The State Fair of Texas has selected Big & Bright as its theme for the 2012 season, which begins September 28 and runs through October 21, 2012. Embarking on its 126th exposition, the State Fair will amp up with high wattage attractions.
Leading the way will be a Chinese Lantern Festival featuring illuminated and animated displays as large as 50 feet high and 300 feet long. Traditional crowd favorites such as the Starlight Parade, Illumination Sensation and Midway Lights will also light up the evening sky surrounding Fair Park.
Chinese Lantern Festival will light up the State Fair of Texas
The festival is two shows in one. By day, it’s a collection of authentic Chinese art featuring pandas, flamingos, and even a 110-yard-long dragon made from 15,000 porcelain dishes tied together by hand. By night, the festival lights up from within to set the Fair Park night sky aglow.
Both day and night attendees will experience a Chinese marketplace featuring Old World handcrafts, souvenirs and a food court, as well as live shows on the stage.
“Most people think Chinese lanterns and envision small paper lanterns,” said Errol McKoy, president of the State Fair of Texas®. “Fair-goers will be amazed when they see that these lanterns are anything but that. They are large, beautiful, colorful structures that will light up the fairgrounds. The festival will be a cultural destination at this year’s State Fair of Texas.”
Admission to the State Fair of Texas is required before entering the Chinese Lantern Festival, which is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Festival admission is payable with State Fair of Texas food/ride coupons. Admission to the festival includes entry to the Museum of Nature & Science between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily. For groups of 20 or more, please contact Wayne for rates at 214-928-7677. For more information, visit chineselanternfestival.com.
In addition to lights, lights and more lights, at the Hall of State, fairgoers will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America with an exhibit saluting the organization’s commitment to community service, camping and societal issues. Other popular exhibits include the 2013 State Fair of Texas Auto Show and a chance to see the latest in motor trends.
Music: Texas- Style
The Chevrolet Main Stage will feature acts including Le Freak, Kevin Costner and Modern West, Kansas, The Commodores and Uncle Kracker.
Kevin Costner and Modern West will play, in Costner’s words, “Live, Loud, and Long” on September 29, 2012. The opening weekend entertainment series concludes with country music singer-songwriter, Uncle Kracker.
Enjoy an afternoon concert by King of the Accordion Ramon Ayala as he takes center stage on Sunday, October 7. , Bridgit Mendler, teen actress and singer, makes her debut appearance at the State Fair of Texas on Columbus Day 2012.
Grab your hat on Saturday, October 13th for an evening of boot-scootin’ music with native Texan Kevin Fowler. Fowler’s free concert will top off a day filled with fun, food, and college football. But the music doesn’t stop on Saturday night; legendary rock group Kansas performs Sunday afternoon.
The final weekend of the 2012 State Fair of Texas offers a Saturday night show by The Commodores, while Sunday belongs to Tejano band – Texas Tornadoes.
Concerts on the Chevrolet Main Stage are free for fairgoers. The outdoor venue is a huge, festival-type stage surrounded by a vast blacktop. Most viewers stand, although seating is available on some nearby grassy areas, low walls and steps.
For more information about the State Fair of Texas, visit: BigTex.com
Avoid the lines and order your tickets online