State Fair of Texas makes strong run

By MANDY JOHN | Central Texas Edition

Big Tex and the Midway are two of the most recognizable features hitting the State Fair of Texas skyline. Each sported new glittery duds this year. -Staff photo by Terry Stepp

October 24, 2002 -- The State Fair of Texas, held in Dallas, ran from Sept. 27 to Oct. 20. This year's theme was titled "World in Motion" and featured various activities and events including Marine marching bands, a nightly parade, cooking contests, football games, and the livestock events and shows.

"We had approximately 7,266 livestock entries this year for our show, up from last year," explained Anne Griffeth, livestock publicity coordinator for the State Fair. "Of that number 3,797 were youth entries, either with 4-H or FFA.

"We also had record numbers in sales this year at the fair. The premium money totaled about $333,000 for both open shows and junior shows. The junior show total exceeded $81,000. Depending on where they placed, the youth that entered will take home money."

Concerts were also hugely popular with performances by Lee Greenwood, Alan Jackson, the Kumbia Kings, and Hank Williams, Jr. The Big Tex Music Festival, presented in the Cotton Bowl, included The Dixie Chicks, Pat Green, and Los Tigres del Norte.

Premium cars were also displayed at the Auto Show lineup, which expanded this year with a brand new luxury car showroom.

The Midway was bigger with 14 new attractions, plus the brand-new Pibb Xtra Thrillway, what guaranteed to keep attendants screaming with four new X-treme rides.

It was also the 50th birthday of Big Tex, the official ambassador and beloved symbol of the State Fair of Texas. The 52-foot talking cowboy made his first appearance at the fair in October 1952. This year, Tex oversaw all the festivities that were held at the fair.

-Staff photo by Terry Stepp

The State Fair of Texas website stated that Big Tex was given his voice and began greeting fairgoers in 1953, added a friendly wave in 1997, and, in 2000, was provided with armature that allowed him to turn his head.

"He may talk a little slow, but, without question, he's one of the most famous Texans anywhere."

This year Bill Bragg provided the voice for Big Tex. Bragg, a veteran broadcast professional, was a finalist in last year's Voice of Big Tex competition.

Fort Worth's Williamson-Dickie provided Big Tex with a proper set of new duds: A red, white and blue cowboy shirt, denim jeans, and a shiny, 29" x 45" oval belt buckle emblazoned with the familiar Dickies horseshoe logo. Boot Town and Ariat furnished his new cowboy boots.

The website also stated that the State Fair of Texas has changed very little since it first began.

"The traditional mix of what's new, what's best, how fast does it go, who will be there and when does it start, worked as well now as it did then."