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The J.J. Pearce High School Mustang Stampede marches in a parade in front of Big Tex during opening day of the State Fair of Texas at Fair Park in Dallas, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.<\/p>\n
Juan Figueroa\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
Four-year-old Townie Fox waited far too long to reunite with an old friend<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n She and her mother, Bessie, were some of the first visitors at Fair Park\u2019<\/a>s gates for the first day of the 2026 State Fair of Texas.<\/a> Once they were in, the pair walked past the rides, livestock, even the funnel cake stands \u2014 Townie had a very important first stop on her list.<\/p>\n \u201cHi, Big Texas!\u201d Townie yelled when she caught sight of the 55-foot giant<\/a>, waving jubilantly as the State Fair\u2019s official greeter.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cWe always love the first day, no matter what,\u201d Bessie said, laughing. \u201cEverything is new and ready for us.\u201d<\/p>\n Bessie and Townie were just two of the hundreds of visitors who flooded the fairgrounds for the first day on Friday, eager to explore the \u201cmost Texan place on Earth.\u201d The fair, which runs Sept. 25 through Oct. 18<\/a>, brings families from all over for massive livestock shows, carnival rides and almost every fried food imaginable.<\/a><\/p>\n Related: What to know before you go to the 2026 State Fair of Texas<\/a><\/p>\n Husband and wife Rick and Nikki Willis drove down from Sherman for the first day of the fair, snagging a morning corny dog before heading out to explore the grounds. They\u2019ve been regulars at the fair for decades, always doing what they can to attend the first day.<\/p>\n \u201cYou get a button!\u201d Rick said, pointing to the red, white and blue commemorative \u201cOpening Day\u201d button on his lapel. It was one of the many patriotic decorations strewn around the fairgrounds as part of the \u201cStars, Stripes, and Howdies\u201d theme to celebrate the nation\u2019s 250th birthday. The fair is also celebrating its 140th birthday.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The button wasn\u2019t the only perk the Willis family got for arriving early. Morning fairgoers were also greeted by crisp autumn air, with a cool breeze streaming through the park as Willie Nelson tunes played from the loudspeakers.<\/p>\n Related: A Twinkie filled with brisket? Chocolate flautas? Yes, at the State Fair<\/a><\/p>\n Friday was forecast<\/a> to reach a high of 96 degrees, according to the National Weather Service\u2019s Fort Worth office. Temperatures are expected to be their highest from 3 to 5 p.m., with conditions cooling into the high-80s by 8 p.m.<\/p>\n Do you go to the State Fair for the food \ud83c\udf57, music \ud83c\udfb8 or attractions\ud83c\udfa1?<\/p>\n The State Fair opens Sept. 25 and runs through Oct. 18 at Fair Park in South Dallas.<\/p>\n Most RecentTop Responses<\/p>\n Keith S<\/p>\n Desoto, TX<\/p>\n 09\/24\/26<\/p>\n Last year what my family of four spent on one visit to the State Fair could’ve boughten us FOUR season passes to Six Flags. The math just isn’t math’n.<\/p>\n Kevin L<\/p>\n Grand Prairie, TX<\/p>\n 09\/22\/26<\/p>\n We didn\u2019t go last year. It has gotten that nothing changes. Same exhibits, same over price food, same shows, etc. We used to like going to the auto show and looking at all of the new model cars and trucks but they are so overpriced that even that isn\u2019t worth the time. Ford and Chevy have pretty much stopped making cars and I\u2019m not the least bit interested in buying a truck that costs almost my yearly salary. Will we go this year? Probably on one of the Thursdays in which we can get the senior discounts but if we don\u2019t then we will spend the money saved on a good meal out somewhere rather than pay the same amount just for one of the fried award winning foods.<\/p>\n Connie and Jennifer Crabtree appreciated the cool morning weather as they sat by the Fair Park Esplanade, pouring over the fair map before embarking on their adventure. The mother-daughter duo have come to opening day together for 20 years \u2014 each time in matching Texas-themed shirts.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a tradition for us,\u201d Connie said, proudly showing off her custom blue shirt with a drawing of Big Tex on fire \u2014 a nod to the unfortunate 2012 incident<\/a>. \u201cWe\u2019ll keep on doing it for as long as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n Jennifer said they were glad to see that organizers kept prices down<\/a> this season. The fair cut prices <\/a>this year after facing steep criticism over rising prices during the 2025 season.<\/p>\n Related: Tiny fairgoers, big fun: Family-Friendly things to do at the State Fair of Texas<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe were looking through the visitors\u2019 guide and noticed the first page was the steps that they have taken to make it a little more affordable for everybody to attend,\u201d Connie said. \u201cIt\u2019s important to us.\u201d<\/p>\n Fort Worth residents Lisa Baker and Misty Baker Tippins said their favorite part of the fair was watching different families having fun. Baker said it reminds her of seeing Big Tex at the fair with her grandparents.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n