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Big Tex, the 55-foot cowboy greeter since 1952, welcomes visitors to the State Fair of Texas, a Dallas tradition since 1886 filled with rides, food, shows, and football. For generations, high schoolers enjoyed free admission, but in 2025 that tradition ended, with students now receiving only a promo code for discounted tickets.
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The State Fair of Texas features the classic HUSS Pirate Ship ride. Recently retrofitted with a modern drive system, it now offers smoother, safer swings up to 20 meters high while preserving its iconic look.
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The Wave Swing, a rotating aerial ride with outward-swinging chairs, is a Midway favorite at the State Fair of Texas, though its presence varies yearly.
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The Texas Star® Ferris Wheel, standing 212 feet tall, and the Texas SkyWay, an 1,800-foot gondola ride above the Midway, give State Fair visitors stunning views of Fair Park and the Dallas skyline.
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Not everything at the State Fair of Texas is about big rides—visitors can also enjoy classic arcade-style games and Midway challenges for fun and prizes.
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Texas State Fair highlights the state’s livestock and agricultural heritage, with daily livestock shows and barn tours for all visitors. Youth exhibitors can compete for premium prizes, scholarships, and high-value purchases of Grand Champion animals, turning hard work on the farm into Fair-day recognition.
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Each year, a local Texas artist creates a large butter sculpture reflecting the State Fair’s theme, displayed in the Creative Arts Building as a popular and unique Fair attraction. The butter sculpture pictured above, for instance, features Marilyn Monroe and is from 2006’s State Fair and was created by local artist Jack Keene.
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The State Fair’s Creative Arts department offers contests in arts, crafts, youth projects, and cooking, giving Texans of all ages a chance to showcase their talents.
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The Big Tex Scholarship Program has awarded over $20 million to more than 3,700 students across Texas, supporting youth livestock exhibitors, local DISD seniors, and Fair employees or their families.
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Since 2015, the State Fair of Texas has donated leftover food and drinks from vendors to local pantries and shelters, helping feed families in need and giving back to the community that supports the Fair.
The Texas State Fair is open until Oct. 19, but there might be a noticeable change for visitors as high school students no longer receive free tickets
“The change has been under consideration for several years due to rising costs, low redemption rates and increased safety concerns,” fair spokesperson Karissa Condoianis said in a news release.
Although high school students are no longer receiving free tickets from the State Fair, they will be receiving a promo code for a discount on the tickets.
But a discount on tickets isn’t free, and freshman Can Kong thinks that’s a mistake.
“I think that although not a lot of people here may go to the fair, it should honestly still be free especially for high schoolers,” Kong said. “I feel like since they can drive, they are more likely to go, like if they want to plan something with their friends. It’s kind of overpriced nowadays, and so more than likely this gives Texan families the opportunity to go once every year.”
That’s the sentiment of Dallas high school parent Billie Garcia.
“It’s not good because a lot of the kids need it because larger families that have three or four kids won’t be able to afford to take them, because food and entrance is already high,” Garcia said to KERA News. “Now that they have to pay the entrance fee, it’s hard. The free entrance helps a lot.”
However, free tickets are still being given to students in Pre-K through 8th grade.
“We know some families may be disappointed,” Condoianis said. “But this decision helps us continue providing a safe, family-friendly, and sustainable Fair experience while still investing in youth through free admission for younger students, scholarships, and educational programs.”
