THE BALLOON MAN

Your guide to the South Texas State Fair


 

Photo taken Monday, March 20, 2012 Guiseppe Barranco/The Enterprise
 Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER / The Beaumont Enterprise

By Julie Chang
from: beaumontenterprise.com
Thursday, March 22, 2012


Following the 5:30 opening ceremony, the South Texas State Fair opens its doors today at 6 p.m. today. 
Photo taken Monday, March 20, 2012 Guiseppe Barranco/The Enterprise
 Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER / The Beaumont Enterprise
There is nothing more Texan than chowing down on a hunk of fried something while watching cowboys risk their lives for some cash.

All that can be found at one place the next week and a half: the 69th annual South Texas State Fair at Ford Park.

"We're looking for a great fair this year with free parking," said Mark McAdams, president of the Young Men's Business League (YMBL). "We have anywhere from 300,000 to 500,000 (visitors) over the 11 days."


 

The fair generates money for the YMBL, which gives back to the community through scholarships and grants.

The league attends the Texas Association of Fairs and Events annual conference to keep

abreast of latest trends including new foods and marketing techniques like the use of social media.

McAdams said that exiting Ford Park should run more smoothly than previous years under the direction of the Beaumont Police Department.

There will also be five entrances to fairgrounds off of the IH-10 east feeder road.

Besides the ease of parking and new fair foods, much of the same will be available this year including its 25-acre fair, featuring carnival rides that have been split into two areas - one for adults and the other for kids.

A couple rides that will be hard to miss are the Ferris Wheel and the vomit-worthy roller coaster called The Mouse.

"We're trying to make it better for those who come out and support our event," said Clayton Bond, chairman of the fair's exhibits and concessions division.


Read more: http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/entertainment/article/Your-guide-to-the-South-Texas-State-Fair-3426830.php#ixzz1pwLj7cQR