Andy Mullins

VISIT DALLAS: How did you first get involved with the State Fair of Texas, and how many years have you been part of it now?

Andy Mullins: I've been with the Fair since 2004. At the time, I was hired by an agent that provided entertainment for the Fair. It was the 5th year the Midway Barker was an act here, but the agent was hiring a new person every year because no one wished to go through the grueling schedule of 6 shows a day for 24 straight days after their experience. I seem to be built for it because I enjoy performing and don't mind the schedule every year.

VISIT DALLAS: Tell us about a specific moment with a guest, visitor, or fairgoer that has stuck with you. What happened, and why does it still stand out?

Andy Mullins: I remember in 2009, Garrison Keiler from The Prairie Home Companion wrote an article for The National Geographic about the Great State Fairs all over America. They sent many photographers all over the State Fairs in America and one here to take pictures of me as the Barker. He spent 3 days and 18 shows to get the shot he wanted, and I'll never forget the passion and professionalism he exhibited. The shot ended up being the 2-page single shot ahead of the article. I learned a lot about taking pride in what you do and the results from your efforts. If you need reference, you can look it up in the September of 2009 issue of The National Geographic.

VISIT DALLAS: If someone is visiting the State Fair for the very first time, what's the one piece of advice you'd give them?

Andy Mullins: I have always told people this: There are basically three forms of entertainment that you want to spend your hard earned money on. Dining, A good show of some form (Play, Concert, Movie...), or an Outdoor Activity. You can get all three at The State Fair of Texas, BUT, it will take you more than one day to do it all. So if you only have one day, streamline it to just a couple of those each to get the full experience of what the Fair has to offer!

VISIT DALLAS: What's one sight, sound, taste, or moment at the Fair that people really have to experience in person, something no photo or video does justice to?

Andy Mullins: Big Tex of course! You can NOT overstate what a Unique, Iconic symbol of any State Fair he is! He represents what a quality event this Fair is as soon as you see him and then you know you're going to have a singular experience the rest of the day!

VISIT DALLAS: What's the most underrated part of the Fair, something first-time visitors are likely to miss but really shouldn't?

Andy Mullins: I think the food at the Fair is seriously underrated! There’s so much focus on the fried food—and the jokes that come with it—that it can overshadow the incredible variety of culinary experiences the Fair has to offer. From Belgian waffles and Greek salads to an impressive selection of savory and sweet drinks, plus countless fruity and chocolate desserts, the State Fair of Texas offers something for everyone. And yes, there are plenty of great fried foods, too!

VISIT DALLAS: For anyone who's never heard the term, what is a Midway Barker, and how did you become the voice of the Midway?

Andy Mullins: I believe the term “Midway Barker” dates back to the early days of carnivals and circuses, when barkers would stand outside attractions and use their voice to draw crowds and encourage people to buy tickets.

Today, my job is to bring that same energy and excitement to the State Fair of Texas Midway – selling the rides, games and experiences and encouraging people to come see what’s happening.

As for how I became the voice of the Midway, it really came down to opportunity, a love of entertaining people and enjoying what I do. I think that, with anything, you have to genuinely enjoy what you’re doing for it to have longevity in your life. I’ve been fortunate enough to turn that passion into a voice that people associate with the Fair.

VISIT DALLAS: What's it like performing for new crowds, day after day, for the entire run of the Fair?

Andy Mullins: Although I have jokes, routines, and comeback answers memorized and established in the act, I never perform it the same way show to show. I always let the crowd and the personalities that walk by determine how the show will go. Allowing the participation of the patrons in each show provides a unique and spontaneous experience for fairgoers. I do 6 shows a day for 24 straight days. That's 144 shows every year and the only way to sustain a modicum of freshness is to allow participation instead of just viewing. It's 144 slightly different shows that, I believe, has allowed me the ability to return here year after year. I cannot stress enough the gratitude I have for the wonderful staff here at the State Fair of Texas for allowing me to perform for as long as I have as the Midway Barker.

VISIT DALLAS: How do you keep your energy and enthusiasm fresh through a full season of Fair days?

Andy Mullins: The crowd participation keeps me on my toes from show to show and creates a sense of urgency and passion. Like anything, there are occasionally a few less-than-positive reactions, but they are overwhelmingly outweighed by the enthusiasm, smiles and positive feedback I receive from Fairgoers. Especially the kids! Kids are pure of heart and ask simple honest questions. I answer them with honest fun and create a sense of wonder. I even get them to give me advice about how fun it is to have feet and legs. On some occasions I can get them dancing and then they become the performer and everyone enjoys them as they get the attention. It's a very rewarding end to the attempt that begins every show.

VISIT DALLAS: What's the actual secret to pulling a crowd in and keeping them entertained?

Andy Mullins: My secret is the age-old method of talking to the crowd. Most of the time they end up telling the jokes! If I got a dollar for every time someone asked me if I got in for half price, I would be a millionaire! But I wouldn't have it any other way. We all crave for a little attention now and then and I think that's natural. Anytime I can make someone laugh and/or feel good about themselves it in turn makes me feel good about myself.

VISIT DALLAS: How did your particular style or persona as a barker come together?

Andy Mullins: My first impression of what was asked of me when I started back in 2004 was to say Howdy to people that walked by and tell everyone about the Fair. It was very mundane at the beginning, but the visual of the illusion always brought people up to see. In that first year I would just talk to people and ask what they’d done and did they try this and had a friendly conversation. While that was nice, I felt like I left a lot of passersby neglected in some ways by focusing on one individual for too long. I remember people stopping looking and moving on. Thinking it over during the next year, I decided to add more humor from my improv training and including more people and still invoking the Barker style of fast and furious and using Fair information as a Segue to another bit or participation opportunity. It's grown and developed into the show it is today. I truly feel that although the show is similar from day to day, they also have a very distinct originality to them.

VISIT DALLAS: What does it mean to you to be a recognizable, familiar part of the Fair experience for people who come back year after year?

Andy Mullins: I'm always amazed and humbled by the people who come up and say they saw me as a child. It hits home how long I've been doing this for the Fair and just deepens my appreciation to them for allowing me to come back for so long. There's a dynamic that occurs when people walk up and try to figure me out. Some people say, "I've been coming here for years and I still can't figure this out!" Then some people will walk up who have never seen me before and say, "Oh, Mirrors..." and casually walk off unimpressed. It reminds me to enjoy every moment because it can, at any time, end so abruptly.