibit, I Spy Texas, fairgoers experienced the different wildlife and natural resources unique to each region of Texas.
With an 18-percent increase from last year, the 2016 state fair hosted a total of 12,708 livestock entries. Overall participation numbers increased by 35 percent, with 7,500 students competing in the livestock and agricultural shows. The annual Youth Livestock Auction raised more than $1.4 million in scholarships and prizes for Texas youth.
Another record was set when III Forks Steakhouse and the Big Tex Champion Club purchased the Grand Champion Market Steer for $131,000 at the Youth Livestock Auction. Ag Awareness Day also brought record numbers – with more than 8,100 students representing 206 chapters of 4-H, FFA and FCCLA participating in the canned food drive. More than 30,000 pounds of food were collected and donated to the North Texas Food Bank.
The net proceeds from the fair are reinvested in Fair Park, in the form of capital improvements; given as scholarships to deserving youth throughout the state of Texas; used to support Fair Park museum facilities and community outreach programs; and used to improve the state fair’s operation.
In 2015, the fair’s operating revenues totaled more than $53.4 million, with expenses totaling more than $47.2 million.
The 2017 exposition runs Sept. 29 through Oct. 22.
“We always make tweaks every year to increase the crowd flow, and I already have ideas in mind next year,” said Fitzgerald.
Interviewed for this article: Rusty Fitzgerald, (817) 235-0295; Carey D. Risinger, (214) 421-8803