Advertisement

arts entertainmentState Fair

Do the State Fair like a blue-ribbon champion with these pro tips

Follow these unspoken rules and you'll be a Fair Park pro.

The State Fair of Texas can be overwhelming, even for the most experienced fair-goer. Want to get the most out of your State Fair visit? Follow these unspoken rules and you'll be a Fair Park pro.

Arrive early or stay late. Cooler weather means you get the most out of your State Fair experience. After dark is preferred, when the Midway lights up, the nightly fireworks show and Starlight Parade dazzle visitors and the top-notch artists hit the Chevrolet Main Stage.

Advertisement

The temptation is to get your Fletcher's Corny Dog first thing when you get in the main gate. Avoid that temptation. The lines are always long near Big Tex and there are other Fletcher's stands where you can stock up on the fair favorite. Patience is a virtue; avoid the lines, try another location.

News Roundups

Catch up on the day's news you need to know.

Or with:

Speaking of Big Tex, just ask someone to take your photo. Selfie sticks are not allowed at the State Fair, and the angle you'd have to get for a selfie with Big Tex isn't worth it. Let someone else take the photo from a proper distance so you and Big Tex both look your best.

If you see hand sanitizer, use hand sanitizer. Please don't be that guy who doesn't wash up after the petting zoo.

Need to refuel but don't want to break the bank on fried foods? Check out the Go Texan Pavilion for free samples of Texas' finest food producers.

Advertisement

Cool down with a stroll through the Centennial Building's auto show. The A/C is frigid in there, and it can be a great place to chill before braving the heat again.

Make sure to wear a hat to keep the sun at bay. Big Tex prefers a 95-gallon hat, but a ball cap will work just as well.

Advertisement

Online coupon pickup sounds nice, but the lines can be twice as long. Instead, check out the credit-card-enabled machines, like coupon ATMs.

Set a budget for those addictive Midway games. One ticket sheet? Two? Five? Whatever you decide, make sure to keep yourself within budget. Because let's face it, if you didn't knock that bottle over in your first 10 tries, you're not gonna get it on the 11th.

Take DART. Just do it.