Millions of people gather at Fair Park every year to make unforgettable memories with their loved ones at the annual State Fair of Texas. In addition to all the Fair fun, the State Fair is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, and COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment. This National Nonprofit Day, the Fair would like to celebrate all the ways that your ticket to the Most Texan Place on Earth makes a difference for Texans across the Lone Star State.
BIG TEX URBAN FARMS
The greenest thumbs at the Fair can be found at the Errol McKoy Greenhouse, located on the Fair’s iconic Midway. This large greenhouse is Big Tex® Urban Farms, an initiative that sprouted in 2016 with the goal of growing fresh, healthy foods right in the heart of the city. With this central location, the Farms work to cultivate a collaborative food system that invests financial and human capital into surrounding Fair Park neighborhoods and companies. It does this by supporting community gardens, connecting like-minded food-related organizations, and providing produce to local entities. These initiatives encourage kids and adults to learn about different ways food can be grown by attending workshops, volunteering, or visiting the Innovations in Agriculture exhibit during the Fair. Jose Lozada of CityLab High School gained some inspiration from the Farms.
“I actually liked learning to how to use the different systems, I now have a grow tower at home that I used to grow cucumbers.”
As of April 2024, the Farms have donated more than 1.5 million servings to organizations in South Dallas, an area affected by food insecurity. That’s a lot of greens! For more information about the Farms and how you can help, visit BigTex.com/BTUF.
BIG TEX YOUTH LIVESTOCK AUCTION
Each year, thousands of exhibitors from across the state of Texas compete for a coveted spot in the annual Big Tex® Youth Livestock Auction. Hosted in the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center during the State Fair of Texas, the auction gives these young exhibitors a chance to show off their animals and compete for the Grand Champion Prize. Catch this year’s Auction on October 4 during the 2024 State Fair of Texas. The Auction has a positive impact as select previous participants receive the Youth Livestock Scholarship.
“Being selected as a 2023 Big Tex Scholar is such an honor! I have shown livestock at the great State Fair of Texas since I was in third grade, and hold this event so near and dear to my heart,” expressed Libby Rogers, a 2023 Youth Livestock Scholar. “Earning this scholarship will not only help me financially as I begin my education at Texas A&M, but it will also be a motivator to do my very best. I want to uphold the values and lessons learned at the State Fair and be an example of what it means to be a Big Tex Scholar.”
Last year, the auction raised more than $2.1 million in scholarships and prizes for Texas youth. All proceeds go right back to the community through the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Program, which has awarded more than $33 million in auction awards and scholarships since its inception.
BIG TEX SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Named after everyone’s favorite cowboy, the Big Tex® Scholarship Program supports Texas students with new college scholarships every year, expanding educational opportunities for thousands of students across the state. In the 2024 scholarship cycle, the Fair was proud to award 225 scholarships, for a total of more than $1.3 million.
Since 1992, the Big Tex® Scholarship Program has awarded a total of more than $18.8 million to more than 3,500 Texas students through several different scholarship awards, including the Juanita Craft Scholarship, Seasonal Employee Scholarship, Youth Livestock Scholarship, and more. The Juanita Craft Scholarship honors the South Dallas civil rights activist by awarding multiple $6,000 scholarships to select applicants from six Fair Park-area high schools. Seasonal Employee Scholarships support seasonal employees who have completed at least three years of employment with the Fair or their dependents. The Youth Livestock Scholarship awards $6000 scholarships to select previous State Fair youth livestock competitors who are graduating from a Texas high school and will be attending a Texas college, university, or accredited trade school. Abigail Juarez Trejo, a Junita Craft Scholar and business major at the University of Texas shared what the Big Tex Scholar program means to her.
“For most of my life, I’ve loved living a couple of minutes away from the State Fair of Texas. I couldn’t believe I received an opportunity to be a Big Tex Scholar, which would not only help my future endeavors, it would also make my parents worry less. A piece of home is supporting me in receiving my education, and I am so thankful!”
For information about scholarships, this year’s recipients, and how to apply for next year, visit BigTex.com/Scholarship. The 2025 application opens on Opening Day of the State Fair of Texas, September 27, 2024. In addition to the Big Tex® Scholarship Program, the State Fair hosts other educational initiatives and community events throughout the school year.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DAY
Community Engagement Day is a quarterly program hosted by the fair, inviting South Dallas nonprofits to share resources and build their social capital.
“When I caught wind of Community Engagement Days returning to in-person meetings after the COVID-19 pandemic, I registered immediately! These luncheons bring so many of us doing grassroots-level work together in a space that helps create true connections,” stated Susana Cruz of Cedar Hill State Park. “Our missions align and overlap, making it feel as though you are in a room full of friends and kindred spirits. When I see attendees at other community events or just out at the grocery store, it amazes me that we are connected because of the State Fair of Texas’ initiative to build lasting ties between community organizations through these events. As soon as I hear about the next date, true joy fills my heart knowing I get to see all my friends, meet new ones, and visit the State Fair team.”
This past year, the Fair hosted more than 500 attendees spanning over the four sessions. Almost 300 of those magnificent folks come out during the Fair to learn and network. Attendees learned about practical knowledge and actionable strategies to enhance their organization’s sustainability efforts from Ashley McIver, keynote speaker and Senior Community Philanthropy Officer for Communities Foundation of Texas.
COMMUNITY GRANTS AND SPONSORSHIPS PROGRAM
With hundreds of nonprofit organizations operating in the Southern Sector of Dallas, there is no shortage of ways to bolster our community. The Fair supports local changemakers with grants focused on four key areas: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, CAPACITY BUILDING FOR NONPROFITS, and EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING.
In 2023, more than $673,000 in community grants and sponsorships were awarded to 101 organizations serving the South Dallas/Fair Park area. To learn more about our grant program, visit BigTex.com/Grants.
BIG TEX BUSINESS MASTERCLASS
Part of the State Fair of Texas’ success is contingent on the hundreds of businesses offering delicious food throughout the grounds, and the Fair is committed to helping small businesses during the off-season through the Big Tex Business Masterclass. This five-month cohort is comprised of seven to ten small business owners who are provided a classroom, mentoring, and hands-on opportunities for growth and exposure to the food and beverage industry.
These small business owners learn to excel in both general business operations and within festival and fair-specific environments. Plus, they have the opportunity to network with one another. While completion of this program is not an automatic acceptance to the State Fair of Texas, it allows a behind-the-scenes view and insight into what it takes to be a food and beverage vendor for the Fair. Jahona Davis, a 2023 graduate of the cohort and owner of Lulu’s Loaded Potatoes enjoyed her experience.
“It’s just one of those ‘you had to be there’ moments. Being able to see the fairgrounds go from an empty park to a park of masses. Cultures from around the world to make the Fair happen. It is more than a team, it truly is a family,” said Jahona Davis, owner of Lulu’s Loaded Potatoes. “Having the opportunity to be part of the Big Tex Masterclass provided insight on not just what it takes to become a new food vendor, but to have lawyers, bankers, and other organizations that partner with the State Fair of Texas. The program is well worth your time.”
The Fair has a handful of graduates that are now vendors during the 24-day exposition. In fact, two finalists in this year’s Big Tex® Choice Awards are graduates of the Masterclass: Tony Bednar from Tony’s Taco Shop with The Drowning Taquitos and Heather Perkins from Delicious Candy Pickles Factory with Texas Sugar Rush Pickles. For more information on the Big Tex Business Masterclass, visit BigTex.com/Masterclass.
STATE FAIR CARES
State Fair Cares is an initiative that encourages fairgoers and the surrounding community to join us as we lend a helping hand to the various area organizations during the Fair and into the holiday season. Last year during the “Feed the Need” campaign, every Wednesday fairgoers donated canned goods in exchange for discounted admission. Fair volunteers collected 218,000 pounds of canned food items which equated to more than 181,000 meals for the North Texas Food Bank to serve the community.
The day after the Fair concludes, concessionaires and vendors donate leftover food to local food pantries and shelters. In 2023, 27 vendors representing 105 booths helped nine South Dallas/Fair Park area organizations with their donations. Following this initiative, the State Fair Cares Holiday Event and Benefit took place as a community effort to celebrate the start of the holiday season and donate items to a local nonprofit. Last year, State Fair food and beverage vendors, related third-party vendors, State Fair full-time staff, and members of the State Fair of Texas Board brought toys, coats, and clothing for children ages six weeks to three years old to donate to Head Start of Greater Dallas.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION OF FAIR PARK
Covering 277 acres of downtown Dallas, Fair Park is a testament to the rich history and culture of the Lone Star State. It has served as the home of the State Fair for more than a century, giving visitors from all over the world a taste of Texas. Each year, the Fair contributes funds to maintain and improve these historic grounds, so that visitors can enjoy their family traditions for years to come. Visit BigTex.com/AnnualReport for more information.
Fun fact: Fair Park was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986—one hundred years after the first Dallas State Fair & Exposition!
