The clock is 8 49 taking a live look over
Fair Park this morning where the sun is shining.
I can see the Ferris wheel out there. Can you believe it next Friday?
We are less than two weeks away from the start of the state fair of Texas.
Now, it's really time to start planning for all of the food, the rides,
the fun things to see in your calendar here with some
tips and some new things to know about this year
for the fair is Stephanie Almond Mary from Culture map.
Good morning, Stephanie.
Good morning, Cleo. Great to be with you today.
Uh Glad to have you here as well right now for anyone
who is either new to nor Texas and hasn't been before.
When is the state fair and when's the best time to go?
So this year's state fair starts next Friday. Um, a little less than two weeks away.
Actually, uh Friday, September 29th. It runs for 24 days through October 22nd.
Now, last year they welcomed a record 2.5 million people,
but they tell us that actually in North Texas we
wait until the last three days to go typically.
So our first tip is that if you can get
earlier in the run, your chances are better for fewer crowds and shorter lives.
Um Of course,
one super pack day is always the all state Red River rivalry or
what we used to call the Texas ou or the ou Texas game.
Um Heads up that this year it's Saturday, October 7th.
So that'll be a super crowded day.
Um And then a tip for our senior citizens, especially,
um who like to go when they can get a little bit more elbow room.
The senior days this year are Thursdays.
Uh when seniors patrons over 60 will get in for just $5.
Ok.
So Stefan, we know that a trip to the fair, it can get a bit pricey,
especially when you've got a lot of kids going maybe,
but there's a few ways to avoid paying full price.
Uh What are some of the best deals you'd mentioned a few there,
right? Uh So yes, the day at the fair is not uh cheap, but the
the news is there are so many discounts.
Um Getting through the gate is typically 15 to $25 depending on the day of the week.
But on culture map, we have compiled a list of every possible discount this year.
Some involve bringing things. Uh for example, the first day you can bring
uh two cans of or two jars of peanut butter and get in for a discount.
You can bring uh five can goods on Wednesdays and get in four or $5. There are
uh mcdonald's tray lighters, coupons,
special days and there's even a special
discount code for culture map readers uh which
is on our story on culture map uh on our home page right now.
Uh So definitely check that out. No one should pay full price to get into the fair.
OK. Now, of course, we have to talk about the food, right?
Stephanie, what are some of the newest additions that we can't miss?
Right. Our best part, right. All right.
So, besides the iconic Fletcher's corny dog,
uh everybody wants to try the Creative Fried Foods.
Now, this year's winners of the Big Tex Choice Awards include Deep Fried faw
and Biscoff Cookie Delight, which sounds fabulous.
Uh But they just get wilder from there. Cleo, just
off so
quickly,
right? Honey butter biscuit swirled deep fried
sushi, deep fried fireball shots and for something different.
Fruity pebble pickles.
Uh Now there are some uh new Dallas restaurants being represented too, Italy,
for example, is showing up and bringing deep fried pasta.
Uh And then Sando
II,
the very popular Japanese sandwich or Sandos
uh Purveyor is bringing their sandwiches and finally
fans of Doll
Whip the Creamy Tropical treat.
We'll be happy to know that there is a new
stand devoted just to a doll whip like dessert.
It's gonna be at the lagoon appropriately this year. So check that out.
If you love Doll Whip, it looks like a little bit of a stomach ache, but they look good,
Stephanie.
Thank you. Thank you so much.
All right. Yes. Thank you so much. Uh, for joining us this morning.
We'll be sure to put that information out there to send people to go
map.