Big Tex is getting a new pair of size 96 boots.
The State Fair of Texas’ iconic mascot swaps out for new Luccheses every three years, as designed by State Fair fans.
The 2026 winner, Aaliyah McNeal, has been selected out of 400 entries for her design of longhorn, bluebonnets, pecan trees, prickly pears and the Texas Star Ferris Wheel.
Another North Texan won the last Big Tex boots competition in 2023. Jessica Bonilla from Irving dressed Big Tex with a sunset desert scene featuring Texas nature like the state bird, horned frogs and cacti.
Here’s what Big Tex will strut for the next three years.
The winning boot design by Aaliyah McNeal from Dallas that the State Fair of Texas mascot, Big Tex, will wear for the next three fair seasons. Courtesy photo by State Fair of Texas Who is the Big Tex Lucchese boots winner?
McNeal grew up in Dallas around the corner from Fair Park. She now lives in Georgia but grew up attending the fair annually.
“Key Texas symbols come together to create the embellishments at the heart of my design. From a distance, sweeping patterns mimic the rich textures of genuine leather, accented by pops of red and blue in honor of the Texas flag,” she said.
Now, McNeal will work with the State Fair and Lucchese to put the finishing touches on the size 96 boots. Be sure to stop by Big Tex when attending the State Fair of Texas to see the boots in person.
The winning boot design, by Aaliyah McNeal from Dallas, that the State Fair of Texas mascot, Big Tex, will wear for the next three fair seasons. Courtesy photo by State Fair of Texas 
The winning boot design by Aaliyah McNeal from Dallas that the State Fair of Texas mascot, Big Tex, will wear for the next three fair seasons. Courtesy photo by State Fair of Texas State Fair of Texas is giving away a free pair of Lucchese boots
Texans have the chance to win two season passes to the 2026 State Fair, but also a Lucchese certificate for a free pair of boots.
To enter,
Text BOOTS to 877-724-4839Must enter before Tuesday, March 31 at 11:59 p.m.
Once you enter, you should receive a confirmation text that says, “Yeehaw! You’re Entered.”
The pair of boots Big Tex wore from 2023 until 2025, designed by Jessica Bonilla from Irving. Big Tex will receive a new pair of boots for the 2026 to 2028 seasons. Courtesy photo by State Fair of Texas When is the 2026 State Fair of Texas?
The 2026 State Fair season will run from Sept. 25 through Oct. 18 in Dallas’ Fair Park.
Tickets will go on sale starting in the summer.
For now, the State Fair is looking for small businesses to be featured at the park grounds. There are 90 food and beverage concessionary spots and over 200 commercial exhibitors. Apply to be a vendor on the State Fair of Texas website.
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Ella Gonzales is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Ella mainly writes about local restaurants and where to find good deals around town.