Dallas families and fair‑goers will see the iconic 55‑foot‑tall cowboy, Big Tex, back in his familiar spot at Fair Park this week, just days before the State Fair of Texas opens for its 140th year. A crane hoisted the towering figure into place on Friday morning, marking the start of final preparations for the September 25‑October 18 celebration.
New wardrobe celebrates Texas heritage
This year’s Big Tex sports a completely redesigned outfit. After more than five decades of wearing Dickies apparel, the cowboy now dons a red pearl‑snap shirt with navy and white accents, created by Cavender’s Boot City, the fair’s official western‑wear partner. Fair officials said the shirt’s design will be refreshed each year to reflect fair themes, anniversaries and other milestones.
Resistol, a historic hat maker founded in Dallas and now based in Garland, supplied a new 95‑gallon cowboy hat that continues the brand’s tradition of western headwear dating back to the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition at Fair Park.
Levi’s provided a fresh pair of 501 jeans, sized 434 by 240, requiring roughly 100 yards of denim and weighing about 100 pounds. Completing the look are size‑96 Lucchese boots, designed by 31‑year‑old Dallas native Aaliyah McNeal, who now lives in Georgia and won the State Fair’s Big Tex Boot Design Contest earlier this year. The boots feature Texas symbols such as longhorns, bluebonnets and pecan trees, along with red, white and blue detailing inspired by the state flag.
2026 State Fair theme and new attractions
The 2026 State Fair of Texas will run for 24 days under the theme “Stars, Stripes, and Howdies.” In addition to Big Tex’s refreshed look, fair organizers have announced several new attractions: a “Stars of the Fair” drone show, the comedy stunt show “Wacky Chad!,” expanded exhibits at the Hall of State, and the “Mandela: The Official Exhibition” at the African American Museum.
Other highlights include the “Texas in the Saddle” horse show, half‑hourly fountain performances, and a lineup of nearly 100 musical acts across four stages. Returning favorites such as the Starlight Parade, pig races and Cotton Bowl football games will also be part of the schedule.
Community impact
Big Tex’s presence has long been a symbol of Texas pride and a gathering point for families across the Dallas‑Fort Worth metroplex. The updated attire underscores the fair’s commitment to honoring local traditions while showcasing contemporary Texas craftsmanship. Visitors can expect the iconic cowboy to greet them throughout the fair season, reinforcing the sense of community that the State Fair has cultivated for more than a century.
Fair officials encourage attendees to explore the new attractions, support local vendors and enjoy the blend of heritage and innovation that defines the 2026 State Fair of Texas.
Original reporting: WBAP News/Talk (Dallas-Fort Worth) — read the source article.
