Corn dogs, carnivals and cows
2000 State Fair begins; various activities offered as entertainment
or employment
By Christina Hager
skiff staff
Almost everyone is familiar with the old adage “everything is bigger in Texas.” It seems as if the State Fair of Texas is no exception.
The 2000 State Fair kicked off noon Friday on the corner of Main and Houston streets with a parade complete with 10 floats and several marching bands.
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Jennifer Klein/SKIFF STAFF
A carnival booth employee conducts a game at the Texas State Fair in Fair Park east of Dallas. The fair runs through Oct. 22. |
According to (www.bigtexfacts.com), the fair’s official Web site, the fair has taken place in Fair Park, just east of Dallas, since 1886.
Opening day in 1886 ushered in 14,000 people, who watched the fireworks, viewed livestock, ate fried chicken and perused the fair grounds, according to the Web site.
About 3 million people are expected at Fair Park this year.
On Saturday, Terrance White, a senior sociology major, found the grounds already crowded.
“Despite the traffic and people, it was surprising how well it was organized,” White said.
Like many others, White was drawn to the fair not only for fun, but also for work. During the Christina Aguilera concert Saturday evening, he passed out free compact discs and fliers to promote another artist.
“There was really a double incentive to go: to watch Christina and pass out CDs,” said White.
Karen Bumblis, a senior speech communications major, also attended Aguilera’s concert.
“The concert was very crowded but it was a good show,” she said.
Besides an array of musical guests including Aguilera, Destiny’s
Child and Lonestar, other attractions include acrobats diving into a see-through
tank, laser shows, a free-flight bird show and tropical butterflies.
Bumblis and White both found their favorite attraction to be the TXU Energy
Extravaganza, a laser show combining music, video, lasers and fireworks
above a 700-foot reflecting pool.
“I thought the laser show was very impressive,” Bumblis said.
Aside from the eye-dazzling special effects seen at the fair, many spectators also enjoyed petting and feeding animals.
Senior advertising/public relations major Monica de La Garza, who also worked at the fair, said she enjoyed seeing the animals at the Food and Fiber Building.
“A farmer let me play with a little pig that was 2-days-old,” she said.
Other animal attractions at the fair include canine acrobats, a famous sheepdog and livestock shows.
Another favorite for de La Garza was the Budweiser’s Oktoberfest activity center, an attraction popular for its atmosphere and beer-brewing lessons.
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Jennifer Klein/SKIFF STAFF
A young visitor to the fair feeds a goat. Some of the other animals on display are kangaroos, cows, sheep and chickens. |
Besides the many rides and animals the fair has to offer, the State
Fair also serves as an educational tool.
New attractions such as AT&T’s “Home of Tomorrow” and
Bank One’s “FutureVisions” both showcase the latest in
technology and its practical uses, according to the Web site.
Regular tickets cover most of the shows and attractions. Food, rides and drinks are purchased with coupons, in 50-cent increments.
“Friday I bought $10 in coupons and thought this will last me the next three days,” said de La Garza. “It lasted me 10 minutes.”
Bumblis said the amount of money she would have to spend would be the only drawback in attending again.
The fair runs through Oct. 22, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with some exceptions on museum hours. Tickets cost $10, and parking is a $5 to $7 based on location. Further information can be found by calling (214) 565-9931.
Christina Hager
ctinasing2000@aol.com