When Big Tex® welcomes folks from all walks of life onto the Fairgrounds, it is also an invitation to be a part of something greater beyond the 24 days of Fair fun. When you walk through the gates and scan your ticket, it holds more value than just admission to the Most Texan Place on Earth®— you directly play a role in the Fair’s nonprofit mission to support the Fair Park/South Dallas community and Texans across the Lone Star State. From scholarships that help students achieve their dreams in higher education to feeding families in need through initiatives like Big Tex® Urban Farms, your State Fair of Texas® visit helps Texans year-round!
EDUCATION
Education is a core pillar of the State Fair of Texas’ mission, which aims to ensure that students from diverse backgrounds have access to higher education through scholarships and year-round programming, field trips, workshops, and other resources. As a cornerstone of the organization, the belief that knowledge is essential to the continuous growth and future of the great state of Texas is emphasized in multiple ways.
Big Tex Scholarship Program
One of the largest and most rewarding education programs that the Fair is proud to provide for students is the Big Tex® Scholarship Program. Since 1992, the Big Tex Scholarship Program has awarded more than $21.4 million to over 3,850 students to help them succeed in their higher education journey. Visit BigTex.com/Scholarship for more information and available scholarship opportunities.
Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction
As a key part of the State Fair’s nonprofit mission, and one of our largest philanthropic events during Fair time, the Big Tex® Youth Livestock Auction brings together passionate Texas students who have tirelessly prepared to raise and auction off their animals. Every dollar – 100% – raised for Auction Day goes directly to the youth exhibitors, with remaining proceeds supporting the Big Tex Scholarship Program, helping even more Texas students achieve their educational goals. Through the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs, the State Fair has awarded more than $25.3 million in auction awards and new college scholarships since 2018.
Other great initiatives that forefront the Fair’s mission include: Big Tex’s Farm Day at the Fair, a hands-on event for local students to learn the impact that livestock and agriculture have on our daily lives, and Big Tex Next Fest, an event created to empower high school students by giving them the opportunity to speak with employers and learn about different career options through industry leaders.
BIG TEX URBAN FARMS
Did you know Big Tex® has a green thumb? He has his own urban farm right on the Fairgrounds, equipped to produce thousands of pounds of fresh, organic food to feed thousands of Texans in need. Big Tex® Urban Farms, introduced in 2016, is a horticulture-based initiative with hydroponic systems to grow vegetables, fruits, and most recently, mushrooms, with the mycology program added in 2024.
Big Tex Urban Farms donates 100% of the fresh produce it grows to Fair Park/South Dallas organizations, all of which share the common goal of combating food scarcity and hunger. As of 2026, Big Tex Urban Farms has donated over two million servings since its inception in 2016.
In addition to keeping communities fed, Big Tex Urban Farms has planted its roots within the Fair’s education pillar, through the Dallas ISD CityLab High School partnership that began in 2023. High school students participate in a five-month cohort to gain further knowledge of urban agriculture. This opportunity has grown to take place two times a year due to its success.
Beautification of Fair Park has always been a component of the annual State Fair of Texas. A key element of this initiative lies in the ornamental landscape of the fairgrounds. Since 2010, the Fair has invested in full-time landscape personnel and materials to ensure the State Fair and Fair Park look exceptional from the moment guests step through the gates. As the ornamental program has grown and evolved, so have the opportunities to partner with Fair Park management to continue to beautify the crown jewel of the City of Dallas’ parks.
You can visit Big Tex Urban Farms throughout the year and during the Fair to see the hard work and dedication it takes to run the Errol McKoy Greenhouse, located in the heart of Fair Park on the State Fair of Texas Midway. Learn more about Big Tex Urban Farms at BigTex.com/BTUF.
COMMUNITY
The State Fair of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that prides itself on community involvement through family-friendly entertainment and events, which include the annual 24-day exposition, the State Fair of Texas, which also acts as the organization’s largest community program and fundraiser of the year.
The Community Affairs program began in 2016, serving the community through education support, economic development, and building capacity of nonprofits. Since then, more than $8 million has been invested in grants, sponsorships, and other support and resources for local organizations and nonprofits. Through these investments, made possible by our Fairgoers, the State Fair of Texas can continue to build relationships with communities through partnerships and events.
Major events include Big Tex Community Engagement Day, where like-minded organizations come together to converse and share resources; the Juanita Craft Humanitarian Awards, which recognize civic leaders in the community who have made an impact on civil rights in Dallas; and our Pastors Luncheon, which is designed to create an environment to celebrate congregations and invite clergy and community leaders alike to fellowship. For more information on these events, visit BigTex.com/Community.
SMALL BUSINESSES
With more than 90 concessionaires and over 200 shopping vendors, for 24 days, the State Fair of Texas is home to many small, family-owned businesses that deliver quality products to millions of Fairgoers. Whether you are looking for your next perfect gift or trying the newest Fair food concoction, you are supporting Texas small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Created to offer local entrepreneurs a dynamic education series through guidance from the State Fair of Texas, the Big Tex® Business Masterclass is a five-month cohort that features a combination of classroom instruction, one-on-one mentoring, and hands-on learning experiences designed to support business development and industry readiness. Since 2017, the program has proudly produced 76 graduates.
PRESERVING HISTORY
While Fair Park has been home to the State Fair of Texas for 140 years, it is also a National Historic Landmark that is open to the public year-round. The maintenance and upkeep of Fair Park and the State Fair of Texas is another way your visit to the Fair contributes to a greater good. From the iconic Cotton Bowl® Stadium that has brought together fans for the State Fair Classic and Red River Rivalry, to the beautiful art deco buildings that house fan-favorite free exhibits such as Mundo Latino and the Texas Auto Show, your Fair visit plays a key role in continuing our nonprofit mission of giving back to our home and the surrounding community.
We sincerely thank all Fairgoers, donors, volunteers, sponsors, and employees for their support since 1886, and we invite all supporters to join us this 2026 Fair season for another year of Fair fun that makes a great impact far beyond the 24 days.
The State Fair of Texas runs through Friday, September 25, through Sunday, October 18. Plan your visit and purchase your tickets at BigTex.com/Plan.