State Fair Favorites
The must-do, must-eat and must-experience things at the 2023 State Fair of Texas
The State Fair of Texas is a favorite activity among locals and visitors alike. We're all itching to get to Fair Park for 24 days of fried foods, corny dogs, midway games and much more. A true fair veteran knows it's all about the traditions, but if you're new to the State Fair, you might be wondering where to start. Consider this your State Fair of Texas bucket list!
The Texas Star
Known as the most popular ride at the State Fair, the Texas Star Ferris wheel takes you on a 12-minute ride as you enjoy a panoramic view of the fair grounds and Downtown Dallas from 20 stories high in the sky. On a clear day, you can see all the way to neighboring cities and may even be able to spot AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, 21 miles away!
![Texas Star Ferris Wheel](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2031a0c914f0dcc4dabc2457ca87cf93 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=5cd4107317f287bc1fcfa3bd9ca6fe8c 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=e863b950d23fdc355f75e33a6aa222ed 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=067a8daefe6600ced72adc3df45f86e2 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=8b854a326ecf2ad2a9a7239f9b14efb8 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=910370bd7a634601837a5767dad3fcf3 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=295b372d28d05843b4d2d42c27dbb24c 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=b281a142e883e4740b5ad2d53728b86f 2560w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=97f4b49462cc886b97e5ef20c2c02860 3840w)
A Fletcher's Corny Dog
The long lines don't lie! Invented by brothers Neil & Carl Fletcher in 1942, the original corny dog is a must-eat each time you visit. In fact, over 500,000 corny dogs are sold annually throughout the 24 days of the State Fair of Texas. While the most popular stand to grab a corny dog is the one by Big Tex, there are Fletcher's locations across the fair grounds. And for those who'd rather skip the beef, Fletcher's also offers The Bird Dog (turkey) and a Veggie Dog.
![Fletchers Corndogs](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=62ce508fb480b055ee88aca859f5e7d1 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=9094effaf764dd2e0da8b1aa1a7a0958 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=19aa7abd3881e1b50ec5406d1ff2f572 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=4aee83a81e25708cfc28bba1b70736e7 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=4723ca0a7ba13f99b05ea6ebb24c9312 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=526c9e57e527dadb745ee1caecec9ed7 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=3268b73ac54af0efbfd2d1a26df2c1c3 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=8b5d0062bcc08b80ab125328817c4680 2560w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=a4f8158ed6bcf6ff3bfd4fcfe1d1f8f1 3600w)
A photo with Big Tex
A fair staple for more than 65 years, Big Tex is also the fair's shining star. Standing 52 feet tall, he welcomes fair goers with a deep Texas accent and a jolly wave. You might have to get creative with angles to fully capture him in your family photo, but that's part of the allure! Fun fact: Big Tex was previously Santa in a small Texas town east of Corsicana in the 1950s.
![](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State_Fair_Of_Texas_2021-86.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=52.11%2029.83&q=80&w=320&s=9b7b6e1e75c1eb9b7ca188bea261c639 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State_Fair_Of_Texas_2021-86.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=52.11%2029.83&q=80&w=540&s=56eadcc41850e3a32063657e4d9a8d90 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State_Fair_Of_Texas_2021-86.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=52.11%2029.83&q=80&w=768&s=d5d947ece76e77579d094f03f2eb47cd 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State_Fair_Of_Texas_2021-86.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=52.11%2029.83&q=80&w=1024&s=170d8543cb7723de91ed9c7e98a7addc 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State_Fair_Of_Texas_2021-86.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=52.11%2029.83&q=80&w=1200&s=e11f317aaa25af7c86d9922b6202475d 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State_Fair_Of_Texas_2021-86.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=52.11%2029.83&q=80&w=1440&s=9e25df2cd2d56cf0c7af483f14a54b31 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State_Fair_Of_Texas_2021-86.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=52.11%2029.83&q=80&w=1920&s=49c24c0a8e51b20420e82cb6f74a3868 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State_Fair_Of_Texas_2021-86.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=52.11%2029.83&q=80&w=2560&s=e77d76f522c0edefcb2e98d5cc7757c5 2400w)
The pig races
Make your way to the Coliseum to see a gang of piglets race to the finish line! The entire race takes no more than a few minutes, but seeing them give the race their all as adoring fans cheer them on will certainly bring a smile to your face. There are four races daily, so you have plenty of opportunities to see the little ones in action.
![](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/State-Fair-of-Texas-Pigs.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=0d65366ddb56cb6bdaf189f38cf42c13 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/State-Fair-of-Texas-Pigs.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=ee2cf9d4d254090d25af96209e33b76d 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/State-Fair-of-Texas-Pigs.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=aa0bbf3566d9ffc70549dc3a3e03d4bc 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/State-Fair-of-Texas-Pigs.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=9d83a1e4c9d3e03e02c8634d514c1d26 1000w)
The Starlight Parade
End your State Fair outing with a front row seat at the fair's after-dark parade. Featuring everyone from majestic Clydesdales to stilt-walking performers, the parade is viewable from all over the fairgrounds.
![State Fair of Texas Parade](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas_rgb_l.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=ba545cd9fdb6f2e07571b68c34d4b518 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas_rgb_l.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=78217d2a3c575e7da1bf85397d2c8957 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas_rgb_l.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=35e467b38a5f16cc4c741015756964d4 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas_rgb_l.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=6ebf7bc478fe72e960ae9ff314af9692 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas_rgb_l.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=0fc325b6806c781d2c9599fea3c284b3 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas_rgb_l.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=386e02d745357e5f1b23173ed9ce05a7 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas_rgb_l.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=94fd9af0d556234eb8d70097e4988036 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas_rgb_l.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=d0bbf8314b0e5931ab125a4c0dc2b82d 2560w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas_rgb_l.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=519b634c4066c3e65808a639e224ac49 3840w)
A HBCU game
While the Red River Showdown often takes the glory, it doesn't mean the annual State Fair Classic between Grambling State and Prairie View A&M is one to miss. In fact – we argue it should be your starting point! Our main reason? The halftime Battle of the Bands, a vivacious showcase of both school's marching bands and performers. This year's game is slated for Saturday, Oct. 1. See all fair time football here.
More State Fair Fun
![](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Fair-Park-State-Fair-of-Texas-Big-Tex-over-crowd-at-sunset-with-view-of-Dallas-Skyline-in-background-IMG_4420.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=690e8daa2edae66dfc98dee681c2b168 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Fair-Park-State-Fair-of-Texas-Big-Tex-over-crowd-at-sunset-with-view-of-Dallas-Skyline-in-background-IMG_4420.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=a0bd57f6c02ff102e8e32669224c0535 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Fair-Park-State-Fair-of-Texas-Big-Tex-over-crowd-at-sunset-with-view-of-Dallas-Skyline-in-background-IMG_4420.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=17b1d2691eaa13d59d151bf11e089776 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Fair-Park-State-Fair-of-Texas-Big-Tex-over-crowd-at-sunset-with-view-of-Dallas-Skyline-in-background-IMG_4420.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=51eb3246bb37436d3bd2774b2d6deb52 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Fair-Park-State-Fair-of-Texas-Big-Tex-over-crowd-at-sunset-with-view-of-Dallas-Skyline-in-background-IMG_4420.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=fa9d59bb11359e1801d4b1928c4be6f7 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Fair-Park-State-Fair-of-Texas-Big-Tex-over-crowd-at-sunset-with-view-of-Dallas-Skyline-in-background-IMG_4420.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=81c469b0cec83d78940d14bf746e49c3 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Fair-Park-State-Fair-of-Texas-Big-Tex-over-crowd-at-sunset-with-view-of-Dallas-Skyline-in-background-IMG_4420.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=e646d352a014cbf6ca9a4433ac8b6aea 1920w)
![](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/places/neighborhoods/Fair-Park-Exposition-Plaza-sculpture.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=0b6ac00187aea201e70fe74a6f3e770e 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/places/neighborhoods/Fair-Park-Exposition-Plaza-sculpture.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=fbb25384eaaab9a0c922950c3535d900 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/places/neighborhoods/Fair-Park-Exposition-Plaza-sculpture.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=abbc3ff09f6b4c684512f0502892721a 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/places/neighborhoods/Fair-Park-Exposition-Plaza-sculpture.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=2b2b5f884acf7d756835bc20b67ebeb6 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/places/neighborhoods/Fair-Park-Exposition-Plaza-sculpture.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=a0e6171ab6c2d2281950fecc28754f53 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/places/neighborhoods/Fair-Park-Exposition-Plaza-sculpture.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=7eb2458cb44b6c14ba3b12cb07858cc7 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/places/neighborhoods/Fair-Park-Exposition-Plaza-sculpture.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=348542bc08129b9a07d6ed666242d7da 1625w)
![people ride the swing carousel at the State Fair of Texas in September](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/State-Fair-Of-Texas-Swing-Ride-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=52fd25e683734fa9084af5e145e50d82 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/State-Fair-Of-Texas-Swing-Ride-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=28a16a45fe41b2e00be1ba785b7d607a 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/State-Fair-Of-Texas-Swing-Ride-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=1f30b9b137b3851ac6618facf27f044f 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/State-Fair-Of-Texas-Swing-Ride-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=b9f3668432104317ae5c91aa7581be83 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/State-Fair-Of-Texas-Swing-Ride-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=b1500f8a3d48f6463bba24db42e1b831 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/State-Fair-Of-Texas-Swing-Ride-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=d89fe20fddd3846fac663272ec23c0a0 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/State-Fair-Of-Texas-Swing-Ride-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=2e27edb463a1e6f7322f2e77b1712578 1920w)