State Fair

Annual Texas tradition kicks off today in Dallas

The State Fair of Texas is one of the largest such events in the United States. About 3 million people attend the fair each year. And it’s estimated they add anywhere from $350 million to $400 million to the state’s economy.

This year, the fair will kick off today and will run through Oct. 20. With any luck, temperatures will be cool and the clouds will cooperate.

Held in Dallas’ Fair Park, the art deco masterpiece built for the Texas Centennial celebration in 1936, the fair boasts the nation’s tallest Ferris wheel, a large midway, an impressive auto show, livestock shows, a nightly parade and light show, the annual Texas and Oklahoma college football game and dozens of exhibits, attractions and vendors.

Also this year is the debut of rebuilt and refinished Big Tex, the fair’s iconic mascot that was destroyed in a fire last year. In recent years, the fair has also become known—or notorious, depending on your point of view—for the annual competition among food vendors to create the most decadent fried treat.

Over the years, vendors have come up with a wide variety of foods to dip in the fryer. Hostess Twinkies, peanut butter, jelly and banana sandwiches, Oreo cookies, cheesecake and even Coca-Cola are among the foods that have been battered and dipped in hot oil.

A couple of years ago, it was all about deep-fried bubble gum—bubble-gum-flavored marshmallow battered and fried, served with icing. And then there was that standout item, deep-fried butter—which is exactly what it sounds like. Also featured at fairs gone by were deep-fried S’mores Pop-Tarts, fried Frito pie, fried lemonade, fried salad and Texas fried caviar. And a couple of special treats: deep-fried beer—a fried ravioli with beer in the center—and deep-fried frozen margaritas—a funnel cake mixed with tequila and margarita mix, fried up and served in a glass rimmed with salt.

This year, fairgoers can choose between such items as deep-fried Thanksgiving dinner—stuffing, turkey and creamed corn, battered, fried and served with gravy—Southern-style, chicken-fried meatloaf, deepfried King Ranch casserole and deep-fried shrimp and grits.

Desserts include golden fried millionaire pie, deepfried Nutella and a fried chocolate chip burrito.

And for the more adventurous, you can get a “spicy Spam burrito” —an empanada stuffed with shredded Spam, potatoes, bacon, cheese, onions, peppers and more.

The winner of the Big Tex “Best Taste” Award among the new entries was the deep-fried Cuban roll—pork shoulder, ham and Swiss cheese battered and cooked in the hot grease.

To some, this will sound like a slippery slope to a triple bypass, but to others it’s the closest thing to heaven on earth.

But just be glad the fair only comes around once a year.