Big Tex says: Welcome to the drive-thru State Fair of Texas!

By Karissa Condoianis

For the first time in its 134-year history, the State Fair of Texas is thrilled to introduce the Big Tex^® Fair Food Drive-Thru – a special event for 2020 in lieu of the annual 24-day exhibition. Saddle up for the ride of the year, Fair fanatics – you asked, we listened, and we cannot wait to deliver you a safe, one-of-a-kind, State Fair Drive-Thru experience. But what is the State Fair without Big Tex? You guessed it, it’s all in the name – Texas’s favorite cowboy will return to his rightful home in Big Tex Circle in just a few short weeks. As an icon of the Lone Star State and a true Texan, Big Tex will do his part as a good neighbor to keep the community safe by adding the latest and greatest accessory to his get-up for 2020 – a Big Tex-sized face mask. In a year of many firsts, this historic event will offer Fair lovers the opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime photo and experience.

Now this isn’t our first rodeo… well, actually, it sort of is… however, we think fairgoers will love what we have in store for them during the Big Tex Fair Food Drive-Thru – from the sweet smell of fried food to sightings of different Fair icons and even a little Midway fun, this event will celebrate all things Texan. It will give the community an opportunity for their annual photo with Big Tex and a taste of the Fair, all while supporting the State Fair of Texas’s nonprofit mission of promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement.

To provide guests with the best experience possible, while keeping health and safety top of mind, only a limited number of tickets will be sold for this historic event. A special Big Tex photo-only Drive-Thru experience will open on September 19 and 20. The Big Tex Fair Food Drive-Thru will operate Fridays through Sundays during the originally anticipated dates of this year’s State Fair of Texas, as well as Monday, October 12: September 25-27, October 2-4, 9-12, 15-18. Due to the historic AT&T Red River Showdown between the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma in Cotton Bowl Stadium, the Drive-Thru event will not occur on Saturday, October 10.

To best serve guests, while ensuring everyone’s safety, tickets are limited and will be presold in three entry windows – entry between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., entry between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., and entry between 5 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. We anticipate the Drive-Thru to take no longer than 1 and a half hours once you enter the gate. Tickets for the Big Tex Fair Food Drive-Thru go on sale starting September 2, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. onBigTex.com. Sign up to be a Big Tex Insider to get first access to tickets, BigTex.com/Insider. Get your tickets before they’re gone!

After selecting a specific date and time, each customer will be able to choose one of two different packages, in addition to special add-on items:

 Big Tex Photo Package – $25
Only available September 19 and 20

Includes:

• Admission (in one vehicle) for up to eight (8) people
• One (1) downloadable professional photo with Big Tex

 Fair Food & Photo Package A – $65

(Feeds 1-2 people)

Includes:

• Admission (in one vehicle) for up to eight (8) people
• One (1) downloadable professional photo with Big Tex
• Two (2) Soft Drinks or Bottled Waters provided by Haworth Concessions
• Two (2) Fletcher’s Original State Fair Corny Dogs™
• One (1) order of Jack’s French Fries
• One (1) order of Stiffler’s Fried Oreos®
• One (1) bag of State Fair Cotton Candy
• One (1) bag of Pioneer Kettle Corn
• One (1) Midway Prize

Fair Food & Photo Package B – $99

(Feeds 3-4 people)

Includes:

• Admission (in one vehicle) for up to eight (8) people
• One (1) downloadable professional photo with Big Tex
• Four (4) Soft Drinks or Bottled Waters provided by Haworth Concessions
• Four (4) Fletcher’s Original State Fair Corny Dogs™
• Two (2) orders of Jack’s French Fries
• Two (2) orders of Stiffler’s Fried Oreos®
• Two (2) bags of State Fair Cotton Candy
• Two (2) bags of Pioneer Kettle Corn
• Two (2) Midway Prizes

Additional Add-on Items

• Two (2) Sweet Connie’s Corn on the Cob, $10
• Two (2) Fletcher’s Original State Fair Corny Dogs™, $15
• Two (2) Smokey John’s Sausage on a Stick, $12
• Two (2) Smokey John’s Turkey Legs, $24

Our number one priority is the health and safety of everyone involved. With that in mind, we will be implementing the following health and safety protocols, in addition to others recommended by the local, state, and federal government and other relevant health agencies:

• All guests must remain in their vehicles, with the exception of using the restroom and/or having their photo taken at Big Tex Circle.
• Social distancing of six (6) feet or more between parties when outside of their vehicle.
• Guests directly interfacing with staff and/or vendors, while in their vehicles, are required to wear a protective face mask to protect both parties.
• All queueing at Big Tex Circle will be a minimum of six (6) feet between parties and mandatory protective face mask while outside vehicles will be required while waiting for photos. Hand sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the queue line.
• All team members are required to wear protective face masks to safely cover their mouth and nose at all times.
• All team members are subject to temperature checks upon arriving at work.
• All team members are required to wash hands prior to starting work and frequently during shifts and between tasks.
• All team members handling food are required to wear gloves and change them frequently during shifts and between tasks.

For a full list of health and safety protocols for this event, please visit BigTex.com/DriveThru.

Proceeds from this event will support State Fair of Texas operations, allowing us to bring back all your favorite traditions for 2021 and fulfill our nonprofit mission through our year-round initiatives. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit the North Texas Food Bank to help feed our community in need.

While this year has felt anything but ordinary, we look forward to bringing a piece of tradition back to the Lone Star State in an all-new safe and fun way. We hope that you will join us at the most Texan place on earth this fall – for more information, please visit BigTex.com/DriveThru. Whether you can join us this year or not, the State Fair of Texas and Big Tex look forward to welcoming you back with an iconic, “Howdy Folks,” when that time comes.