Celebrate the Fair Wherever You Are
Althoughwe’llmiss seeing each otherthis yearin person, wecan stillcelebrate our favorite Fair traditions in a new way – at home!The team at the State Fair of Texas has curated a collection of fun-filled virtual events celebrating Texas, downloadableFairactivitiesfor the kids, and all-new digital and video content to allow you to create new Fair traditions and celebrate your favorite aspects of the State Fair of Texasthis year.
Explore Our Fair from Home Experiences
Click on an image below to jump to that section or simply keep scrolling to explore them all!
Fair Food Fun
Taste of Texas
The Fair Online
Kid's Fair Activities
Virtual State Fair Contests
Fair Park
Fair Food Fun
One of thetopFairfavorite activities is trying all the creative and delicious concoctions our concessionaires create.This year, you can celebrate the best food at thegreatState Fair of Texas with two fun virtual activities – the BigTex Cooking School and Fair Food Madness: The Big TEx Choice Awards Championship!
Big Tex Cooking School
Keep your Fair food tradition alive this year and learn how to make your favorite fried foods using ingredients in your pantry. The Big Tex Cooking School is taught by different State Fair concessionaires who made each item famous. Join us each week as we release four episodes starting Monday, September 21.
Episode 1(available 9/21)–Funnel Cakes with Tom Grace
Episode 2(available 9/28)–Fried PB&J and Fried Pizza with AbelGonzales
Episode 3(available10/5)–FriedReese’sand Fried Bacon Burger Dog Slider on a Stick with Juan and BrentReaves
Episode 4(available10/12)–Fried Cuban Roll and Fried Pop Tart with IsaacRousso
WATCH AN EPISODE
Fair Food Madness: The Big Tex Choice Awards Championship
Ever thought that Fried Jell-O® should go head to head with Fried Butter, or the Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger should take on Fried Thanksgiving Dinner? Here is your chance to vote for your favorite Big Tex Choice Winner to be the all-time champion! The bracket will open on Tuesday, September 15. Make your voice heard and cast your vote!
CAST YOUR VOTE
Taste of Texas
Each year, the Fair celebrates all things Texan, and showcases Texas agricultural products. This year is no different – we will be celebrating Texas agriculture through the Taste of Texas virtual tasting series. The Fair has brought together experts from across the agriculture fields to showcase Texas wines, cheese, and much more. Pre-purchase the products and join the Fair for a series of virtual tastings in September and October.
Blue Ribbon Selection Tasting Series
The State Fair of Texas has worked with Texas wine experts to curate a mixed case of wines that showcase the variety, quality, and value of Texas wines. A limited quantity of mixed cases will be available for purchase and delivered directly to your house.
BUY A CASE
Use promo code BigTex for free shipping
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WINES
The Fair will host weekly virtual discussions and tastings with winemakers to discuss the Texas wine industry with three bottles from the Blue Ribbon Selection. The virtual tastings are FREE and you do not have to purchase the wine to participate. Registration for the virtual tastings will open on September 21.
Blue Ribbon Wednesday 1 (9/30)
Roundtable tasting with Rae Wilson, Owner & Winemaker, Dandy Rose and David Kuhlken, Executive Wine Maker & Owner, Pedernales
Blue Ribbon Wednesday 2 (10/7)
Roundtable tasting with Eric Sigmund, Chief Operations Officer, Reddy Vineyards, Susan Auler, Owner & Winemaker, Fall Creek, Sergio Cuadra, Winemaker, Fall Creek, and Kim McPherson, Owner, McPherson Cellars Winery
Blue Ribbon Wednesday 3 (10/14)
Roundtable tasting with Bob Young, Owner, Bending Branch, Tony Offill, Winemaker, William Chris Vineyards and Wayne Rogers, Regional Market Manager, Llano Estacado.
Blue Ribbon Wednesday 4 (10/21)
Roundtable tasting with Tommy Wellford, General Manager, Duchman, Randy Hester, Owner, CL Butaud, and Doug Lewis, Owner & Winemaker, Lewis Wines
Texas Cheese Tasting with Scardello Artisan Cheese
Join the State Fair of Texas and Scardello Artisan Cheese as we explore award-winning Texas cheeses through a series of virtual tastings. Scardello’s head monger, Rich Rogers and sommelier, Marco Villegas will guide you through eight cheeses along with some tasty accompaniments.
All you have to do is sign up for the class, pick up the selection of cheese and accompaniments the day of the class at the Scardello’s location in Dallas, and tune in at 6:00 p.m. on Facebook. Classes are $30 per person.
Texas Cheese Virtual Tasting (10/8)
Reserve Class
Texas Cheese Virtual Tasting (10/15)
Reserve Class
Beef Loving Texans virtual cooking class
Join us virtually for a Live Fire Meal with Tom and Lisa Perini, owners of the famed Perini Ranch Steak House in Gap, Texas. You’ll learn how to properly cook steak, roasted corn on the cob, grilled vegetables, sourdough bread, and even fruit!
Watch the virtual cooking class
Download the cooking class recipe cards
Recipe Cards
The Fair Online
The State Fair of Texas has curated expanded content to help bring some of the most beloved elements of the Fair to your screens. Video tours explore the grounds and the Midway, an online shopping guide lets you order your Fair purchases, and the Texas Auto Show allows you to explore the latest models from your favorite auto makers.
Online Texas Auto Show
Celebrate the highest attended auto show in the nation – virtually. Explore all the new, exciting vehicles manufacturers have to offer in 2020 and keep an eye out for exclusive dealers from local dealerships!
Visit the Auto Show
Big Tex Shopping Guide
Shopall your favorite State Fair exhibitors with our exclusive online shopping guide, designed specifically to create a unique experience where you can discover your next unique find or savings deals from the comfort of your couch! You’ll even find exclusive offers for Fair fanatics just like you.
Start Shopping
Tour the Big Tex Urban Farms
Big Tex Urban Farmsis a mobile agriculture system in the heart of Fair Parkthat provides fresh produce to the surroundingSouth Dallascommunity, which is known as a food desert. In this virtual tour,you’lllearn about hydroponic farmingandmobile agriculture – all within the Errol McKoy Greenhouse, located on the Midway.
Explore Creative Arts
See thecraftywinners of the 2020 arts and crafts contests!This tour will be revealed here and the State Fair of Texas’ YouTube channel following the announcement of the winners on Friday, September 25.
Ride the Texas Star
Take a virtual ride on the iconic Texas Star Ferris wheel. Bonus points: you can take a ride, even ifyou’re scared of heights!
Take a Ride on the Texas Star!
Ride the Top O’ Texas Tower
Explore the Dallas Skyline from 500 feet in the air with this virtual ride. Fun fact: did you know the Topo’Texas Tower is theGuinness World Recordholder for “Most Slender Tower”?
Kid’s Fair Activities
Big Tex wants to make sure even the littlest Fair fans can celebrate the Fair this year. The State Fair has created a collection of downloadable kits and activities to allow families to create Fair traditions at home. Download the kits, and let the coloring and fun begin!
Create Your Own Fair Kits
These kits include everything you need to host contests and Midway games in your living room or back yard. Cut and color your way to new Fair traditions for your family.
Create Your Own – Creative Arts Contest. Host your own Creative Arts contest for friends and family.
Download the Creative Arts Contest Kit
Create Your Own – Livestock Contest. Let your family pet – or a stuffed animal – stand in for the Grand Champion Steer and host a livestock show at home.
Download the Livestock Contest Kit
Create Your Own – Midway Game. Step right up and win a prize. Create your own Midway games at home.
Download the Midway Kit
Little Lone Stars Activity Packets
Download all six Little Lone Star Activity Packets for fun Fair-related activities, coloring sheets and fun facts about Texas, and of course, Big Tex.
Little Lone Stars
State Fair Digital Puzzles
We’ve used the theme artwork from 2015 to 2020 to create five digital puzzles that can be customized to any skill level. Try one today!
Start Putting the Pieces Together
Virtual State Fair Contests
Do you decorate the mantle to celebrate the Fair each year? Do you have the perfect photo of Texas-shaped nachos? Have you always dreamed of making a butter sculpture? The State Fair has the virtual contests for you. NEW this year, State Fair of Texas is announcing virtual Creative Arts and photography contests.
Virtual Creative Arts Contests
Create your art, snap a photo, and submit your entry for the 2020 Virtual Creative Arts Contests. From cake and cookie decorating to finger nail art and decorated masks, these contests let you express your Texas pride and passion for the Fair. Registration runs between 9/21 and 10/5. Winners will be announced on 10/9.
REGISTER TODAY
Virtual Photo Contest
To celebrate the amazing photos Fair fans posts on their social channels each year, the State Fair of Texas is introducing a NEW photo contest. Submit your favorite photos from several categories and Fair fans will vote on your favorite. Submissions may be entered September 15 through October 4. Voting takes place October 5-18. Winners announced 10/21.
MORE INFO ON THE CONTEST
Fair Park
Home of the State Fair of Texas since 1886, Fair Park is more than just the location for the State Fair each year. Fair Park is steeped in history and one of the most important collections of art deco buildings in the nation. While you can’t enjoy a funnel cake on the grounds this year, take some time to explore Fair Park and the resident organizations that call it home.
The History of Fair Park Video Series.
Explore the history and architecture of Fair Park with architect, planner, and preservationist, Willis Winters.
Watch the First Video in the Series
Watch the Second Video in the Series
Watch the Third Video in the Series (Coming Soon)
Dallas Historical Societyand the Hall of State
The Dallas Historical Society calls the Hall of State home. Discover their virtual exhibit, “Women’s Suffrage in Texas”.
Visit the Dallas Historical Society Website
African American Museum
The African American Museumis the onlymuseumof its kindin the southwestUnited Statesthat preserves and displays African American artistic, cultural, and historicalmaterials. Explore their offering ofvirtual courses.
Visit the African American Museum Website
Texas DiscoveryGardens
Say “howdy!” to some butterflies!ExploretheTexas Discovery Gardens,whichis home to many natural wonders, including theRosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House and Insectarium.
Visit the Texas Discovery Gardens Website
Dallas Summer Musicals
DSMhas been presenting and promotingexcellence in live musical theatersince 1941.Click on the button below for the revised 2020/2021 season.
Visit the Dallas Summer Musicals Website
WRR 101.1 FM
WRR is a radio station that broadcasts 24 hours of classical music a day.WRR was the first licensed broadcast station in Texas andis currently the second oldest operating radio station in the United States.Learn more about WRR’s historyhere.
