State Fair of Texas welcomed nearly 2.1 million fairgoers

DALLAS – The Midway lights have dimmed, and Big Tex has waved his final farewell as yet another memorable season of the State Fair of Texas has come to a close. In celebration of 140 years of Texas tradition, the 2026 State Fair of Texas welcomed nearly 2.1million fairgoers to the Most Texan Place on Earth during its 24-day run. Guests came together to enjoy the live entertainment, iconic fair food, thrilling attractions, agricultural exhibits, and livestock shows that celebrate Texas heritage and bring generations together each fall.

“The State Fair of Texas is about so much more than the 24 days we spend together at Fair Park. It is about bringing people together, celebrating the traditions and hospitality that make Texas special, and creating opportunities that make a lasting difference in our communities,” said State Fair of Texas President Mitchell Glieber. “We are grateful to every fairgoer who joined us this year, as well as the team members, vendors, and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this season possible. As a nonprofit organization, a successful Fair helps fuel our work throughout the year, and we are proud of the impact we continue to make through agriculture, education, and community.”

2026 Fair Facts and Milestones

• The 2026 State Fair of Texas welcomed nearly 2.1 million fairgoers through the gates.
• More than 461,000 Visitor’s Guides were handed out, informing fairgoers of all the State Fair fun they can enjoy during their visit.
• The Fair’s busiest day for the 2026 season was Saturday, October 10 – the Allstate® Red River Rivalry. Big Tex welcomed more than 203,000 fairgoers that day.
• Standing 55 feet tall, Big Tex debuted an all-new look for the 2026 State Fair of Texas, sporting a 95-gallon Resistol cowboy hat, a Cavender’s shirt measuring 245 by 192 inches, Levi’s 501 jeans measuring 380 inches wide by 290 inches long, size 96 Lucchese boots, and a Shiner belt buckle, all made possible through the generous support of State Fair sponsors.
• On October 4, Big Tex’s 74th birthday, the State Fair of Texas celebrated a historic milestone with the unveiling of an official State of Texas Historical Marker from the Texas Historical Commission honoring his enduring legacy as a beloved Texas icon and symbol of State Fair tradition.
• The Big Tex Contact Center employees answered nearly 7,000 calls from fairgoers during the 24-day run of the State Fair.

Community

• More than 2,500 admission tickets were donated to local nonprofit organizations.
• More than 200 nonprofit leaders attended Community Engagement Day, hosted by the Fair.
• More than 300 faith leaders and community partners took part in the annual Pastors Luncheon hosted by the Fair.
• The State Fair of Texas and the Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House & Steering Committee hosted the ninth annual Juanita Craft Humanitarian Awards, honoring four individuals following in her footsteps. More than 200 community members attended.
• An estimated 110,655 pounds of food were collected during the Fair and donated to the North Texas Food Bank.
• More than 1.3 million free admission tickets were given to pre-K through eighth-grade students throughout North Texas, and more than 296,000 teachers in pre-K through 12th grade received a voucher for free admission.
• Nearly 9,600 first responders and more than 28,600 members of the military, along with their families, visited the Fair, utilizing the special discount offer in gratitude for their service.
• As of 2026, Big Tex Urban Farms has donated more than 22,000 pounds of fresh produce, which equates to more than 2.2 million servings donated to help feed the South Dallas/Fair Park community since 2016.
• In 2026, the Fair’s Big Tex Scholarship Program awarded more than $1.2 million in new college scholarships to 103 students throughout the Lone Star State.
• The Fair encourages eligible high school seniors and seasonal employees to go online to BigTex.com/Scholarship and apply now for a 2027 Big Tex college scholarship.

Livestock and Agriculture

• The State Fair has awarded more than $25.3 million in auction awards and scholarships since 2018.
• With more than $2.7 million raised and pledges still coming in, 2026 is a record-breaking fundraising year for the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction & Scholarship Programs at the State Fair of Texas.
• The Grand Champion Market Steer of the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction, sold for $227,000 to Frank Deel and Family, set a new State Fair of Texas record.
• Ag Awareness Day gathered more than 175 chapters of 4-H, FFA, and FCCLA, with more than 25,000 pounds of food donated to the North Texas Food Bank.
• The State Fair’s livestock and agricultural events hosted more than 14,505 livestock and contest entries.
• The Livestock Birthing Barn celebrated more than 90 animal births throughout the run of the Fair: 50 piglets, 15 goats, 17 calves, 8 lambs, and countless chicks.

Entertainment, Attractions, and Midway

• More than 135,000 fans were in attendance for the 101st year of the State Fair Classic and the 97th year of the Allstate® Red River Rivalry at the newly renovated historic Cotton Bowl Stadium.
• A crowd of 15,326 fans filled the Cotton Bowl for the second annual State Fair Clásico featuring Dallas Trinity FC and Chivas Femenil.
• The Starlight Parade featured brand-new floats that illuminated the fairgrounds each night, with more than 70 volunteers and 1,000 riders adorning the floats during the processions.
• The skies above Fair Park came alive with the Stars of the Fair drone shows presented by DraftKings, featuring 1,500 drones, bringing a dazzling new dimension to the nighttime entertainment.
• During the eighth year of the Lone Star Music Series, more than 150 Texas music artists performed throughout the grounds.
• More than 25 acts took to the Chevrolet Main Stage this year, with Clint Black, Tripping Daisy, La Alianzia Norteña, Two Friends, and Paul Wall Fall Ball drawing the largest crowds at their free concerts.
• The Bud Light Stage hosted 29 acts in Cotton Bowl Plaza this year, with The Texas Zephyrs, Dezi 5 and the Tailgaters, Rosas Divinas, and the Tejas Brothers drawing the largest crowds for the free concerts.
• Throughout the Fair’s 24 days, more than 3,000 activities happened across the grounds, including shows like USA Breakdancers, Wacky Chad, live music, shows, and more.
• Little Big Tex made more than 150 appearances across the fairgrounds, taking 10,000-plus photos with fairgoers.
• About 500,000 prizes, valued at an estimated $1.8 million, were won at the State Fair Midway during the Fair’s run, enough stuffed animals and prizes to fill about 90 semi-trucks.
• More than 375,000 balloons were popped across the State Fair Midway’s balloon pop games.
• An HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter made a memorable landing on Lone Star Boulevard before going on display for Opening Weekend, giving fairgoers a rare opportunity to see the military aircraft up close.

Exhibits, Creative Arts, Food and Beverage

• The State Fair welcomed 40 new vendors this year, creating 288 shopping locations for fairgoers to enjoy.
• The Texas Auto Show showcased 271 cars and eight golf carts, with three free ride experiences: Chevrolet Ride and Drive, Camp Jeep Experience, and Ram Thrill Ride.
• State Farm gave out more than 13,000 free customizable hats to fairgoers during the Fair.
• Community members got crafty with 10,632 entries in the Fair’s Creative Arts competitions, with the Fair awarding about 4,000 ribbons.
• The State Fair Creative Arts contests featured 3,452 participants from across the Lone Star State.
• Four new concessionaires joined the State Fair of Texas community of vendors this year, in addition to four new food and beverage concepts.
• One of Tommy G’s viral new creations this year, The Flamin' Crunch Pizza, used around 15,000 bags of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos to make the popular Big Tex Choice Awards dish for fairgoers.
• About 450,000 Fletcher’s Original Corny Dogs were enjoyed by fairgoers during the Fair.
• Chamoy Treats’ Candy Watermelon used about 10,000 watermelons throughout the Fair, which is equivalent to about an acre of watermelons.

Economic Impact

• The State Fair of Texas is estimated to generate more than $600 million in economic activity each year, serving as one of the most impactful annual events in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
• The Fair provides an unparalleled platform for hundreds of local and regional vendors, from family-owned food stands to mom-and-pop shops to national brand exhibitors. These vendors collectively generate millions of dollars in sales during the event.
• Each year, Fair operations account for tens of millions of dollars in expenditures related to staffing, maintenance, utilities, security, entertainment, construction, and infrastructure improvements at Fair Park. These investments directly support the regional economy by creating thousands of seasonal and permanent jobs, generating demand for skilled trades, and supporting professional services such as logistics, marketing, and public safety.
• More than just a fun day, the Fair also delivers measurable and recurring public value through millions of dollars of state and local tax revenue from sales tax, hotel occupancy tax, business and vendor fees, employment, and payroll tax.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the State Fair of Texas exists to serve communities throughout Texas. The annual event serves as the organization's largest community program and fundraiser of the year, helping generate resources that support agriculture, education, and community. Proceeds help fund scholarships for Texas students pursuing higher education, support youth and agricultural programs, strengthen community initiatives, preserve and enhance Fair Park, benefit Fair Park museums, and improve State Fair operations.

Since 2015, the State Fair of Texas has invested more than $92 million in projects that support Fair Park and enhance the State Fair experience. The Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Big Tex Scholarship Program are two of the State Fair's most meaningful investments in the next generation of Texans. Together, these initiatives have awarded more than $25.3 million in auction awards and scholarships to thousands of Texas students since 2018 alone, supporting their educational journeys and celebrating their achievements in agriculture and beyond. Through its philanthropic initiatives, agricultural programming, and community partnerships, the State Fair continues to create opportunities for Texas students, support local organizations, and strengthen the communities it serves.

“The State Fair of Texas is honored to be part of cherished memories for families across the Lone Star State and beyond. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to historic Fair Park for the 2027 State Fair of Texas next fall,” a spokesman said.