The State Fair of Texas is more than a fair. It’s a celebration of Texan pride. It is a place where families, friends, and neighbors from around the world gather to share in an experience filled with a sense of community. It’s you, the fairgoer, who embodies the bigger-than-life spirit of the State Fair of Texas. In 2018, you and more than 2 million fairgoers, expressed your unique Fair experience through photos posted on social media. This tapestry of images forms a larger story of food, fun, and unforgettable moments that can only be had at the State Fair of Texas.
Texas Pride
Opening Day, the world-renowned Rangerettes and the Marine Core band all share something in common with the Fair as a whole … a deep respect for our Lone Star State.
Photo by Levington Photography on Facebook
Food
From a corn dog inspired ale to a fried ball of sweet rice, concessionaires at the Fair offered up a wide variety of new foods in 2018. Of course, turkey legs were bestsellers again, but we noticed a certain taco-shaped food item was a new favorite among our social media fans.
Photo by Fortheliangrun on Instagram
Texas Innovation
Our 2018 theme was Celebrating Texas innovation and we were thrilled that the Hall of State was transformed into a “museum” of Texas inventions. A margarita machine was showcased in the lobby, special edition Fort Mustangs were displayed in the main hall, and there was even an opportunity for fairgoers to reenact an antigravity chamber on the Space Shuttle, courtesy of Lockheed Martin.
Photo by michaelmcgary on Instagram
Midway Thrills
Who doesn’t love a thrill on a Midway ride? You, our fairgoers, sure love the rides and we don’t blame you.
Photo by high_vis on Instagram.
Murals
A few years back we noticed that lots of our fairgoers were snapping selfies of themselves in various areas of the fairgrounds, so we figured, why not give y’all some cool backgrounds to take those photos with. Looks like you found them and loved them!
Photo by bxnath on Instagram
Home on the Range
How did we transform the inside of the historical coliseum while simultaneously updating our petting zoo and Little Hands on the Farm attraction? Home on the Range! It was our stand-out attraction for 2018 and if you didn’t get a chance to stop by to experience it this year, add it to your list for 2019.
Photo by Joanna_262 on Instagram
The Red River Showdown
The Texas versus OU game is epic every year but this year felt even BIGGER than ever. Not only did ESPN and FOX Sports broadcast nationally from the Fair but the game itself was a nail-biter down to the very last play! The air in the Cotton Bowl was electric that day and your pictures proved that.
Photo by dshekat on Instagram
Rainy Day Fun
It sure did rain a lot this Fair season but that didn’t keep the Fair fans away. Many of you threw on rain gear, grabbed an umbrella, and didn’t let the water ruin your annual Fair tradition. And the best thing about a rainy day? The cool photos you took at night.
Photo by photofox5000 on Instagram.
Vroom Vroom
The Texas Auto Show at the State Fair of Texas just seemed like a lot more fun than your average auto show and you captured that this year with fun photos like this one.
Photo by scorpionindigio on Instagram
The Big Guy
At the end of the day, the most shared photos on social media were of the big guy himself: Big Tex. And why not? After all, we are the only place you can you see a 55-foot cowboy who greets you with a friendly “Howdy” and sends you off into the sunset every night with a hearty “Thank you for visiting the State Fair of Texas!”