THE BALLOON MAN

 

State Fair of Texas festivities in full swing
by Nadia Hill of North Texas Daily
from:  pegasusnews.com
Oct 8, 2012
FAIR PARK — The swings were shut down, the tables were deserted and lonely game booth managers occupied the Midway. But inside the exhibition halls, thousands of poncho-clad, smiling patrons chattered loudly amid the token smell of fried foods.

The 2012 State Fair of Texas opened on the drizzly morning of September 28 and faced a chilly downpour the next day, but dedicated crowds still packed the vendor booths and food stands.

“Rain or shine, we’re out here,” fairgoer Donna Partain said. “We’ve been coming here for 35 years, and this is the only weekend we could do it. We had to get a corn dog.”

This year’s fair marks Big Tex’s 60th anniversary, and the “Big and Bright” themed party will continue until October 21. Big Tex is the 52-foot cowboy statue originally purchased for $750, whose booming voice greets and informs fairgoers each day. He was posted up in his traditional spot on the fairgrounds four days before opening day.

“The installation signals to all of us that the Texas State Fair is just around the corner,” said Sue Gooding, vice president of public and community relations for the fair. “It’s a great, world-class exhibit.”

The fair attracts more than 3 million people annually who spend nearly $360 million on gate tickets, ride coupons, and food coupons, all of which goes back to the Dallas economy, Gooding said.
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http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2012/oct/08/state-fair-texas-festivities-full-swing-2012/