I have some experience with fairs, having been to several in the Land of Fruits and Nuts. County Fairs are a celebration of local culture, ranging from corny (Angels Camp) to high-tech (Pleasanton). The State Fair in Sacramento is a BIG DEAL, like merging the county fair with a Six Flags park. Now, in Free America, I've heard that the fair in Dallas is just as big a deal as the fair in Sacramento.
Then we have the South Texas State Fair.
With over 200 counties, I guess Texas thought it's better to have regional fairs combining several counties instead of over 200 county fairs. I mean, do you expect a fair in Loving County, population 70?
The South Texas State Fair has the feel of a county fair:
* Midway: Bigger, nicer, and safer than a typical county fair. The rides are portable, but are better maintained than others, including that one in Ohio that resulted in one death when it malfunctioned. Rides are $3-5, or all you can ride for $40, and the girl got her money's worth with the $40 wristband.
* Food: Walking through the outside booths, they're nearly all food. Typical offerings (cheeseburgers, tacos, brisket, funnel cakes), lots of repeats, high prices with semi-low quality. But you can't get a fried Oreo anywhere else.
* Concerts: The Alameda County Fair, with its large permanent amphitheater, is an aberration. Most have a temporary stage, and so does the South Texas State Fair. Many national acts started in this part of the country - the Big Bopper, George Jones, Janis Joplin, Tracy Byrd, Micah Tyler - but this fair showcases up-and-comers. Country music is obviously big here. Even if you never heard of the act, you're in for a good show.
Exhibits: Local stuff, the type that you'd expect to find in the county fair.
I admit, I had the song "Our state fair is the best state fair..." going through my mind. I guess it depends on what your expectations are. If you're looking for a typical experience, cotton candy and all, with a Lone Star flair, then you're gonna love the South Texas State Fair at Ford Park. Be warned: you won't be the only one. As the night goes on, the crowd gets BIG. We got there 45 minutes after the gate opened on a Friday, and by 7pm, the lines in the Midway were already at least half an hour long per ride.
It's a good one. read more