You love the State Fair of Texas. Every time September rolls around, you start stockpiling peanut butter, and your friends start to look at you funny. They ask you why you’re such a hoarder, keeping everyone’s leftover food coupons as you walk out the gates after another deep-fried-bender. But we know why you do all this stuff: It’s because you’re cheap. (Which is ironic since the fair is so expensive.)
With this guide to the 2023 State Fair of Texas, you’ll never pay full price for another deep-fried thing. We’re here to help you save money on admission and funnel cake so you can spend every dollar you saved on drift skates. Looking for a map to the fairgrounds? Here it is.
Opening Day
Bring two jars of peanut butter! Opening day only, bring two jars of peanut butter to donate to the North Texas Food Bank and receive $10 admission at the gate. Or, try this: Dress up in a peanut butter costume with your friend. Have a third friend bring you and your peanut butter friend as her two peanut butters and see if you can get her in for $10 while you get you and your peanut butter friend in for free. So sneaky. (If it works, you have to donate $100 to the North Texas Food Bank for being a turd.)
Every Other Day
Get yourself a birth certificate that says you’re two years old or younger and get into the fair for free! The State Fair of Texas offers free admission every day of the fair for children ages two and younger.
Steal a ticket from your friend’s kid. The State Fair of Texas gives away more than 2 million free student and teacher ticket vouchers every year. Surely you can find yourself one before it hits the dumpster.
Everyone pays kid’s admission price after 5 p.m. If you can wait until 5:01 p.m., you can get a ticket to the Fair for the same price as your kid. Which is a savings of up to $7! That’s like half a turkey leg! Any night of the week, all visitors receive reduced general admission after 5 p.m., thanks to Oncor.
Important note for 2023: You can’t just drop your kids off at the Fair anymore. During the 2023 State Fair of Texas, starting at 5 p.m. daily, all minors, age 17 and under, must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone (21+) when entering the Fair. Parents, guardians, or chaperones may accompany no more than six minors 17 years of age and under.
First Responder Discount: You run toward the fire. When people say you’re a lifesaver, they mean it literally. Therefore, the State Fair has determined that you and yours should receive discounted admission. All first responders can save $5 off on weekdays (Monday-Friday) and $7 off on weekends (Saturday-Sunday) when they present a valid badge or ID card from their department or organization at the gate or online. Spouses of first responders and accompanying children under the age of 18 also receive discounted admission.
Military Appreciation Discount: The State Fair wants to show its appreciation for our veterans, so they got together and said, “Free admission? Nah. Let’s do $5 off, though. That seems right. Also, let’s make sure they show us ID.” All active military, retired military, and veterans save $5 off on weekdays (Monday-Friday) and $7 on weekends (Saturday-Sunday) when they present valid documentation of military service at the gate or online. Spouses of service men and women with a valid Military Spouse ID and accompanying children under the age of 18 also receive discounted admission.
McDonald’s Hero Discount: Do you train your gut for the trash you’ll eat at the Fair by munching on Quarter Pounders all year? Great! Because the Fair wants to honor you in exactly the same way that it honors military and first responders. Big Tex hopes you feel seen.Discount coupons are available at participating McDonald’s locations throughout North Texas on tray liners and inside their meal bags. With this coupon, any fairgoer can save $5 off on weekdays (Monday-Friday) and $7 off on weekends (Saturday-Sunday.)
Go with 24 friends, and you can get discounted group tickets for as low as $16 per person. Joke’s on you, though. Wrangling that many people at the gate is going to end up costing you way more in therapy and beer than you’re saving upfront. Large-group-herding trauma is real, y’all. The State Fair of Texas offers discounted group tickets starting for groups as small as 25.
Big Tex thinks that a season pass is cheaper in the long run than buying a day pass, but like your aunt on a pickleball court, he’s very drunk. 2023 season passes are now available for $50, which includes 24-day admission as well as a variety of special VIP benefits.
Premium Admission two-pack combo for $98. Yes, $98 is steep for tickets, but hear me out: If you want to stick to a budget, getting these Premium Admission one-day tickets that come with $50 in food and ride coupons can help you walk out of the fair only spending $98 for two people, which is cheaper than anyone else has ever made it out of the fair in all of American history. Plus, the benefit of the premium ticket is that it can be used on any one day of the fair you’d like. So, you don’t have to plan far in advance or create a spreadsheet to get yourself a good deal. Head to BigTex.com/Tickets for more information.
There’s no better way to navigate the State Fair of Texas than by checking it out through the food lens. The fair is notorious for generating oceans of golden, deep-fried, sugar-dusted food items. We’re here to help you find all of them.
State Fair Classics
While some people seek out new food at the State Fair, other lean on the classics. Legend has it that you can’t go one trip to the Fair without a bite of one of these. Need a map? Here you go.
- Fletcher’s Original Corny Dogs: arguably the most iconic Fair food item is Fletcher’s Original Corny Dog. It’s a hot dog link dipped in a cornbread batter, deep fried and topped with mustard. You can add ketchup, too, I guess. Find it right by Big Tex.
- Fernie’s Funnel Cakes: powdered sugar is plopped—not exactly dusted—onto glorious squiggly piles of fried dough. Find it at Fernie’s Funnel Cake Factory booths.
- Turkey Leg: one honking smoked turkey leg will be enough to hold you over for an entire Fair trip. There are booths located all over Fair Park, but you can’t miss the giant grills and plumes of smoke.
New Foods
As if there aren’t enough fried foods to go around, there are 33 new items to add to this year’s roster. That’s not including the ten Big Tex Choice Awards finalists (check the next section). We could try to list all 33 here, but we’ll name some of the most intriguing and eyebrow-raising. If you want to check them all out, here’s a map to guide you through the park.
- Deep Fried Birria Bomb: a mix of birria, Oaxaca cheese, and mashed potato is shaped into balls then dipped in batter. It’s deep fried and then topped with poblano ranch and cilantro, which can then be dipped in a consommé made from a family recipe. Find it at Tony’s Taco Shop in the Tower Building and in the Centennial Building.
- Deep Fried Sushi Bombs: Think a sushi bake, but fried. Sushi rice is topped with imitation crab and salmon, and then baked. It’s rolled in panko breadcrumbs and fried. Served with seaweed and a Yum Yum dipping sauce. Find it at Gourmet Royale in the Tower Building food court and on Nimitz near the Livestock Birthing Barn.
- Deep Fried Vietnamese Coffee: a cake infused with slow-brewed Vietnamese coffee is rolled into balls and then fried. It’s topped with powdered sugar and served with condensed milk. Find it at Eat Crispies on the Midway.
- Fried Fireball Shot: It’s a piece of deep-fried angel cake soaked in a shot of Fireball cinnamon whiskey. Buy responsibly! Find it at Bluebonnet Roadhouse BBQ & Grill on Nimitz.
- The Fruity Pebble Pickle: There had to be one pickle covered in something this year. This time it’s a giant dill pickle wrapped in a Fruit Roll-Up or Fruit by the Foot, drizzled in syrup, and coated in Fruity Pebbles. Oh, and it’s also drizzled in strawberry snow cone syrup. Find it at Candy Pickle Factory in the Tower Building.
The Big Tex Choice Award Finalists
In August, 10 food items were named finalists in the Big Tex Choice Awards competition. The winners were named a few weeks later. It’s the competition to be in if you’re a deep-fried extraordinaire, and the results are closely watched by enthusiasts everywhere. Here’s a map to find them.
Savory:
- Deep Fried Cheesy Crab Tater Bites. Find it at Magnolia Beer Garden, the Cajun Cowboy, and Holy Biscuit.
- Deep Fried Pho.* Find it at Eat Crispies on the Midway.
- Loaded Fries Pizza. Find it at Hand Tossed Pizza by the Giant Slice, Pizza & Funnel Fingers, and the Pizza Funnel Cakes & Lemonade booth.
- Ox’Cellent Soul Roll. Find it at Pearlie’s Southern Kitchen on MLK Jr. Boulevard.
- Turkey Ribs! Find it at Vandalay Ind. on the Funway and on Nimitz Circle.
Sweet:
- Biscoff Delight.* Find it at Drizzle Cheesecake on a Stick inside the Tower Building Food Court.
- Bourbon Banana Caramel Sopapillas.* Find it at the Texas Sopapilla Factory in Grand Place by Frist Avenue.
- Fernie’s Fried Cherry Pie in the Sky. Located at Fernie’s Funnel Cake Factory and The Dock booths.
- Sweet Encanto. Find it at Tony’s Taco Shop in the Tower Building Food Court and in the Centennial Building.
- Trail-Ade. Find it at Ms. Ruth’s and Ruth’s Tamale House in the Cotton Bowl Plaxa and on Nimitz Circle.
* denotes the Big Tex Choice Awards Winners
Drinks
Drink prices vary throughout the entire park because vendors set their own prices. One coupon is one dollar. The cheapest beers can be found at the Beer Barn by the Cotton Bowl Plaza. Here’s what you can expect to see at the Beer Barn this year:
- Frozen Ranch water: 12 coupons
- Bottled water: 3 coupons
- Beer: 4/6/8 coupons
- Hard seltzer: 4/6/8 coupons
- Buzzballs: 12 coupons
- Wine shots: 6 coupons
- Wine: 12 coupons
Thrifty Thursdays
On Thursdays—Oct. 5, 12, and 19—participating food vendors will offer one of their signature menu items at a reduced price. Items could include things like corny dogs, cotton candy, and funnel cakes, or they could be something completely different. Some vendors may also try out a new menu idea for next year. Check here for a map of the food discounts you can snag on every Thursday at the fair.
Restaurants and Bars Near Fair Park
Counterintuitive as it sounds, the State Fair often has a crushing effect on nearby businesses. With Fair crowds taking up parking lots and DART rail space, many Dallasites try to avoid visiting the surrounding area. If you’re planning a day at the Fair, you could help them out by spending extra time exploring the area around the park. Here are some of our favorite destinations just outside the gates, where you can get a snack or drink with real money, not tickets.
- Las Almas Rotas. Stop by the nationally acclaimed tequila and mezcal bar for a night of merriment—or just a really good cup of guacamole. Revelry frequently spills out onto the shady front patio. 3615 Parry Ave.
- Craft & Growler. This longtime beer bar now mainly brews its own offerings in-house, though you can still sample the best of the rest of Dallas’ breweries on tap. 3601 Parry Ave.
- Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters. Fuel yourself with a strong cappuccino or shot of espresso from Noble Coyote before a long day at the fair. 819 Exposition Ave.
- Southside Steaks and Cakes. “Steaks” as in cheesesteaks—big Philly-style sandwiches are the specialty here, with creative toppings ranging from the east coast to Tex-Mex. If you save room, you can reward yourself with funnel cake. 3125 Al Lipscomb Way.
- Whiskeys. There’s no better business description in Texas. It’s called Whiskeys, and it serves whiskeys. If an afternoon at the Fair left you needing a rare bourbon for a nightcap, make this your final stop. 835 Exposition Ave.
Planning a family trip to the State Fair? Here are some things you should know before you go.
Safety Tips
Head to any information booth to pick up a Safe Kids wristband for your family. You fill it out with your contact info, then wrap it around every child in your group. If you do get separated, the Safe Kids Corral is located in the Guest Relations Midway Complex across from the Top O’ Texas Tower and Neon Big Tex. That’s where lost children are taken after authorities are notified.
Yes, There Is Actually Free Food at the Fair
You can bring your own—stick to plastic utensils, though—but there are also quite a few things that could keep kids and parents amused (and fed) during the Fair’s run.
Head to the Go Texan Pavilion in Nimitz Circle. Every day, expect some kind of giveaway. That could be Dr Pepper floats with Blue Bell ice cream to brownie sundaes and veggie dip. If you visit at the right time each day, you can get a free ice cream cone courtesy the Texas Department of Agriculture. Here is the schedule to plan your visits.
Save on Rides
Go on Tuesdays, when many rides start at four coupons. On Thursdays, some food items are also reduced.
Child’s Play
There are plenty of family-friendly shows throughout the run of the fair. Let’s go through a few.
Here is the Fairgrounds map, and here is the schedule of all kid-friendly events.
Little Hands on the Farm allows kids to learn about farm life from planting seeds, harvesting food, and taking it to market, including being able to drive cute little tractors. Daily at the Fair Park Coliseum, just east of the Cotton Bowl adjacent to MLK Jr. Blvd.
The Oak Farms Theater offers the Soap Bubble Circus, where performers engage in Guinness World Record-breaking feats with bubbles. Catch the tightrope dancing snowman, and the exploding volcano. Daily at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m., Oak Farms Theater in the Creative Arts building, just north of the Cotton bowl and next to the Embarcadero.
At the Fringe Stage, Acrobuffos will engage in an interactive water balloon fight, strongman Mighty Mike will bend horseshoes and juggle bowling balls, and street performer Sara Twister will bring her archery and contortion skills to entertain the entire family. From October 11 to October 22 only, 12:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m., and 5 p.m.
Tanna Banana will bring children’s stories and songs to the State Fair for the first time. She’s located near the Band Shell. Daily, 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.
¡Fiestas de Marionetas! Is back this year, too, at the McDonald’s Amphitheatre. Daily, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. Friday and Saturdays have a 6 p.m. show. Sign language interpretation is provided at each 11 a.m. show.
Country Roundup puppet show will return to the Dr Pepper Midway Stage. Daily, 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays also feature a 6 p.m. show. Find the stage in the middle of the Midway, on MLK Jr. Blvd.
Dinosaurs at the Lagoon features 10 life-sized dinosaurs that have been found in Texas. Selfie opportunities abound thanks to a 57-foot-tall Alamosaurus, and Dr. Diggie-Bones will entertain kids with an interactive story time. Bonus: There is plenty of seating around, plenty of food options, and a kids’ play area. Daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Located at the Lagoon on First Ave.
Staying later? Catch the Starlight Parade at 7:15 p.m. every night, which features an array of floats, music, fireworks, and fun characters.
Four-legged Friends and More
Say hello to all manner of animals all over the fairgrounds: including the Oncor Petting Zoo, the Children’s Aquarium, and Texas Discovery Gardens, which is butterfly central. (You’ll need to pay admission separately to visit the latter two). The petting zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Pan Am Arena, off Nimitz Circle and below Washington St. The Children’s Aquarium is near MLK Jr. Blvd. above First Ave. and Texas Discovery Gardens is located near the DART MLK Station off Second Ave.
The Pan Am Arena is where you’ll find the livestock. Check out the pigs at the swine barn, and learn about agriculture and see live animals at Big Tex’s Discovery Farmyard. The Farmyard is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6: 30 p.m. Find it next to Leonhardt Lagoon, where the dinosaurs are.
The All-Star Stunt Dog show will bring in super-talented dogs that have performed all over the country, as will the pig races. Daily, 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. The stunt show is just inside the Front Gate, right before you reach the Esplanade.
Meet the Budweiser Clydesdales at Chevy Park Plaza. Daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The plaza is between Gates 10 and 11 just north of Coliseum Dr.
Concerts
There are three stages at the State Fair of Texas, and all the music is free once you’re inside the fairgrounds. The Chevrolet Main Stage will host the big national touring acts, while the Bud Light Stage and the Yuengling Flight Stage will lean more local. Here are a few must-see acts from each stage and where to find the music. Check out this link for the full schedule.
Chevrolet Main Stage
You can’t miss this one. It’s right by Gate 1, between the Centennial Building and the Go Texan Pavilion.
Ceelo Green, the Atlanta legend who first made his name with the Goodie Mob and later topped the charts as a solo act (“F*ck You,” anyone?), will grace the stage Saturday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m.
La Zenda Norteña, the El Paso norteño sax stalwarts, will close out opening weekend on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 8:30 p.m.
Bowling for Soup, the Dallas pop band that’s going strong after decades of earworms, takes the stage Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 8:30 p.m.
Lil Jon, the foundational Atlanta crunk-turned-EDM star, commands the crowd on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 8:30 p.m. (We’d love to hear “Throw It Up” but aren’t counting on it—family event and all.)
Shane Smith & the Saints, the Austin roots rockers that are no strangers to the dancehalls across our great state, play on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 8:30 p.m.
The 40 Acre Mule, which makes some of Dallas’ most reverent and alive brand of rock n’ roll and blues, take over the stage on Wednesday, Oct. 18 with sets at 4 p.m., 5:45 p.m., and 8 p.m. Make sure you catch at least two of them.
The Bud Light Stage
You’ll find this stage in Cotton Bowl Plaza, opposite the food vendors and next to the Beer Barn. There’s a Fletcher’s Corny Dog stand here, and the Beer Barn has the cheapest beer in the fairgrounds. Stay awhile. This is where you’ll find a healthy rotation of local acts.
Tomea will deliver soulful vocals and R&B all day on September 30.
Brave Combo, the Denton polka stalwarts, play at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 5.
Pearl Earl, the North Texas psych rockers, are a must-see at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. on Oct. 6.
State Fair Records All-Star Band, which features a collective of acts from arguably Dallas’ most consistent record label, is on all day on Oct. 8.
Yuengling Flight Stage
You’ll find this low-key stage inside the State Fair Beer and Wine Garden.
John Pedigo is 2023’s resident artist for this stage, who rose to prominence as a member of the folk act The O’s and has since made a name for himself with John Pedigo’s Magic Pilsner and State Fair Records. You can catch the jazz regular Shelley Carrol here (Sept. 30), as well as acts like the accordion-drenched honky tonk of Squeeze Box Bandits (Oct. 7, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.), DJ selections from Oak Cliff’s Spinster Records (Oct. 7, 9:45 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.), and plenty more. Have a drink and take a listen.
And go ahead and put this in your Spotify for the next month:
Sports
The State Fair Classic: Grambling State vs. Prairie View A&M, Saturday, Sept. 30, 6 p.m. at the Cotton Bowl
The HBCU institution celebrates its 98th anniversary and the 31st featuring this matchup. The halftime battle of the bands is worth the $35 price of admission alone. But this game is much bigger than entertainment. It’s a celebration of Black joy.
The Red River Rivalry: Texas vs. OU, Saturday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m. at the Cotton Bowl
It’s the most recognizable piece of the State Fair this side of Big Tex himself, and this year’s game comes with a bit of history, too: it will be the last one contested in the Big XII before the two archrivals relocate together to the SEC. Will the Longhorns nab a second consecutive victory, or will the Sooners avenge last year’s 49-0 blowout loss with an upset win?
In the shadow of Big Tex, you’ll find stores and more than 200 shopping stalls throughout the grounds, selling anything and everything you can imagine.
There are some vendors in spots like Texas Tower Plaza and Pan American Arena Concourse, but most of the shopping stalls are clustered across five buildings and pavilions. Here’s our guide on what you can discover in each spot, as well as where to find them.
Centennial Building
Centennial hosts big chains, like Cabela’s and DirecTV, as well as big-ticket items. Have fun perusing hot tubs and EV golf carts. If you’re looking for remodeling vendors, you’ll want to check this spot out. There will be stonework companies, outdoor furniture, artificial rock waterfalls, and door samples. Find it along the Esplanade, just past the front gate and across from the Automotive Building.
Craft Pavilion
The best place to find cool, sentimental handcrafted gifts is the Craft Pavilion. There are items in all categories, including quilts, soaps, home décor, and wall art. There are plenty of Texas-themed items, too. And many of the stalls have an international twist. Think Egyptian musical instruments, Brazilian gemstone coasters, Venezuelan yarn marionettes, and Turkish mosaic lamps. Find it just behind the Centennial Building, by Gate 1.
Embarcadero
Traditionally, an embarcadero is a landing place, like a pier. While this Fair building isn’t along any water, it certainly has a mix of items, like any good unloading dock. The main things you can find here include clothing, jewelry, sunglasses and other accessories, leather goods, and kitchen gadgets. Also look for foodie gifts, like soup mixes, dips, fudge, olive oil, and tea. There are some cool crafts in here, too, like butterfly art and handmade animal sculptures. Find it behind the Hall of State, next to the Creative Arts Building.
Gateway Pavilion
The Gateway Pavilion has a little bit of everything to capture the attention—and dollars—of any fairgoer. Need a wig or custom-fit toe rings? There’s a booth for you. Do your feet hurt? Get a glycerin-filled shoe insole. If you’re interested in antique lapel pins, this is your spot. You won’t find too much food here, but you can munch on exotic meat jerky, peanut brittle, and stroopwafel. Find it across from the Coliseum, at the intersection of MLK Jr. Boulevard and Coliseum Drive.
Grand Place
If your family can only hit one shopping spot at the Fair, head to Grand Place. The building has it all—wholesale furniture, apparel, fancy foods, and accessories. Your quilter grandma can check out sewing machines. Grandpa can relax in a rocker while admiring the craftsmanship of an antler wine cork. Dad can look at Traeger accessories. Mom can decide on air purifiers. Meanwhile the kids can sample syrups and play with alpaca wool finger puppets. Find it sandwiched between Bix Tex and Cotton Bowl Plaza.
While many of the shops at the State Fair are small businesses from across Texas, there are plenty from across the country, too. Check out some of our favorite out-of-state makers here.
The State Fair of Texas offers over 100 “free” activities daily for your eyeballs! Here are some of the weirder options for 2023.
Dinosaurs at the Lagoon. Featuring 10 life-sized dinosaurs found in Texas and a kids’ play area, including the Alamosaurus. We’re also hoping it includes the fossilized remains of the ValleyViewMallosaurus. (RIP that katana store they had next to the threading shop near the end of that mall’s run).
Butter Sculpture. Each year, a local sculptor uses butter as their medium to create a refrigerated display depicting the Fair’s current theme. It weighs more than 1,000 lbs. Just like you, after eating all day at the fair! Yay! P.S. If it’s not a fried butter sculpture yet, what are we even doing here?
Wild Cow Milking at the Rodeo. This is a team sport in which a bunch of cowboys try to catch a wild cow and milk it as fast as possible. Cool?
Infinity. A new ride is joining the Midway. Yes, you’ll be upside down in the seemingly never-ending loop ride. Yes, it’ll be hot outside. This O-shaped loop track is sure to make you hurl more than insults.
The El Arroyo sign. Opening weekend—that’s Friday, September 29 to Sunday, Oct. 1—Austin’s El Arroyo sign will be making jokes. You should make your aunt’s day and let her stand next to it and take a picture. It’ll be right next to the GOTEXAN Pavilion.
Dog Stunt Show. It’s dogs leaping through stuff, ya know? We like it. Find it near the front gate. Daily, 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; weekends include a 4:30 p.m. show.
Johnson Fitness & Wellness. They’re bringing exercise equipment to the State Fair of Texas, including treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, rowers, and home gyms. That’s like bringing barbecue to a vegan’s house—you’re liable to get your ass gently kicked for something like this.
Sarah Twister. She’s a contortionist who does archery trick shots. Whatever face you just made reading that is the face you’ll be making for the entire show, so choose your own adventure on this one. Fringe Stage, daily.
¡Fiestas de Marionetas! 85 handmade marionettes will come to life to celebrate the State Fair of Texas. This is the premise of our favorite horror film. Daily, 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. Weekends include 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. shows.
My Hometown Baby. From two-piece jammies to adorable zippies, stop by and purchase some PJs for your little ones. “Even including handcuffs to help those little ones avoid small scratches.” Did they say handcuffs? I’m sure it’s fine?
Pig Races. This is that thing where two guys from TX and OU race-chug a deep-fried Snickers, right? JK, it’s pigs racing. Don’t miss it. Yelling at pigs to run faster is scientifically proven to realign your chakras. That’s not true. But, it should be. Daily, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., near the Chevrolet Park Plaza and Gate 11.
Whiskey in a Week. We have the technology! Founded by Dr. Rutledge Ellis-Behnke, this company found a way to replicate the taste, color, and aroma of a premium whiskey in just one week. And you can chug their science booze in even less time. Custom clan tartans will also be available at their booth, located in Grand Place, during the Fair.
The Guy In The Motorized Recliner. He’s the Where’s Waldo? of the Fair. Spot him, and you have five years of good luck.
Freaky Ferments Food & Beverage. Based out of Fort Worth, they sell handcrafted fermented pepper sauces and foods. Try their ghost pepper and reaper pepper sauces, and totally blow your corny dog palate. Find Freaky Ferments Food & Beverage in Grand Place during the Fair.
Medieval Mapmaker. New to the fair this year, this place makes real and fictional maps! Ooh, make me one of Highland Park and put a TJ MAXX and a Dolly Python in it and I’ll hang it up at SMU somewhere just to freak out the people who live there. Or have them make you a giant map of Dallas and then when someone asks you for directions, clunkily unfold it and give them turn-by-turn directions, just like the first explorers to conquer NorthPark Mall did.
Doctor’s Note. If this list wasn’t weird enough, make your boss a little uncomfortable by bringing in this doctor’s note excuse from Big Tex.
The State Fair of Texas is a fun adventure for many Texans. But for disabled visitors, it can be tough to navigate the loud noises, crowds, and mobility challenges. The Fair does have a brief Amenities and Accessibility guide on its FAQ page. But we talked to public relations manager Taylor Austin to learn more about the accommodations and resources available for disabilities.
Sensory-friendly Accommodations
For the fifth year in a row, the Fair will host sensory-friendly mornings every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can learn more about the plan here, and see the full schedule here. Basically, says Austin, the Fair will “turn off all of the flashy, blinky lights.” Staff will turn off as much sound as possible. Big Tex’s volume will be turned down and the online guide lists the times he will speak to help folks prepare.
Hosting sensory friendly mornings benefits many folks with sensitives, Austin says, “whether it’s someone with autism or someone who suffers from migraines or has PTSD.” In addition to turning off the sound and lights, the Fair will have quiet zones, sensory-friendly shows, and volunteers on hand to help, too.
New to Sensory Friendly Mornings
The State Fair is working with disability nonprofit Joni & Friends on the first sensory-friendly Wednesday—October 4—this year. The group will provide a volunteer to support families who may need assistance maneuvering around the Fair “so they have an extra set of hands,” Austin says. “And it just makes the visit go just a little bit easier.” Families must pre-register ahead of time. If all goes well, Austin hopes to bring back Joni & Friends every sensory-friendly morning next year, too.
Sensory-Friendly Mornings Show Schedule:
- 11 a.m. Fiestas de Marionetas at the McDonald’s Amphitheater
- 12:30 p.m. In the Kitchen with Cutco: Celebrity Chef Kitchen at the Creative Arts Building
Quiet Zones
During sensory-friendly mornings, the Fair will have designated quiet zones to help folks decompress from all the stimuli. There is a map in the sensory guide but see the list below.
- Safe Kids Corral at Guest Relations, near the Top o’ Texas Tower,
- Children’s Aquarium
- Heritage Hall of Honor, upstairs at the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center
- Note: This space is only open October 15
Quiet Zones are unavailable during regular hours.
Deaf or Hearing-Impaired Accommodations
The State Fair has several resources for Deaf or hearing-impaired visitors. There are telecommunications devices at the guest relations centers in the Centennial Building and on the Midway to help visitors communicate with the staff. The Fair also offers American Sign Language interpretation at select shows Friday–Sunday. See the schedule below.
- 11 a.m. Fiestas de Marionetas at the McDonald’s Amphitheater
- 12:30 p.m. In the Kitchen with Cutco: Celebrity Chef Kitchen at the Creative Arts Building
- 3:00 p.m. Livestock 101 at the Bull Alley
- 4:30 p.m. All-Star Stunt Dog Show at the Marine Corps Square
Blind or Visually Impaired Accommodations
The State Fair doesn’t have any specific resources for visitors who are blind or visually impaired, Austin says. But she recommends asking staff any of the info booths across the fairgrounds for directions or help, if needed.
Mobility Accommodations
Accessibility Rentals
You can rent wheelchairs, motorized scooters, strollers, and wagons for your day at the Fair through HomeTown Mobility. The daily rates are $20 to 25 for strollers and wagons, $25 for a wheelchair, and $70 for a motorized scooter. These mobility tools will be available at four different gates—the Front Gate, Gates 5 and 11, and at the Pan Am Gate. If you come with your own mobility aids, like crutches or a walker, HomeTown Mobility can store them for you during the day. You can also hitch your crutches or cane onto your rental scooter.
All wheelchairs and motorized scooters are first-come, first-serve, so it’s recommended to book yours in advance. It’s possible to rent one day-of if you get tired in the middle of your visit, Austin says, but there’s no guarantee that there will be something available, especially on busy days. To pick up your rental, you must show a valid driver’s license or state ID. (Paper copies won’t work). You also must be 18 or older to rent a scooter.
Visitors can bring in their own accessibility tools, like wheelchairs, but all must follow the Fair’s guest code of conduct.
Book your mobility rental here.
Mobility Accessible Rides
If you have mobility impairments and still want to experience some of the Fair’s rides, Austin recommends the Top o’ Texas Tower and the Texas Skyway Gondola Skyride. The latter has a cart with room for a wheelchair or stroller, she says.
Handicap Parking
Parking is also first-come, first-serve, so Austin recommends arriving early to snag a spot. They have different amounts of reserved handicapped parking at the various official State Fair parking lots. You must have a valid handicap hangtag or license plate to park in those spaces. There will be wheelchair-accessible trams ferrying folks back and forth from the various parking lots.
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