Viva La Feria

Lupita's Gorditas

Find Lupitas’s Gorditas on the Midway

Guadalupe (Lupita) Velorio

Guadalupe Velorio, more commonly known as Lupita, is the owner of Lupita’s Gorditas, a Mexican concession stand at the State Fair of Texas, where she is widely known for her gorditas. Lupita’s story begins when she was just a little girl, moving to the United States from Coahuila almost 50 years ago.

With over 30 years of working at the State Fair of Texas, she owes her success and upbringing to her mother, who taught her how to cook all the delicious food she now serves in her booth. Lupita is very proud of her Mexican background and loves being able to represent her people at the State Fair of Texas, whom she describes as “humble” and “hardworking”.

Fruteria Cano

Find Fruteria Cano & Canosaurus Cantina on the Midway, lagoon, Lonestar Blvd., & in the Tower Building

Jose Cano

Before Fruteria Cano became an established concession stand at the State Fair of Texas, its founder Jose Cano began his journey at a young age in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. Jose came from a family of vendors. Both his parents and grandmother sold fruit on the streets of Ixmiquilpan, Hidalgo. When he was just a teenager in Ixmiquilpan, Jose was already helping his grandmother sell her crops at the local market when he arrived home from school in the evening.

This shaped him into the person he is today, an entrepreneur who focuses on innovation, but always puts his family first over anything. Like many Latinos, Jose came to the United States at a young age with dreams and aspirations, leaving behind loved ones. He began selling fruit on the streets of Dallas and eventually in various markets throughout the DFW Metroplex.

Vandalay Industries

Find Vandalay Ind. & Cheap Eats on Nimitz & Funway

Abel Gonzales

Abel Gonzales is a household name at the State Fair of Texas for his out-of-this-world fried food; just think of Fried Butter and Fried Coke, that’s all from the mind of Abel. Aside from his creative menu, fully crafted by him that earned him the nickname, Fried Jesus, Abel shows immense pride and love for his Mexican American heritage.

While the first three years at the fair were difficult, he never saw himself in this position. At the first-ever Big Tex Choice Awards in 2005, Abel became the first overall and first Hispanic winner with the Fried PB&J. This year marks the 20^th anniversary of that first BTCA win, which he is still proud of to this day and has opened many doors.

Although it’s been years and countless interviews, the feeling of pride and love for his heritage as a Mexican American never went away, and he makes sure to show it off whenever he can, especially the language. Abel is proud of being bilingual and being able to connect with people through language, especially through “Texas-Spanish”, using laidback slang dialect, that reminds him of where he is from.

Darn Good Corn

Find Darn Good Corn on the Midway

Andy Salinas

If you’ve been coming to the State Fair of Texas since 1996, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Andy Salinas, even if you didn’t realize it. For nearly three decades, Andy and his wife Nina have become a beloved part of the fair experience. They’ve been proudly serving their signature “Darn Good Corn” near the iconic Texas Star on the Midway. However, Andy’s story begins long before he became a fairground favorite, tracing back to Starr County in the Rio Grande Valley, where his journey of hard work and dedication began.

When asked about their heritage, both Andy and Nina said they’re beyond proud to be Hispanic, it’s who they were born to be. Living in the Rio Grande Valley, both were exposed to a multicultural environment that consisted of mostly Hispanics but a variety of other cultures. Through their experiences, they’ve used the motto “treat people how you want to be treated”. A simple yet beautiful way to view society in order for us to become more united.

Mundo Latino Presents: “Día de los Muertos”

Located at: Hall of State

10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

A celebration of the rich history and significance of the Day of the Dead through art installations, shopping opportunities, face painting, and more.

¡Fiestas de Marionetas!

Located at: McDonald’s Amphitheater

11:00 a.m.; 12:30; 3:00; 4:30 p.m.
(6:00 p.m. showing on Fri., Sat., Sun.)

Surrounded by lights and beautiful landscaping, a small village of more than 85 handmade marionettes comes to life to celebrate a fiesta of color, culture, and creativity. Grab a snack at the new Fiesta Dulceria before and after the show!

Dinosaurs at the Lagoon

Located at: Leonhardt Lagoon

Featuring ten life-sized dinosaurs found in Texas, a kids’ play area, and plenty of seating and dining options, this exhibit brings together Fair fun with bilingual educational entertainment for the whole family. Be sure to get your photo with a 57’ tall Alamosaurus!

State Fair of Texas Mexican Fiesta Rodeo

Located at: Coliseum

Oct. 6 at 2:00 p.m.

A Charro-style rodeo performance in the historic Fair Park Coliseum.

State Fair Clásico

Located at: Cotton Bowl Stadium

Oct. 18 at 4:00 p.m.

Dallas Trinity FC will be facing off against legendary international organization Club América Femenil, bridging two vibrant soccer cultures at Cotton Bowl Stadium on October 18.

Mi Amor Just for You

Find Mi Amor Just for You in Grand Place

Guadalupe Carrasco

Mi Amor Just for You started five years ago, when Lupita began to invest in mugs and would later attend pop-up shops and farmers’ markets in California. Eventually, her booth began to take shape with the help of her husband, Mitch, who handles the creative setup and installation, her mother, who creates custom-made jewelry out of pearls and crystals, and her son, who has recently begun to learn the ropes of running the business. Her booth now also includes sombreros that Lupita custom-brands and personalizes in front of customers, creating a one-of-a-kind experience and connection.

Lupita is inspired by seeing people who have never known her culture fall in love with it when they taste coffee in a Talavera mug for the first time, when they wear a decorated sombrero the moment it is customized in front of them in her “hat bar”, or when they wear a piece of jewelry created by her mother. She describes those moments as “culture connecting without borders”.

Being able to represent the Hispanic community at the State Fair of Texas fills her with so much joy and responsibility. She feels that she brings with her not only her products, but also the hands and hearts of those who have kept these traditions alive.

Wapa Handmade

Find Wapa Handmade in Grand Place

Roxana Gomez

This store proudly features handcrafted items made by the Wayuu people, an indigenous community from the Guajira Peninsula region of Colombia, near the Venezuelan border. Through Wapa, Roxana partners with Wayuu women artisans, sharing a portion of her profits to support their livelihoods and preserve their cultural heritage. Each bag is created using traditional crochet techniques, a craft that has been passed down through generations.

Roxana’s first time at the State Fair of Texas was in 2023 when she received a phone call on the 12^th day of the fair. The person behind the phone told her that a spot had just opened and would be available the next day. Without any hesitation, Roxana made the 4-hour drive from San Antonio to Dallas. The next morning, she was already setting up her stand, getting ready to showcase all the wonderful and colorful bags of the Wayuu women.

With every bag sold, Wapa spreads the culture of Colombia and of the Wayuu people to thousands of individuals. If you see Roxana at the fairgrounds, make sure to ask her more about the story of her business. She’ll gladly tell you about the history, how it helps the Wayuu people, and how beautiful her country of Colombia truly is!

Lael Alpaca

Find Lael Alpaca in the Craft Pavilion & Grand Place

Mercedes Gamero

In 2008, Mercedes established Lael Alpaca, a brand dedicated to offering clothing and accessories crafted exclusively from 100% Peruvian alpaca wool. Known for its softness, hypoallergenic properties, and the ability to regulate temperature, alpaca wool is unique compared to other natural materials. Beyond its quality, Lael Alpaca represents Mercedes’s commitment to working alongside Peruvian farmers, supporting sustainable practices and contributing to the well-being of local communities.

Since 2011, Mercedes has been introducing thousands of fairgoers to the artistry of alpaca clothing, garments that most would otherwise have to travel across the globe to discover. Like all Latinos, she’s someone who’s proud of her heritage and believes that we are all one big family that cannot be divided.

Artesanías y Telares de Mi Tierra

Find Lael Alpaca in the Craft Pavilion

Blanca Muñoa

Artesanías y Telares de Mi Tierra began in 2013, when artisanal products were not as commonly seen or sold in the United States, especially embroidered items. However, her story began with a project called “De Norte a Sur Corazones sin Fronteras”. Blanca lived in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, where she would see indigenous families and their children in the streets selling their handmade crafts. She would notice that many of the children would wear sweaters that were too short and that moved something in her. It was a cold city, and families, along with their children, would be struggling in the cold streets, selling their products to make a living; thus, “De Norte a Sur Corazones sin Fronteras” was created. Different communities in the city, from other businesses, neighbors, and even some of her clients, would gather food, clothes, toys, and aid to donate to about 8 indigenous communities living in Chiapas.

Blanca is very proud of her Mexican roots. She is especially proud of the values instilled in Hispanic culture by grandparents and parents, stating that they are fortunate to grow up with an education of values. With the fall season coming up, she is also focusing on celebrating Dia de los Muertos, bringing ofrendas to sell and show at the State Fair. She hopes people who may not necessarily have Hispanic roots, be open to Hispanic culture and implement it in everyday life, like drinking coffee in a ceramic mug. She loves being to reconnecting people in the U.S. with their culture through embroidered clothing and ceramics, and hopes to create even more at the State Fair of Texas.