The State Fair of Texas is proud to welcome folks from all walks of life. Each year, the Fair offers a variety of amenities to make the event more accessible to everyone. From baby care centers, to sign language interpreting, our organization is constantly looking at ways to be inclusive to all types of fairgoers.
ASL INTERPRETATION & SPANISH TRANSLATION
Sign Interpretation and Spanish translations are available at select shows throughout the run of the Fair. Find these showtimes in the daily schedule in our visitor’s guide online here or pick one up on your way into the fairgrounds.
BABY CARE CENTERS
Baby Care Centers are available for the convenience of guests. Over the past few years, three brand new Baby Care Centers have been installed – one next to the Children’s Aquarium, one in the new Guest Relations Building on the Midway, and one near the Swine Barn and Backyard Steak-Out & Pizzeria. Please see our map for exact locations. Changing stations are located in all of the women’s restrooms and in the men’s restrooms located in Cattle Barn #1, both sides of the Coliseum, Embarcadero, the Midway, the Perot Museum, east of the Aquarium, 1st & MLK, and MLK & Coliseum. An area is also available in the Oak Farms Children’s Activity Center. Electrical outlets are available in the Baby Care Centers.
CHEVROLET MAIN STAGE ACCESSIBILITY
There is a designated area for fairgoers with disabilities located near the center, front of the stage. To the far left of the stage is a first aid station.
COTTON BOWL ACCESSIBILITY
Handicap access for the Cotton Bowl is available at gates A, C, and J.
FIRST AID
First Aid has two locations; one located at the Coliseum, and one located at 1st Avenue adjacent to the Children’s Aquarium. In case of an emergency, please find and notify the nearest police officer, safety team member, or State Fair employee and a First Aid Unit will be dispatched to any location within the fairgrounds.
HANDICAP PARKING
The State Fair of Texas has handicap parking available in official State Fair parking lots. Please note vehicles must have a hangtag or handicap license plate to park in designated spaces and must pay for parking. Parking attendants will direct patrons to parking spaces for the disabled. These spaces can fill up quickly on Senior Citizen Days, Saturdays, and Sundays. We always recommend arriving early. Enter at Fitzhugh & Lagow, then go on to MLK, Grand, Pennsylvania, or Coliseum. A few spots are available at the Pan Am gate, Gurley, and on Saturday and Sunday at the Haskell entrance. From the Haskell lots, visitors can ride the tram to the entrance gate.
SAFE KIDS CORRAL
Should you be separated from your child, or encounter a child looking for their parent or guardian, immediately report the missing child to the nearest police officer, safety team member, or information booth. Many times, children can quickly be reconnected to their loved one, but should they need more time to locate the parent, the child will be escorted to the Safe Kids Corral. This location is located on the Midway, adjacent to the Top o’ Texas Tower and Neon Big Tex and staffed with Tex Team members to look after children until they are reconnected with their family.
SENSORY-FRIENDLY MORNINGS
On every Wednesday of the Fair from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., fairgoers can enjoy Sensory-Friendly Mornings, where there will be adjustments made across the fairgrounds to better accommodate those with sensory-related concerns. The Fair created a list of activities and exhibits that are easy on the eyes and ears – check back closer to the Fair to see our GUIDED ITINERARY and plan your visit at BigTex.com/Sensory. In addition, fairgoers will be able to enjoy all the fun of the Midway without the usual lights and sounds from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Please note that the usual lights and sounds of the Midway will return at 1:30 p.m. There are also a few locations around the grounds designated as “Quiet Zones” where families can go throughout their visit should they need to depressurize. These locations are posted on BigTex.com/Sensory.
The Fair welcomes individuals with autism, their families, and anyone else who may benefit from a sensory-friendly experience to come out and enjoy the great State Fair of Texas on Sensory-Friendly Mornings. See you at the Fair!
P.S. Wednesday is also the best discount day! Each person who brings five canned food items to donate to North Texas Food Bank will receive $5 admission.
TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES FOR THE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING
TDD phones are located at Guest Relations on the Midway.
WAGONS, STROLLERS, WHEELCHAIRS AND MOBILITY SCOOTERS
The State Fair of Texas offers wagons, strollers, wheelchairs and mobility scooters for rent through HomeTown Mobility. Reservations can be made in advance at www.htmia.com or by calling 1-712-938-2029 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, as well as on weekends during the State Fair. A valid driver’s license or state ID is required for all rentals. Per the State Fair of Texas Guest Code of Conduct, Improper or illegal use of motorized scooters or similar items will not be allowed. Dangerous behavior or failure to abide by scooter rules will result in loss of privilege to operate a scooter and subject the offender to possible eviction from the fairgrounds.
Reservations need to be made at least 24 hours in advance, and cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance to receive a refund, minus a $5 cancellation fee per rental unit. Rental locations are at the Front Gate (Parry Ave.), Grand Ave. (Gate 5), Pennsylvania Pedestrian Entrance (Gate 11), and Pan Am Gate (North side of the fairgrounds). Utilize BigTex.com/Map for more information.
Rental Prices:
Scooters $75 per day (8 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
Wheelchairs $30 per day
Single Strollers $20 per day
Double Stroller $25 per day
Wagons $20 per day
Personal Storage Cubical $5
UNISEX RESTROOMS
Both the Embarcadero and Tower buildings have unisex restrooms.
The State Fair of Texas continues to add and enhance it’s accessibility measures and we welcome feedback from fairgoers. To provide feedback or suggestions for future Fairs, please contact PR Director Taylor Pulfer at tpulfer@bigtex.com.