Big Tex’s arrival marks the State Fair of Texas despite past heartbreak when he caught fire. The iconic cowboy’s resilience stirs Texan pride anew.
DALLAS — The State Fair of Texas is just one week away, which means it’s almost time for a familiar voice to boom across Fair Park: “Howdy!”
For 74 years, Big Tex has greeted fairgoers from high above the crowds. The 55-foot-tall cowboy has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the State Fair of Texas — and a beloved part of Texas tradition.
One thing, however, has remained the same:
“Big Tex is mighty proud to see ya.”
And Texans have made it clear they’re pretty proud to see him, too.
In 2012, Big Tex celebrated his 60th birthday. To mark the occasion, WFAA’s Cynthia Izaguirre and Greg Fields took to the air to deliver him a birthday cake.
“We know you wanted it deep-fried with all the corny dogs, but this is the best we can do,” Fields said.
Then, just one week after the celebration, disaster struck. Big Tex caught fire. His clothes burned away as the iconic cowboy went up in flames at the fairgrounds.
For many Texans, the sight was heartbreaking.
“I never understood how important he was until the day he caught fire,” one observer recalled. “People were crying. They had their hands over their hearts.”
But even as Big Tex disappeared into smoke, the love for the Texas icon kept coming. Cards arrived. So did flowers — including bouquets made from corny dogs.
“We are actually wishing him a speedy recovery,” one well-wisher said.
The message was clear: Texans weren’t ready to say goodbye. A year later, Big Tex was ready to make his return.
“It is a new beginning because Big Tex will be rebuilt,” officials said at the time.
Now, as the State Fair of Texas prepares to open and Big Tex gets ready to take his familiar place over Fair Park once again, generations of fairgoers will look to the sky for a greeting they know by heart.
And if Big Tex has taught Texans anything, it’s that even after the toughest days, a Texas-sized comeback is always possible.