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Chicken Fried Bacon........Oh yay!!!

kfrancis1
Adventurer C
Many people are getting in the spirit of football season, and so am I, but for a different reason.   It reminds me that the Texas State Fair is here!   If you ask those who know me well, they will tell you I am a State Fair junkie.  I buy the season pass and go as much as I can.   The first thing I do is find the Fletcher's stand to get a cold beer and corn dog.   I love the way the smell of corny dogs in the Midway slightly overshadows the hint of stench in the air.  

Each year, they invent some new heart-attack on plate to entice the fried food fanatic inside each of us.  This year I'll be on a hunt for the Deep Fried Smore's or the Chicken Fried Bacon.   If those don't get your taste buds singing, then how about Fried Banana Split, Fried Chocolate Truffles, a Fried Grilled Cheese or Fried Jelly Bellys?  Check out the Food Pavilion for even more food choices.   I think you might even be able to find a salad or something healthy like that, blech!

Food isn't the only thing that keeps me coming back.   I love the extreme rides with the super loud music playing outside.   The more extreme, the better.  It shakes up all the corny dogs and beer in my belly and gives me a rush like nothing else.   Wheeeeeeeee!!!

Southwest Airlines is the Proud Sponsor of Mundo Latino, Celebration of Cultures.  In its 13th year at the State Fair, Mundo Latino features an exhibit highlighting the rich Latino culture. The theme changes every year featuring dance, music, food and educational programs from artists and groups representing the Latin world including Mexico, Spain, Central & South America, and the United States. This year's exhibit features "El Mariachi".  For more information visit www.mundolatinoevents.com.

Another sponsorship is our very own Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic.  The kickoff of Black College Football between Grambling State University Tigers and "the new" Prairie View A & M University Panthers will take place Saturday October 4th at the Cotton Bowl with a 6pm kickoff.

There is a plethora of attractions beyond what I have mentioned above.  My daughter enjoys learning about country life at the Little Hands on the Farm exhibit, Pig Races, Dog Shows, and the Pee Wee stampede.   I must have genetically passed my thrill of extreme rides too.   She is only five, so the kiddy area is as extreme as it gets, but hey it's a start, right?  One of the biggest attractions is Big Tex of course: “Howdy folks.”   We love to go visit Big Tex.
 
The Arts building is also a regular stop for me each year.   Several years ago, I entered the photo contest and won Best in Show.  It was a big accomplishment, since there were over 11,000 entries.  I also love to check out the butter sculpture each year in the Arts building.   This year I think the butter sculpture is King Tut.
 
One tiny disappointment last year was the missing sponsorship of Charmin in the bathrooms in the Food Pavilion.   It was so clean and nice with the fluffy toilet paper to use.   Charmin, please come back and sponsor the bathrooms again.

There is just so much to do, you have to go more than once; The Starlight Parade, the Midway lights (more people watching), Auto Show, Main Stage has music performers each night, the Wine Garden, Livestock Show, Bird Show, Illumination Sensation light show each night with high tech visual effects and pyrotechnics, and so much more.  The Texas-OU football game has been played during the Fair every year since 1929.
 
Our Online Marketing team is taking an outing this year to the Fair and I can't wait to share the one-of-a-kind experience I have grown to love.  Do you have a favorite State Fair story or attraction you would like to share? 
9 Comments
DC2
Explorer C
I'm a State Fair junkie too! I don't get a season pass, but I go several times during the three weeks that it's open. One of my favorite "attractions" is the Marine Drum & Bugle Corp. They perform at Marine Square the first two weeks, everyday (except Wednesday) at 4:00. Get there early though if you want a good seat! They are amazing and play a variety of music - not just military marches. In addition to hitting Fletcher's as soon as I walk in the gate, I love Pedro's Tamales in the Food Pavillion, and Belgian Waffles. Fried guac and fried Nutter Butters are faves too. The people -watching is fantastic because people from all walks of life and all over the country are there. I love everything about it!!
blusk
Aviator C
I just have to try Chicken Fried Bacon. (For those of you not familiar with Texas cuisine, there is no chicken involved, the bacon is put in the same kind of batter that is used to fry chicken--that's where the name comes from.) Some of the other fried foods seemed contrived, but a chicken fried batter on bacon sounds like they were made for each other. The pig races are hilarious, I just hope their arena is too close to the bacon stands. Brian
Hedy_Berg
Explorer C
I must try the Fried Banana Split! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
joedal
Explorer A
The Chicken Fried Grilled Cheese sounds really good, almost like a Monte Cristo. I have heard from many people that Chicken Fried Bacon is wonderful, because the bacon keeps it's original size, and all the flavor is locked in. This really makes me want to go to the State Fair now!

Joseph M,

Dallas, Texas

katie-coldwell
Explorer B
Wow--best in show for photography? That's amazing! Several years ago, I set out on a quest for a State Fair of Texas Blue Ribbon. I'm thrilled to report that you can see my first place Banana Jam and first place Wild Plum Jam on display in the creative arts building this year. Of course, the competition is more fierce in the photography division, but a blue ribbon's a blue ribbon--right!? Brian--I heard they changed the times on the pig races this year--maybe so they didn't conflict with the bacon frying as much!
Jeff_M2
Explorer C
This may be off-topic but thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, T H A N K Y O U!!!! for adding Minneapolis-St. Paul to your list of cities!! As a resident of Chicago, this is SOOO great and long long LONG overdue! I think you'll find after only a short time that this will be one of your best adds to the schedule since Philly. Now I'm waiting (not necessarily holding my breath) for an LGA (LaGuardia) expansion since ATA exited there... As an A-Lister who flies on SWA nearly every week, I'm also hoping that the Fly-By security lanes will also include a Business Select/A List line for baggage check too... Luv Ya!! Jeff
kfrancis1
Adventurer C
Jeff, I loved your "off topic" enthusiasm and you're right, LGA would be a nice addition some day. I don't get to the Big Apple near as much as I would like to. Hmmm, wonder if NY has a state fair.
DC2
Explorer C
I tried the fried bacon Brian and it was good. Not as amazing as I'd hoped; but don't let that stop you! Next on the list is the fried grilled cheese. I plan to go back for my third and final visit this weekend. I haven't been to the Creative Arts building yet. (BTW, Kristen is a very talented photographer and her Best In Show photo was really cool.)
blusk
Aviator C
DC--that's disappointing news about the bacon.