Everything is BIG in TEXAS.   Beginning at 10 a.m., September 25^th, “BIG TEX”, the tallest Texan in the world will be welcoming guests to the 2009 State Fair of Texas, the largest and longest (24-day exposition) State Fair in the country and the largest annual exposition in North America.

50 cents at a time

Concessionaries and Sponsors

The SFT stop counting the attendance 10 years ago.   But they know that the fair attracts a heavily urban audience.   It is estimated that approximately 80% of SFT visitors come from a 50-mile radius of the D/FW market. Many national corporations and local businesses participate in the Fair as sponsors and exhibitors: +50 BIG Sponsors; +300 Concessionaries.

The 2009 State Fair brings the 5th Annual Big Tex Choice Awards, where concessionaires compete for fairground food dominance with their newest offerings. The winning concessionaire gets a trophy and bragging rights, and fairgoers get a delicious new treat to try when the Fair opens. Past winning entries have included Fried Coke, Fried Praline Perfection and Fried Peanut Butter, Jelly and Banana sandwiches.

Yes, food is one of the most recurrent concessionaries, but the fair is a great opportunity for all types of businesses, not only your traditional concessionaire.  You can even find a company renting wheelchairs, strollers, wagons and electric scooters.

The Eight Annual State Fair Fall Garden Exhibition offers a great opportunity to North Texas landscaping professionals and sculptors.  They team to transform routine planting beds spaces into pieces of art.  Garden exhibitors compete for titles in nine categories. Starting with 8 landscaping companies in 2002, today they have around 100 gardening spots located throughout the grounds. Competitors must plant and maintain beds for the 24-day run of the Fair. Each landscaper’s design is clearly identified and company literature is available to guests. Representatives at each plot are available from 2 to 4 p.m. each Sunday – the perfect chance to learn how professionals meet plant challenges, including light availability, hardiness, adaptability, color, texture, shape and size.  More than 50 sculptures will dot landscaped areas.

Supporting the Auto Industry in America

SFT is the only state fair to feature a major automobile show as an annual attraction. More than 400 new cars and trucks are debuted by manufacturers. First presented in 1904, the show is a top SFT visitor attraction.

Definitely the State Fair of Texas is Texas Big Business.

We invite all of you to get a discussion going.  Please submit your comments at the end of this article, Thanks.