As the 2019 State Fair of Texas comes to a close, it’s clear that this year was one to remember. For the 133^rd year, the annual event brought people from all walks of life together – from iconic State Fair traditions to new innovative additions, fairgoers alike enjoyed their visit to the State Fair. As an annual celebration of all things Texan, the tradition continued with the Fair’s 2019 theme, “Celebrating Texas Creativity.” The 2019 State Fair of Texas welcomed more than 2.5 million people through the gates (at the time of this release). 

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Fair aims to support the community, both locally and statewide. The net proceeds from the Fair are used to preserve and improve Fair Park; underwrite museums, community initiatives, and scholarship programs to support students throughout the Lone Star State pursuing higher education; and help improve State Fair operations. A successful 24-day run for the Fair means more support for Fair Park and the surrounding community.

“We are grateful to continue the great tradition of celebrating all things Texan while bringing friends and family throughout the state, nation, and world together to create lifelong memories,” said Mitchell Glieber, State Fair of Texas president. “As the 2019 exhibition comes to a close, we thank everyone who helped make this year’s Fair a success, enabling us to give back to Fair Park, the surrounding communities, and award college scholarships to students from throughout the Lone Star State.”

Serving as our largest fundraiser of the year, the 2019 State Fair of Texas proved to make a difference in more ways than we can count. Below are just a few of the noteworthy successes from this year’s exhibition:

• At the time of this release, the Fair welcomed more than 2.5 million fairgoers through the gates
• More than 200,000 dots were used on this year’s VisitDallas map located at the Contain Your Self(ie) exhibit for fairgoers to proudly showcase where they are from. Dots were scattered across all 50 United States of America and 191 of 195 countries from around the world were represented with at least one dot
• Military Appreciation Day provided free admission for more than 9,600 members of the military and their families
• More than 5,600 first responders and their families visited the Fair for free on First Responder’s Day – a 24% increase from last year
• More than 2.29 million free admission tickets were given to students and teachers throughout North Texas
• In line with this year’s theme, “Celebrating Texas Creativity,” community members got crafty with more than 10,500 entries in the Fair’s Creative Arts competitions. With more than 4,000 contestants, over 1,900 newcomers tried their hand in entering Creative Arts competitions
• During the inaugural year of the Lone Star Music Series, more than 45 Texas music artists performed throughout the grounds
• With more than 11,000 exhibitors, the Fair’s livestock and agricultural events hosted a total of more than 15,000 livestock entries
• On Friday, October 4, the 71^st Annual Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction raised a record of more than $1.56 million for youth livestock exhibitors
• The Grand Champion Market Steer of the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction was sold to the Big Tex Champion Club, led by an anonymous donor, for a record high of $155,000
• Ag Awareness Day gathered more than 7,900 students and leaders representing 165 chapters of 4-H, FFA, and FCCLA to participate in the canned food drive, donating more than 30,000 pounds of food to the North Texas Food Bank
• More than 650 people were involved in several community events sponsored by the community affairs team of the State Fair of Texas, which were held throughout the 24-day run
• The Fair hosted the Second Annual Juanita Craft Humanitarian Awards, awarding seven individuals following in Mrs. Craft’s footsteps, making a positive impact in their community and in civil rights efforts
• So far in 2019, Big Tex Urban Farms has donated more than 17,200 pounds of fresh produce. This equates to 180,000 servings of fresh produce donated to the South Dallas/Fair Park community. During the Fair alone, the Farms have donated 1,174 pounds – equal to 17,000 servings
• The Livestock Birthing Barn celebrated 81 animal births throughout the run of the Fair – 32 pigs, 10 kids (goats), 26 lambs, and 13 calves
• The State Fair of Texas invested more than $2.6 million in partnership with the City of Dallas, Fair Park First, and Spectra for new features at Cotton Bowl Stadium, increasing the quality of the game experience for more than 156,000 guests in attendance for the State Fair Classic, AT&T Red River Showdown, and State Fair Showdown
• The Fair-funded, newly restored Texas Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial had more than 17,000 flags placed on the memorial’s panels to honor those Texas veterans who sacrificed their lives during the Vietnam War.
• Free concerts were once again held on the Chevrolet Main Stage, with Daughtry, Big & Rich with special guest Cowboy Troy, Rick Springfield, La Maquinaria Norteña, 98 Degrees, and Billy Ray Cyrus drawing the largest crowds
• For the first time, the Chevrolet Main Stage hosted “Tejano Music Thursdays,” featuring Raulito Navaira y Remedio, Jorge Moreno, and Joe B Project IV.
• Fifty-two events were hosted at the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center throughout the Fair’s 24-day run
• With approximately 90% of fairgoers visiting the Auto Show, the 2019 Texas Auto Show attracted more than 2.25 million fairgoers throughout the 24-day run.
• More than 10,000 guests visited the Kinsey African American Art & History Collection, located at the African American Museum in Fair Park
• In 2019, the Fair awarded nearly $1.25 million in new college scholarships to more than 200 students throughout the Lone Star State
• Twenty-five dogs found their forever homes at Bark in Fair Park, sponsored by DFW Rescue Me
• With college applications right around the corner, the Fair encourages eligible high school seniors and seasonal employees to go online to BigTex.com/scholarship and apply now for a 2020 Big Tex college scholarship
• The State Fair of Texas has partnered with Goodwill Industries of Dallas, Inc. to host the Fourth Annual Big Tex Job Fair on Friday, October 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center. More than 35 local companies will be taking applications and interviewing for employment positions across a broad range of skill sets. A list of participating organizations and additional details can be found at BigTex.com/JobFair

A Texas-sized thank you to each person who came out to celebrate all things Texan during the 2019 State Fair of Texas. The 2020 State Fair of Texas will run from Friday, September 25 through Sunday, October 18 in Fair Park. Big Tex and everyone at the Fair will be eagerly waiting to welcome y’all back next year!

About the State Fair of Texas
Since its inception in 1886, the State Fair of Texas has celebrated all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment. The State Fair of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with proceeds helping to preserve and improve our home, Fair Park; underwrite museums, community initiatives, and scholarship programs to support students throughout the Lone Star State pursuing higher education; and help improve State Fair operations. The 2020 exposition runs September 25 through October 18 in Fair Park. Visit BigTex.com for more information.

Karissa Condoianis
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, PUBLIC RELATIONS • P.O. BOX 150009, DALLAS, TEXAS 75315 • C: 214.289.3318

About the State Fair of Texas
Since its inception in 1886, the State Fair of Texas has celebrated all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment. The State Fair of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with proceeds helping to preserve and improve our home, Fair Park; underwrite museums, community initiatives, and scholarship programs to support students throughout the Lone Star State pursuing higher education; and help improve State Fair operations. The 2019 exposition runs September 27 through October 20 in Fair Park. Visit BigTex.com for more information.

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