And in , the race track complex was razed to permit construction of 46,seat Fair Park Stadium — later renamed the Cotton Bowl. In , largely through the efforts of civic leader R. Thornton, Fair Park was selected as the central exposition site for the proposed Texas Centennial celebration. The Texas Centennial Exposition attracted more than 6 million people during its six-month run. A similar but smaller-scaled event, the Pan American Exposition, was presented in No fairs were held from Thornton, the State Fair of Texas entered an era of unprecedented growth.
Attendance reached the 2 million visitor level in Highlights of the s included the development of an international livestock show, installation of a monorail system, a Cotton Bowl concert by Elvis Presley, a visit from Vice President Richard Nixon and the first appearance of Big Tex, a foot cowboy figure erected in the center of the grounds.
Since , each exposition has been keyed to a theme. In , the total number of fairgoers exceeded 3 million for the first time. Cullum served as State Fair president. Tragic midway accidents in and led to the adoption of a ride safety program that is considered a model for the amusement industry. As the Fair moved into its second century of operation, new leadership assumed command.
In , Errol W. The traditional fair season was extended from 17 to 24 days, and corporate sponsorship began to play an increasingly important role in programming. Involvement by major companies made it possible for the State Fair of Texas to offer its visitors a range of exhibits, entertainment, and services that are unmatched by any annual exposition in North America. On the final Friday of the State Fair — October 19, — a fire due to an electrical short started in the base of the beloved icon, Big Tex.
World War I caused the State Fair to be canceled in , as Fair Park was converted into a temporary army encampment. Many of the art deco buildings you see at the Fair now were first constructed in for the Texas Centennial Exposition, which attracted more than 6 million people over a six-month period. Elvis Presley performed at the Cotton Bowl in the s.
And he grew a bit after he suffered an electrical fire in — before the fire, he was 52 feet tall, and now he measures in at 55 feet. In , the fairgrounds were on 80 acres. By offering fairgoers a wide variety of entertaining, educational exhibits throughout the grounds, the State Fair of Texas also supports the individual missions of its fellow Fair Park establishments — focusing on educating visitors about Texas history and agriculture.
Thanks to the continued support of loyal fairgoers, the State Fair is able to provide a diverse assortment of educational programming for all ages. Fairgoers also have access to a number of science and nature discovery programs, Texas history exhibits, agricultural activities, Hispanic culture exhibits, and the African American Museum exhibits — one of the largest collections of African American folk art in the country.
As a longstanding Dallas institution, the State Fair of Texas has a unique appreciation for the local support that makes such a big event possible every year. By offering affordable entertainment that is both fun and family-friendly, the Fair brings a one-of-a-kind experience to the community. As part of its mission to contribute on a local and state-wide level, The Fair gives back through its partnerships with charities like the North Texas Food Bank, provides 2.
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September 30 — October 23,
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