Officials from the State Fair of Texas revealed last week that this year’s theme will pay tribute to the fair’s most iconic attractions through its featured art and decor.
“Explore the Midway” will include a commemorative poster and other merchandise depicting the historic neon Midway arch, the Texas Star Ferris Wheel, and Big Tex eating a corndog while sitting atop a carousel horse.
The commemorative designs are meant to highlight how the Midway is a “place where everyone can choose their own adventure,” according to a State Fair of Texas news release.
The Midway has over 70 rides and countless games to keep fairgoers entertained for hours. Children can find age-appropriate rides and games while older fairgoers can get their thrills on Sparklett’s Log Flume.
Fairgoers can see panoramic views of Fair Park from the Top o’ Texas Tower, which stands at over 500 feet, and the Texas SkyWay, which has an aerial track spanning 1,800 feet.
The announcement of this year’s theme comes amid considerable anticipation for the fair season.
State Fair of Texas President Mitchell Glieber explained that rather than just being nostalgic, the 2023 “Explore the Midway” theme is meant to create new memories as well.
“Whether you’re competing against your daughter in the ladder game, doing a scavenger hunt with your coworkers, riding the Texas Skyway gondola with your grandson, sharing cotton candy with a first date, or joyfully screaming on the pirate ship with your whole family, fun is the common denominator all fairgoers come out to enjoy on the Midway year after year,” said Glieber, per the news release.
Fairgoers will also get a glimpse of Big Tex’s newly designed boots.
As The Dallas Express reported, 23-year-old Jessica Bonilla of Irving won a contest earlier this year that will see Big Tex getting a brand-new pair of boots by Lucchese Bootmaker. The design features sunsets, cacti, butterflies, and other Texas critters.
The State Fair of Texas site is also slated to get an upgrade.
Dallas City Council voted on May 10 to allocate $4.2 million of taxpayer funds to restoring and rehabilitating the Fair Park Tower.
Running over 24 consecutive days, the State Fair of Texas is the longest in the nation and has been a fairgoer favorite since it began in 1886.
As The Dallas Express previously reported, attendance logged during last year’s installment beat out all other state fairs across the country. Over 2.5 million visitors came to the fair, representing a bump of 15.65% compared to the year before.
The State Fair of Texas will be held from September 29 to October 22.