By Tricia White

The 24-day, four-weekend extravaganza that is the State Fair of Texas is almost here! The great thing about the fair is its predictable greatness, from the free concerts to the nightly fireworks to the oodles of fried food. And, of course the shopping. 

The annual State Fair of Texas is made up of a wide variety of small businesses that sell anything from soup and drink mixes to cowboy boots and earrings. From September 27 – October 20, eager fairgoers can meander the shopping marketplaces that are filled with a little bit of everything at the Most Texan Place on Earth.

And, this year there are 20 brand-new shopping vendors who will be joining the 166 returning vendors.

Here’s your sneak peak:

AJ Collectibles 

Are you looking for a unique, custom keychain or some custom earrings? Make your way to AJ Collectibles! This family-owned business from Florida specializes in custom minifigures that you can build yourself or transform into keychains, earrings, or display pieces. From Elvis Presley and anime to Star Wars and Batman, you’ll find a world of options for every age group. Their newest creations include retractable lightsabers, headset holders, and holiday mystery tins. Explore all their offerings in the Craft Pavilion during the Fair. 

Big Bully Turf 

Big Bully Turf is excited to offer a fresh approach to outdoor spaces in Dallas. With the intense Texas heat, maintaining a green lawn can be a challenge, but their artificial turf makes it easy. Led by founder and president, Carla Arzubiaga, this family-driven and women-owned company prioritizes honesty and customer satisfaction in everything they do. Their mission is to make the turf-buying process simple for all. Big Bully Turf is clean, easy to maintain, and safe for both your kids and pets. Visit Big Bully Turf in Chevy Park Plaza during the Fair. 

Cowgirls & City Chics 

Cowgirls & City Chics, based in Temple, TX, is a women-owned business specializing in metal signs, accessories, and clothing. Traveling from Fort Worth, Houston, and Las Vegas, they’re excited to join us here at the State Fair of Texas to fulfill all your retail therapy needs. Visit this boutique in the Craft Pavilion during the Fair. 

Crystalize Home 

Looking for a special gift? Designer Annken Fitzhugh and her husband, Walter, are excited to share their passion for crystals with you! They handcraft each themed ornament using multifunctional magnetic crystals. These versatile ornaments are perfect for any occasion — birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and more. With a variety of designs and themes, you are sure to find the perfect piece to suit your needs. Visit Crystalize Home in the Embarcadero Building during the Fair. 

Pawl’s K-9ery 

This vendor is bringing the State Fair of Texas to your fur babies at home! Founded by a mom and son duo, this pet bakery’s story began when they met Daisy, a sassy lab/pit mix, who wandered into their garage one September morning. Pawl’s K-9ery offers a variety of treats, cakes, and even pan dulce for both dogs and cats, providing goodies for every occasion. Make sure to stop by and get your fur baby a State Fair of Texas gift. Find this vendor in the Gateway Pavilion during the Fair.   

Designer Palms 

Designer Palms started as a love story and has blossomed into a loving 20-year family tradition. Founder Wendell Turner wanted to create a special anniversary gift for his wife, Helen since palm trees remind her of home. Each Designer Palms trunk is handcrafted, specializing in life-size metal sculptures. With three shapes and a variety of accessories, your custom palm tree is sure to be a showstopper. Don’t miss the chance to grab your piece of paradise. Visit Designer Palms in the Embarcadero Building during the Fair. 

Florida’s Best 

Florida’s Best is bringing their award-winning pain relief and skin care products to Texas! James Toler, a Florida naturalist, founded this family-owned and operated business in 1978, crafting each product on his extensive study of the healing and moisturizing properties of essential oils. Their commitment to quality and the development of all-natural products has established them as an industry leader. Proud to know that millions of satisfied customers worldwide use their products, they are excited to welcome you into the family. Visit Florida’s Best in the Embarcadero Building throughout the Fair. 

Glass House Glassware 

Drinking with sharks is a new bucket list item this year at the State Fair of Texas. Glass House Glassware, creators of The Shark Wine Glass, was founded in 2015 after a memorable dive in the Cayman Islands with a nurse shark named Fin. The sparkling, handcrafted, lead-free crystal wine glasses are designed to withstand multiple encounters with enthusiastic drinkers. If sharks aren’t your thing, come visit Glass House Glassware at the Embarcadero during the Fair to dive into all their different crystal wine glass creations. 

Iron Oak Apparel 

Welcome Iron Oak Apparel, where refined grit meets rugged elegance. Founded by four visionaries – Keith Kruse, Marc Novick, Beau Daniels, and Tanner Carson, this brand emerged from a shared passion for golf and a love for the rugged country lifestyle. As the creators of the original pearl snap polo, Iron Oak Apparel offers designs that embody bold spirit and sophistication for every occasion. Their polos and curated collections blend innovation with timeless style, perfect for those who seek both performance and elegance. Bringing rustic flair to the country club, shopping with Iron Oak is a journey through the heart of Texas fashion. Saddle up and discover the essence of Western luxury at Iron Oak Apparel in the Embarcadero Building during the Fair. 

Kosmic Tea 

Kosmic Tea has all your health needs covered at this year’s Fair! Founded by Krishna Shorty, an ambitious tea aficionado, the brand was created to offer distinctive loose-leaf teas that deliver rich flavors and holistic benefits. After being diagnosed with hypothyroidism, Krishna’s journey with loose-leaf tea helped her thyroid heal. Her unwavering passion for tea and deep knowledge of diverse blends makes her excited to welcome you to the State Fair of Texas. Find this vendor in the Gateway Pavilion during the Fair. 

Leabrig  Leabrig, a standout umbrella brand known for its one-of-a-kind designs, is set to bring its collection of beautiful and functional umbrellas to the 2024 State Fair of Texas! Founded by Mireille Trevare, the company grew from humble beginnings at street fairs in Los Angeles to now taking the stage at one of the biggest fairs in the country. Leabrig’s umbrella collection is unlike any other, featuring stunning, rare, or one-of-a-kind, handcrafted umbrella and parasol designs decorated with crystals, flowers, feathers, and unique shapes. They are also fully functional statement pieces and certainly never fail to put a smile on someone’s face! Leabrig is an anagram of Mireille’s late son, Gabriel, who passed away 15 years ago. Leabrig honors Gabriel’s memory and brings joy to others. Fairgoers will see the full range of Mireille’s umbrellas at the Craft Pavillion. 

My Aloha Pearl  

My Aloha Pearl is excited to bring authentic Japanese Akoya Pearl Oysters and Hawaiian jewelry to all fairgoers. What started as a team that traveled to fairs to share and inspire the love of pearl jewelry has led to a team that focuses on building relationships with customers and delivering promises of high-quality, genuine, and personalized pearl jewelry at every fair they participate in. Customers get to choose their own oyster, then the team will shuck the Japanese Akoya oysters to extract the pearl. The mystery of this small token is what color, what size, and how many pearls you might get. Customers then get to choose from a vast variety of jewelry selections of settings and mountings. Each of these pieces is uniquely made and crafted with perfect detail. On top of their main attraction, they will have a mass selection of Hawaiian jewelry to choose from. Find My Aloha Pearl in the Craft Pavilion during the Fair. 

My Little Sweetie  

My Little Sweetie is here for all your customizable kids’ bag needs, offering one-of-a-kind accessories to make your little one feel special! Ranging from large or small PU leather crossbodies and EVA handbags to fluffy backpacks, each bag is customizable for your specific style! Put your child’s name on the bag and choose from a variety of cute add-ons, such as chains, flowers, bows, crowns, and so much more. This unique bag will perfectly describe your child and will be a keepsake for years to come. Founders Lara and Richard have brought many smiles to kids over the years, and they look forward to continuing these efforts at this year’s State Fair of Texas! Find this vendor at the Gateway Pavilion. 

New London Enterprises  

Looking for a unique companion to take home from the Fair? Enter the world of 3D-printed magic at New London Enterprises, where each creation is more than just a toy—it’s an adventure waiting to unfold! Specializing in intricately articulated figures, including their fan-favorite dragons, every piece is carefully designed to spark imagination and play. With their “Adopt a Dragon” experience, you can give one of these charming creatures a forever home, complete with adoption papers to make it official. Whether you’re a collector, a fantasy lover, or just looking for a memorable keepsake, stop by their booth in the Craft Pavilion and bring home something truly special! 

Norwex  Cleaning your home involves more than just removing dirt and grime, it’s about making sure that harmful chemicals never touch anything your family touches. Instead of relying on chemicals, Norwex harnesses the physical power of their densely woven microfiber and water alone to easily and thoroughly clean any surface! Eliminate all those single-use disposables like paper towels, floor pads, and wipes. Norwex’s cloths contain micro silver, an anti-microbial agent that protects the cloth by inhibiting odor, which means it’s ready to use again and again and will save you hundreds of dollars yearly! While they’re famous for their window cloth, a game changer for cleaning windshields, windows, stainless steel, and mirrors, they also carry dust mitts, towels, car drying cloths, and their Superior Mop for wood and vinyl flooring, bath towels, kitchen cloth, towels, etc. Norwex is the FUTURE of cleaning! Find Norwex at Grand Place during the Fair. 

Origami by Kannika 

Kannika Brueske, founder of Origami by Kannika, makes origami earrings, jewelry, art, pendants, and handcrafted items to brighten your day. One of her favorite pieces to create in her wide variety of items is the crane. The crane is significant to many Asian cultures and is referred to as the “bird of happiness.” The crane is thought to represent good fortune and longevity, and its wings are believed to provide protection. Kannika incorporates the crane and many other origami designs into her artwork. Take a few minutes to appreciate the symbolism of Kannika’s art and find her booth in the Craft Pavilion during the Fair. 

Robyn’s Book Nook – PaperPie  

Robyn’s Book Nook proudly brings PaperPie (formerly Usborne) books, games, toys, and hands-on learning to the 2024 State Fair of Texas! A family-run business, Robyn’s Book Nook partners with local Texas organizations, nonprofits, and schools to bring books and learning resources to the community. They’ll have everything you need to keep those little hands busy and those growing minds learning. Check out books for strollers, on-the-go activities, and even Tiny! kits for miniaturized fun. Love the kids in your life and help them grow a love of learning at any age. Find Robyn’s Book Nook in the Embarcadero during the Fair. 

ShowMe Nails  

ShowMe Nails is making their debut this year and stands out by providing trendsetting nail designs that are not only fashionable but also durable and versatile. Their press-on nails are waterproof and can last over a month, perfect for any lifestyle – from rock climbing enthusiasts to spa-goers. By offering a natural, damage-free alternative to traditional nail enhancements, ShowMe caters to those seeking short-term style for special events or long-lasting beauty for a fraction of normal salon pricing. ShowMe Nails embodies their slogan, “Press on beautiful, show me confidence,” empowering customers to express their style and boost their self-assurance. Nail lovers will find their new set with ShowMe Nails, located at Texas Tower Plaza. 

Silart Names  Have you ever said, “THEY NEVER HAVE MY NAME!” in one of those tourist shops selling license plates, necklaces, or keychains? Come to the Silart Names location at the Texas Tower Plaza and you most likely will! Even though they are a small business founded in 2016 by a husband and wife, they pride themselves as one of the largest NAME shops in the Midwest! With more than 4,000 names ready to be “found,” if you can’t find your name at Silart, you won’t find it anywhere else! All bracelets are handwoven to give you a unique and memorable souvenir. Custom orders are available onsite as well. 

Venduni – La Duni Baking Studio  

Venduni – La Duni Baking Studio originated in the Dallas area in 2001, and in the past year, founder Dunia Borga has opened her business to the public. As the creator behind it all, Venduni – La Duni Baking Studio offers prepackaged jar cakes, pecan butter cookies, cheesecakes, pastries, and many more tasty treats. Dunia specializes in focusing on everything being made from scratch, and she excels at it. With a Colombian and Slovenian background, she is ready to present her unique food items to the fairgoers! Find Venduni – La Duni Baking Studio in the Embarcadero during the Fair.