The gates of the State Fair of Texas officially opened Friday morning — kicking off the annual North Texas tradition of indulging in calorie-dense food, dizzying rides and games.
This year's 24-day run will have a patriotic twist with its theme: "Stars, Stripes, and Howdies." It honors the 250th birthday of the United States and the 140th anniversary of the state fair.
The fair is also aiming to be cheaper this year in response to backlash last year over prices.
Admission and parking prices:
- Tickets for adults (ages 13-59) will be $15 on weekdays and $25 on weekends.
- Admission for children (ages 3-12) is a flat rate of $10 every day.
- Kids 2 and under are free.
- Admission is $10 for everyone after 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
- Parking at the fair will be $20 — $5 cheaper than last year.
Live Music
The revamped Fair Park Coliseum will host live music this year. Here's what to expect.
Opening Weekend:
Fri, Sept 25, 7:45 p.m. – Clint Black
- Sat, Sept 26, 3:30 p.m. – Steve Ray Ladson, Pynk Beard, The Boykinz
- Sat, Sept 26, 8:45 p.m. – Jaydon
- Sun, Sept 27, 6:15 p.m. – Geru y Su Legión 7
- Sun, Sept 27, 7:45 p.m. – La Alianza Norteña
Second Weekend:
- Fri, Oct 2, 7:45 p.m. – Josh Weathers
- Sat, Oct 3, 7:45 p.m. – The Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular
- Sun, Oct 4, 7:45 p.m. – Kansas
Third Weekend:
- Fri, Oct 9, 7:45 p.m. – Two Friends
- Sat, Oct 10, 7:30 p.m. – Paul Wall Fall Ball
- Sun, Oct 11, 4:45 p.m. – Deep Blue Something
- Sun, Oct 11, 6:15 p.m. – Tripping Daisy
- Sun, Oct 11, 7:45 p.m. – Toadies
Closing Weekend:
- Fri, Oct 16, 7:45 p.m. – Muscadine Bloodline
- Sat, Oct 17, 6 p.m. – Gym Class Heroes
- Sat, Oct 17, 7:45 p.m. – 30H!3
- Sun, Oct. 18, 4 p.m. – The Last Bandoleros
30 new foods
Here is a sample of some of the new foods that will be featured at the fair this year.
- 3D fruit ice creamMango or peach ice cream dipped in a thin chocolate shell shaped like a peach or mango. Located at Yumi Ice Cream throughout the Fairgrounds.
- All shook upA banana pudding ice cream and peanut butter milkshake topped with a peanut butter cookie, bacon, caramel, whipped cream and a cherry. Located at Highland Park Soda Fountain in the Tower Building
- Candy watermelon A giant watermelon slice is wrapped in six feet of Fruit by the Foot, dipped in sour Chamoy, and topped with a heavy sprinkle of Tajín. Located at Chamoy Treats on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
- Fried butter chickenFried chicken potstickers tossed in butter chicken sauce and served over basmati rice. Located at Naan Better on Grand Ave.
- Spicy carbonara ramen Korean corndogA Korean corn dog wrapped in ramen noodles and finished off with a drizzle of Buldak Ramen Carbonara sauce and cheese powder. Located at Korean Corn Dogs by the Coliseum.
- Fried green tomato lobster bruschettaA unique take on a bruschetta salad. Fried green tomatoes topped with lobster salad, chopped tomato, and balsamic glaze. Located at Lobster Lounge on Grand Ave.
- Butter-dipped toffee crunch nuttyNevins Ice Cream Nutty Bar gets a makeover with toffee pieces and peanuts and is finished off with a caramel drizzle and Ritz crackers. Located at Nevins Nutty Bar on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd and Nevins Ice Cream on Nimitz Drive
Dylan Duke is KERA's breaking news reporter. Got a tip? Email Dylan at dduke@kera.org.
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