Visit the 2009 State Fair of Texas – September 25 – October 18

There aren’t many state fairs that demand national and even international travel, yearly pilgrimages from food and fun lovers the world over, but the State Fair of Texas in Dallas is one of them. Millions come to experience the incredible diversity and outrageous personality of the nation’s largest state fair. If you’ve never been, make this your year.

I suppose the State Fair of Texas isn’t so different than most other state fairs. There’s just a lot more of it. From endless rows of concession stands dishing up all kinds of unique favorites to free concerts and one-of-a-kind shows, the Fair offers minute-to-minute entertainment for the whole family, all of their friends and even some of their enemies.

The full-blown, 300,000 square-foot Auto Show is an annual head-turner. Thanks to the size of the space and the size of the audience, both national and international automakers often choose the State Fair of Texas Auto Show to debut new product, whether it’s a future/retro concept ride or something you can expect to see on the lots next year. The adjacent Classic Corral is a popular stop for true car buffs, featuring more than 1,000 vintage and collectible automobiles.

But I won’t tease you any longer. We all know the real star of whole the shebang is the food! It started with the best corn dog in the world, the Fletcher’s Corn Dog, and has expanded year after year into a deep fried empire. Bring an appetite and plenty of friends for sharing to take on these deep-fried delights:

• Deep-Fried Butter, this marquee snack is exactly what it sounds like
• Deep-Fried Peanuts
• Chicken-Fried Bacon
• Deep-Fried Nutter Butters, my fav
• Fried Apple w/ Peanut Butter on a Stick
• Deep-Fried Pizza, pepperoni or sausage
• Deep-Fried, Chocolate-Dipped Jalapeños
• Southern Fried Fajitas, the meat is deep-fried
• Deep-Fried Banana Split
• Deep-Fried Oreos, Snickers, Twinkies, Truffles

You’ll find more traditional treats as well, like burgers and fries, but what would be the point. You can get those anywhere. When you come to the State Fair of Texas, you owe it to yourself to go deep-fried.

Entertainment abounds. Between meals (or during), talk a stroll through the vendor pavilions, sure to be selling everything from blenders that can do your taxes to Sham-wows, which I find even more amazing. If you need to rest your feet, find a cozy place to site near the main stage. All concerts are free with your admission, and this year’s big name line-up includes Idol-alum Jason Castro, Edwin McCain, Miranda Lambert, En Vogue, The Commodores and several others.

I just don’t have the space to mention it all: there’s a livestock show, daily entertainment programs throughout the park, cooking classes and demonstrations, a humongous carnival midway (also where you’ll find a lot of the best food), nightly water shows, the starlight parade, and of course the Red River Shootout, the hotly-anticipated match up between the University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Oklahoma Sooners. The RRR is hosted at the Cotton Bowl, situated in the center of the park. You can’t miss it.

They’re even taping the Oprah Winfrey Show at the Fair on October 12.

I’ve scratched the surface, but really you need to see it for yourself. The 2009 State Fair of Texas is currently ongoing and will run daily through October 18. The Fair is located at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. Learn more.

Have fun at the State Fair of Texas!

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