Details Released for Annual Fair Park Fourth Celebration

Friday, September 28 – Sunday, October 21.

No, however Season Passes and Season Pass combo packs are currently available for order at BigTex.com. General admission tickets will be available starting in August.

12 noon – 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4, 2017.

The fireworks show is expected to begin at 9:37 p.m.

Parking for the general public is $10 at Fair Park Gates 5 and 6. If Gates 5 and 6 reach maximum capacity, Gates 10 and 11 will be opened for additional parking. DART is also available to ride to Fair Park.

• Admission tickets to the Midway can be purchased at the entrance gates for $8, or online for $5 here.
• Children under the age of 3 are admitted FREE.
• Rides, games, and concessions are additional fees.
• Admission to other Fair Park festivities, excluding museums, is FREE.

Admission includes live music, live fireworks show, water features, and access to rides, games, and concessions. Rides, games, and concessions are an additional cost.

Razzmajazz Dixieland Band
• 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Strolling the Midway

Bamboo Boat Band
• 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Stage under the “saddle” near the fireworks-viewing area and the Top o’ Texas Tower on the Midway

Guests will need to purchase Magic Money wristbands in order to pay for all rides, games, and concessions on the Midway. Details can be found below:

• Wristbands may be purchased with cash or credit card (American Express, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover), with a $20 minimum on all credit card transactions.

• Reusable wristbands cost $2 each.

• $1 is equal to 1 credit.

• Guests have the option of purchasing any of the following four packages:
A. $20 – 18 credits & 1 reusable wristband
B. $40 – 38 credits & 1 reusable wristband
C. $60 – 58 credits & 1 reusable wristband
D. $100 – 98 credits & 1 reusable wristband

• If guests do not wish to purchase a package, they can purchase individual credits, however they will also have to pay a one-time fee of $2 for a reusable wristband.

• Guests who already have a reusable wristband can purchase individual credits and “re-load” their wristbands.

• Magic Money wristbands will be sold at seven (7) different booth locations around the Midway. There will also be two (2) vending machines at each gate that Guests will be able to purchase the re-usable wristband packages at.

• Guests will be able to “re-load” their wristbands at any of these seven booths. There will also be fifty (50) “re-load” stations that Guests can add more credits to their wristbands. Guest will NOT be able to purchase wristbands at the “re-load” stations.

Yes. You can also reuse your Magic Money wristband at future Fair Park Fourth events, in addition to any other Talley Amusement event. You can find future events that accept Magic Money on Facebook or Twitter at: facebook.com/talleyamusements or twitter.com/TalleyAmusement.

Yes, you may use coupons from the Fair.

Yes, there will be two ATMs located on the Midway for guest use.

Visitors can ride the DART Rail Green Line to two stations – Fair Park Station, located on Parry Avenue at the Front Gate entrance to Fair Park, or MLK, Jr. Station, located south of R.B. Cullum Blvd. and convenient to the MLK, Jr. Blvd. entrance (Gate 6) to Fair Park.

Please visit https://www.dcta.net/routes-schedules/a-train/a-train-schedule for information related to the Denton County A-train.

Yes, there will be beer sold at the State Fair of Texas Midway.

…my own cooler to the State Fair of Texas Midway? Yes.
Your cooler will be searched as you enter the grounds; please do not bring metal knives, glass containers, or alcoholic beverages.

…my own food and beverages? Yes.
Tasting “fair food” is a big reason why people visit the Fair, but if you have dietary or other reasons for wanting to bring your own food or beverages, please do. Please note: Alcohol, glass containers, and metal knives and forks are prohibited.

…a pet? No.

Pets are NOT allowed. However, a service animal is permitted for individuals with a disability. Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. All service animals must remain on a leash or harness and may not be left unattended. Service animal behavior is the responsibility of the owner and you will be asked to leave the Fair if their behavior becomes a threat to the safety of another guest or employee. We do not have accommodations for pets at the fairgrounds.

For more information about service animals and the ADA, please visit their website.

…megaphones, bull horns and air horns? No.

Megaphones, bull horns, air horns, and similar items are NOT allowed. Please leave these items at home or in your vehicle prior to entering the fairgrounds. Use of these items on the fairgrounds is strictly prohibited and will result in the item being confiscated and could result in you being removed from the fairgrounds.

…large signs.

Large signs are NOT allowed. Please leave them at home or in your vehicle prior to entering the fairgrounds. Use of these items on the fairgrounds will result in confiscation of related materials and could result in you being removed from the Fair.

…knives, scissors, and other sharp implements? No.
Please help us keep the fairgrounds safe and fun for all. We reserve the right to search all fairgoers upon entry into the Midway. All sharp metal objects, such as pocket knives, scissors, and the like, are strictly prohibited, as are guns and other weapons. Please leave these items at home or in your vehicle. If you usually carry a pocket knife and forget it’s in your pocket when you reach the security checkpoint, you will be asked to return it to your vehicle to secure your knife or be given the option to dispose of it prior to entering the park. If you question whether something is safe to bring in, it probably isn’t – and should be left at home or in the vehicle.

…a wagon? Yes.
Small children may be pulled in a wagon. Please note that the State Fair of Texas does not provide lockers or areas for storage.

…a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, hover board, or roller skates? No.
The Midway draws large crowds. In the interest of overall safety for our guests, we ask that you do not bring bicycles, skateboards, scooters, hover boards, roller skates, or other wheeled forms of transportation inside the gates (wagons to transport small children are approved). Bicycles are not allowed through State Fair ticket gates. DART provides bicycle racks at the two stations servicing Fair Park – Fair Park Station on Parry Avenue and MLK, Jr. Station.

…Selfie Sticks and Other Camera Equipment
Selfie sticks, tripods, monopods, and similar items are NOT allowed. We ask that you leave your selfie sticks, tripods, monopods, and/or similar items at home or in your vehicle in the interest of the overall safety of our visitors. Use of these items on the fairgrounds is strictly prohibited and will result in the item being confiscated and could result in you being removed from the Fair. If you are a photographer interested in taking photographs with professional or extensive camera equipment, you must first contact the Fair’s Public Relations department via email at pr@BigTex.com.

…Drones
Fair Park is a no drone zone. Drones, quad-copters and/or any type of remote controlled craft are NOT allowed on the fairgrounds, with one exception – registered vendors may sell these types of devices on the fairgrounds without their battery packs. The State Fair of Texas prohibits the use of all remote-controlled devices of any type, including, but not limited to, aircraft, drones, quad-copters, cars or trucks, on or above property owned, leased or controlled by the Fair. Operation of such remotely controlled aircraft or ground vehicle devices without prior written consent of the State Fair of Texas or proper law enforcement authority will result in the confiscation of all related materials, you being removed from Fair property, and/or prosecution under Texas law.

…a concealed handgun or openly carried handgun? No, with one exception.

A person holding a valid Texas License to Carry a Handgun (LTC), or a valid concealed handgun license from a reciprocating state, is permitted to enter the Fair with his or her concealed handgun, provided that he or she thereafter fully complies with all applicable laws. LTC holders are responsible for knowing and complying with all applicable Texas laws. For example, under Texas Penal Code Section 46.035 a LTC holder is prohibited from carrying a concealed handgun (1) inside Cotton Bowl Stadium or on any other premises where a high school, collegiate, or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place, (2) on the premises of a business that derives 51 percent or more of its income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, or (3) while intoxicated.

State Fair of Texas prohibits Fair attendees (including LTC holders) from openly carrying handguns while at the Fair. If an individual attempts to enter the Fair with an openly carried handgun, he or she will not be allowed to enter the Fair unless he or she conceals the handgun (if he or she has a valid LTC) or secures the handgun in his or her vehicle or at some offsite location. If an LTC holder enters the Fair with a concealed handgun and then begins to openly carry the handgun, he or she will be asked to either conceal the handgun or to leave the Fair.

NOTE: State Fair of Texas does not provide lockers for the storage or checking of weapons for LTC holders, so please plan your visit to the Fair accordingly. For example, if you plan to attend a game or event in the Cotton Bowl Stadium, please secure your weapon at home or in your vehicle prior to entering the fairgrounds.

The State Fair of Texas has received inquiries about its decision not to allow open carry of handguns during the Fair and would like to clear up some of the questions that have been raised. It is important to understand that the State Fair of Texas is—and always has been—a private entity. The Fair leases property from the City of Dallas but is not part of the City or controlled by the City. Also, many of you have read or heard recently about a private organization that may begin operating Fair Park as a whole. That is a different organization that is not related to the Fair.

The State Fair of Texas has long been, and continues to be, a strong supporter of the rights of responsible gun owning Texans. For that reason, the Fair has long allowed Fair attendees with concealed handgun licenses to carry their handguns while at the Fair (except for locations prohibited by law).

With the recently enacted open-carry law, the State Fair of Texas considered whether to allow openly carried handguns during the Fair. After carefully considering the issue, the Fair has decided to prohibit open carry, while continuing to allow concealed carry. This decision is consistent with an August 9, 2016 opinion letter issued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, in which the Attorney General confirmed that the law which prohibits the government from banning handguns from most government property (Texas Government Code 411.209) applies only to bans implemented by the government and does not override the rights of a private entity that happens to operate on property leased from the government. In that situation, the private entity is no different than any other business operating on private property.

We know that this is an important issue for many Texans, and that the Fair’s decision may disappoint potential fairgoers who regularly and responsibly practice open carry. However, the Fair strongly believes that allowing concealed carry and prohibiting open carry is a reasonable compromise that best ensures the safety and comfort of all Fair attendees.

Please call the State Fair switchboard at (214) 565-9931 or email info@bigtex.com.

In case of emergency, dial 911, or you can call (214) 421-8740 to speak with a Fair representative. In addition, Dallas Police Department officers will throughout the grounds and you can also notify someone wearing a red, white, or blue State Fair of Texas staff shirt.

Approximately 35 rides, 12 games, and 14 concession stands will be available on the State Fair of Texas Midway.

Rides (35)

Rides on the State Fair of Texas Midway during Fair Park Fourth will range from $3 to $7**.

• BEARS
• CAROUSEL
• CENTURY WHEEL
• CIRCUS CIRCUS
• COMBO CARS
• DUNE BUGGY JUMP
• EL PASO TRAIN
• FARM TRACTORS
• FUN SLIDE
• GATOR
• HAUNTED MANSION
• IRON DRAGON
• JUMP CYCLE
• KAMIKAZE
• KIDDIE BUMPER CARS
• KITE FLYER
• LAMBERINK WHEEL
• LOG FLUME
• MAJESTIC BUMPER CARS
• MONKEY MAZE
• MULLIGAN WHEEL
• ORIENT EXPRESS COASTER
• RAIDERS
• SCORPION
• SPIDER
• STARSHIP 2000
• TEXAS SKYWAY
• TEXAS STAR
• THE BEAST
• TILT-A-WHIRL
• TOP O’ TEXAS TOWER
• TORNADO
• ZERO GRAVITY
• ZIPPER
• ZUMER

**Guests must purchase Magic Money wristbands in order to pay for any and all rides, games, and concessions on the Midway.

Games (12)

Games on the State Fair of Texas Midway during Fair Park Fourth will range from $3 to $5**.

**Guests must purchase Magic Money wristbands in order to pay for any and all rides, games, and concessions on the Midway.

Food & Beverage Stations (14)

Prices for food and beverages vary**.

• BURGER PALACE
• CORTNEY CORN DOGS
• FLETCHER’S CORNY DOGS
• FUNNEL CAKE 1
• FUNNEL CAKE 2
• ICEHOUSE ON THE MIDWAY
• LEMON
• PIZZA
• POPCORN/COTTON CANDY
• SLUSHIE
• SPIVEY BEER TRAILER
• STIFFLER’S MOM’S COOKIE FACTORY
• TURKEY LEGS
• TYLER’S FUNNEL CAKE

**Guests must purchase Magic Money wristbands in order to pay for any and all rides, games, and concessions on the Midway.

Fair Park Fourth will feature patriotic performances, entertainment, and concession stands, plus a spectacular firework show at approximately 9:30 p.m. On the Fair Park grounds, other attractions are available, including water inflatables, midway games, a zipline on the Esplanade, rides, face painters and more! Access to the Swan Boats and additional concession stands will be available in Cotton Bowl Plaza starting at 12 p.m. and along Grand Avenue starting at 3 p.m. Starting at 6 p.m., guests should be sure to head to the Lagoon for live entertainment. Followed by the National Anthem at approximately 6:45 p.m. and a performance from the Dallas Winds at 7 p.m.

The following is a list of museums that will be open throughout the day. For more details, visit FairPark.org or contact the museums directly.

• African American Museum – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. – FREE admission
• Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park – 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. – pricing below
  • Adults: $8*
  • Children age 3 – 11: $6*
  • Seniors age 65 & older: $6*
  • Children age 2 & under: FREE
  • *Discounted price of $4 starting at 4:30 p.m.
• Hall of State – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – FREE admission
• Texas Discovery Gardens – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. – pricing below
  • Adults: $10
  • Children age 3 – 11: $5
  • Seniors age 60 & older: $8
  • Children age 2 & under: FREE
• Old Mill Inn restaurant – 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  • Patio opens at 2 p.m.