Big Tex

```mediawiki Big Tex is a 55-foot-tall cowboy statue located at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. Serving as a symbol of both the State Fair of Texas and the city itself, Big Tex has undergone several iterations since his original construction in 1952, becoming a recognizable fixture for generations of Texans. His presence dominates the Fair Park skyline during the annual State Fair, and he represents a significant part of the region's cultural identity.

History

Origins

The origins of Big Tex trace back not to Dallas, but to the small town of Kerens, Texas, where a 49-foot figure was originally constructed in 1949 as a giant Santa Claus to draw shoppers to the town during the Christmas season. The figure was built by the Kerens Chamber of Commerce and stood on the town square. When the novelty wore off and the town had no further use for it, the State Fair of Texas purchased the structure in 1951 for $750 and transported it to Fair Park in Dallas.^[1]

Jack Bridges, a Dallas artist hired by the State Fair, redesigned the figure as a cowboy. Bridges replaced the Santa costume with a cowboy hat, jeans, and boots, and remodeled the face to reflect a weathered, friendly Western character. The statue was enlarged slightly and debuted at the 1952 State Fair of Texas, where he quickly became the fair's most recognizable symbol. His distinctive greeting — a booming "Howdy, folks!" broadcast over a public address system — became one of the fair's defining traditions.^[2]

Modifications and growth

After his successful debut, Big Tex became a permanent fixture at Fair Park. Over the following decades he underwent several modifications. His cowboy hat was upgraded to a larger model — eventually reaching a size equivalent to a 95-gallon hat — and his boots grew to a size 70. His outfit was periodically refreshed, and the voice system was improved over time to greet visitors with announcements and seasonal messages. The original statue stood at Fair Park for 60 years, becoming increasingly central to the identity of both the State Fair and Dallas itself.^[3]

The 2012 fire

On October 19, 2012, Big Tex caught fire and burned to destruction. The blaze broke out mid-morning while the State Fair was open, and witnesses reported seeing smoke and flames erupting from within the statue's torso before the structure collapsed. Investigators determined the cause to be an electrical short within the wiring inside the frame. The fire drew widespread media coverage and an outpouring of reaction from Texans across the state — within hours, "#BigTex" was trending nationally on social media, and public mourning was immediate and genuine. The State Fair of Texas confirmed that same day it would rebuild the statue.^[4]

Reconstruction

The State Fair of Texas moved quickly on the rebuild. The new Big Tex, constructed using a steel armature covered in a sculpted fiberglass shell rather than fabric, was completed in time for the 2013 State Fair. The rebuilt statue stands 55 feet tall — slightly taller than the original — and incorporates updated electrical systems and modern fire suppression features to prevent a repeat of the 2012 incident. The face was re-sculpted by the same team that had maintained the original, preserving the familiar friendly expression that fairgoers recognized. The new Big Tex retains his cowboy hat, bandana, boots, and characteristic wave.^[5]

Boot Design Contest

In recent years, the State Fair of Texas introduced the Big Tex Boot Design Contest, inviting artists and designers to submit original artwork to be featured on Big Tex's iconic boots. The contest has generated significant community engagement, with hundreds of entries submitted each cycle. In 2025, a winning design was selected from more than 400 submissions to outfit Big Tex with new boots for that year's fair season.^[6] For the 2026 contest, a Dallas native claimed the top prize, continuing the tradition of local artistic talent leaving a mark on Texas's most recognizable statue.^[7]

Geography

Big Tex is permanently located within Fair Park, a 277-acre art deco complex in the South Dallas neighborhood of Dallas. The park's primary address is 1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd, Dallas, TX 75210. Big Tex stands near the park's main entrance on Coliseum Boulevard, placing him in a position visible from multiple points within the grounds and from the surrounding streets. The park sits near several major thoroughfares, including Interstate 30 and US Highway 80, making it reachable from most parts of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.

The surrounding neighborhood has shifted considerably over the decades, transitioning from a primarily residential area to a mix of institutional, light commercial, and residential uses. Fair Park itself was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986, recognized for its collection of Art Deco exposition buildings constructed for the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition. That architectural context — long colonnades, WPA-era murals, and grand exhibition halls — frames Big Tex's presence and gives the site a historical weight that extends well beyond the annual fair.^[8]

Culture

Big Tex has become deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of Dallas and Texas. He represents the state's heritage, particularly its cowboy traditions and agricultural roots. The State Fair of Texas, where Big Tex presides, is a celebration of Texan culture, featuring livestock shows, musical performances, culinary competitions, and agricultural exhibits. Big Tex functions as the fair's visual anchor, welcoming visitors from a height visible across most of the park.

The statue's image appears widely in marketing materials for the State Fair and for the city of Dallas — on souvenirs, posters, apparel, and promotional campaigns. He has also appeared in paintings, commercial photography, and editorial illustration. Local media regularly references Big Tex as cultural shorthand for the fair season, and his annual return (or, in the case of 2012, his loss and return) draws genuine public attention. The annual "Big Tex Choice Awards" at the State Fair recognize the most inventive new fair foods each year, further embedding his name in the fair's ongoing story.

The Boot Design Contest is one example of how the State Fair has broadened Big Tex's cultural role beyond passive symbol. By inviting public participation in his appearance, the fair has made him a living part of the community rather than a static monument — and the contest has consistently surfaced new Texas talent in the process.

Visiting Fair Park and the State Fair

Fair Park is open year-round, though Big Tex himself is only on display during the State Fair of Texas, which runs annually for approximately 24 days beginning in late September and ending in mid-October. General admission to the State Fair was priced at $29 for adults as of the 2025 season, with discounted rates available for children and seniors. The fair has historically served as one of the more accessible large-scale public events in North Texas, though pricing increases in recent years have drawn comment from longtime attendees about affordability.^[9]

Food is a central part of the fair experience. Staples include the Fletcher's Original Corny Dog, which has been sold at the fair since 1942 and remains one of its most enduring traditions. More affordable options — including hot dogs and bottled water — are available throughout the grounds from various vendors.

Fair Park is accessible by car via Interstate 30, with exits at Coliseum Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Parking is available on-site, though it fills quickly during peak State Fair weekends. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Green Line stops directly at Fair Park Station, which is within easy walking distance of the main entrance and Big Tex's location. DART bus routes also serve the surrounding streets. Ride-share drop-off is permitted near the park's entrances, and the State Fair typically coordinates shuttle service from remote parking locations during its run.^[10]

Attractions

While Big Tex is the fair's most visible symbol, Fair Park itself contains a concentration of museums and cultural institutions that operate year-round. The African American Museum of Dallas, the Women's Museum, the Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park, and the Hall of State are all located within the park's boundaries. The Cotton Bowl stadium, also on the grounds, hosts college football games and other large events throughout the year.

During the State Fair, the park hosts livestock and equestrian competitions, agricultural exhibits, carnival midway rides, live music across multiple stages, and the Big Tex Choice Awards competition for new fried foods. The fair draws more than two million visitors in a typical year, making it one of the largest state fairs in the United States.^[11] Big Tex stands at the center of this activity — his greeting plays on a loop through speakers embedded in his frame, and the area around his base serves as one of the park's primary gathering and photography spots throughout the fair's run.