On the Road Again

Previously:

Hat Man Returns  - -   Cape Fair   

 Cowboy (Back) Up  - -  Golden Anniversary

You've probably noticed that things are different this year.  Due to the pandemic, most large events have been canceled and the State Fair of Texas was not immune.  Luckily, hungry Texans need not go without their deep fried Fall fair food altogether.  This year the Fair offers a drive-thru version that includes several of your favorites and a visit with Big Tex himself.

 ...and Little Tex, as you can see above.  There are a couple of packages available and several "add-ons" for those with specific tastes (especially if you're hankering for a turkey leg).  I got the one with the maximum amount of corn dogs.  

Starting at Gate 11, the route takes visitors through Fair Park and has plenty of fun signs with trivia and Texas facts to amuse as you wait in line.  Although, the day I went, there wasn't much of a wait at all.  First up is the drink station where the options range from soda to bottled water.  Next up are the Jack's French Fries and Fletcher's Corn Dog stops.  I got so excited that I ate my corn dog without taking a picture.  Thankfully, I got it together for Big Tex.

In the middle of the drive, Big Tex awaits his photo op with visitors.  There were several photo stations set up to get people in and out with their professional pic (they text it to you immediately).  Of course, visitors are also allowed to take pictures on their own phones.  Assuming that this is the only year BT wears a mask then this is a once in a lifetime photo opportunity.  After a quick drive thru midway game it was time for  dessert!

 
Deep Fried Oreo's were easily my favorite but other stops include more traditional fair fare like cotton candy and kettle corn.  There were plenty of options for those that wanted to indulge in sweets...or if you'd like, maybe mix them all together in one bag and gorge yourself.  It's your car after all.

So, yeah, it sucks that there's no State Fair this year but thankfully Fair fans like me don't have to leave Autumn empty handed...or with an empty stomach.. 

 

Hat Man Returns

Previously:

State Fair (1962) at the State Fair!  - -  The X-Men Visit the State Fair

Neon Big Tex  - -   Golden Anniversary

For as long as I can remember, every year at the State Fair, Big Tex as been front and center in his usual spot.  Even after the fire a few years ago most people just take it for granted that he'll be right where he always is and people have no qualms saying "Meet me at Big Tex."

But since he's not a year 'round kind of guy, Big Tex needs help getting up and around every year.  The raising of Big Tex has become a yearly event that attracts not just the media but plenty of spectators.  It's been almost 15 years since I've attended personally so I decided to go this year.  But first, here's a look at the video I shot way back when:

They've managed to streamline the process over the years and can now get him up pretty quick.  If you plan to go next year, here are a few of the things you can expect:

The Press is There - A Lot of Them

All of the local news channels want to start their evening broadcasts with a shot of Big Tex going up on that day.  There can also be some stations outside of the DFW area that show up: Tyler/Longview, Sherman/Denison, etc.  You never know who wants to make the drive out to see the iconic moment.  There's also tons of stringers, freelancers, photographers, bloggers and anyone else who wants to capture the first moment the big guy makes his yearly appearance.

Spectators Are Into It

It's not uncommon for the crowd to bring lawn chairs and a picnic basket for the event.  Like I said earlier, it used to take a lot longer but even now it can still take a few hours to get Big Tex fully dressed (boots and all) and ready for the adoring crowds.  You can see the kid above doing his best Big Tex cosplay and entertaining the crowd.   The event can be a nice little diversion from day-to-day stress.

People Get Inspired

It's not just the Big Tex kid above who gets creative but other local artists as well.  This year local painter Eric Hanson was creating a portrait of the man of honor while the instillation was happening.  Also tons of professional and amateur photographers get shots that might just be entered into next year's Creative Arts contest.

Everyone's In a Good Mood

If you've ever visited the State Fair before then there's a good chance you have at least one fun memory about it.  If you've been several times then you've probably got several good memories.  Since Big Tex is the personification of the fair, seeing him again is a great reminder of all the fun and happiness the fair can bring.  And that shows in the delight people take in the big guy's return.

We live in an overly harsh world so it's always nice when people can come together to ride some rides, eat some food and have a little fun.  And with Big Tex's return, those good times are right around the corner.

Welcome back Big Tex!

Tour of Duty

Sad Sack was a wartime comic strip about the misadventures of a well meaning goofball in the U.S. Army.  The strip was originally published in the military magazine Yank before becoming a comic book published by Harvey Comics.  I don't have a lot of info but at some point in the 70's Harvey published "Sad Sack U.S.A." featuring issues that focused on individual U.S. states...including Texas!

Again, I don't have a ton of info on the series.  I'm not sure how long it ran or how many states were featured.  Texas was issue #4 and other states like New York, Illinois, Washington and Michigan got their own issues.  I'd like to think they got around to all 50 states but for today we're just focused on their Lone Star State road trip:

There isn't much of a story.  The premise seems to be that Sack, Sarge and Sadie have car trouble in the middle of Texas and need to walk to Dallas.  They weren't sticklers for geography in this book since they seem to start in the dessert and after a brisk hike end up in Big D:

I guess they showed up in October because Big Tex is out to welcome them.  No mention of the rest of the State Fair but from this point the locations are fast and furious, many of them only getting one panel.  After a quick stop to ride a nondescript roller coaster at Six Flags, the gang takes in the Fort Worth Convention Center and then decides it would be a good idea to head to Denison:

If you've never visited, you should.  Mainly because it's an important piece of Texas history but also so you can decide for yourself how good the likeness from this issue is.  Or you can just check out the pic from my last visit:

Not too shabby.  For some reason the crew heads right back to Fort Worth to see the Log Cabin village and then off to the panhandle for some Palo Duro Canyon sightseeing.   While they're up there they stop by Lubbock, Muleshoe and Happy, TX before heading south to San Antonio:

Like many of us do, Sack and his pals took some time to relax on the River Walk.  Now did this 1972 comic book inspire the filmmakers of the 1984 Dabney Coleman/Henry Thomas film Cloak & Dagger to set a scene on the River Walk?

Probably not, but I'd like to think so.  After a few drinks and some mariachi music, our intrepid explorers were finally willing to brave the humidity of Houston.  Along the way they pick up a hitchhiker who lets them know that Houston has a few surprises in store for them:

After a quick stop at the Battleship Texas it was beach time!  Sun, surf and sand greeting our weary travelers.

These guys just can't seem to sit still though because after a few beach shenanigans they began the long trek towards West Texas.  Anyone who's done that trip knows what a long haul it is.  Luckily, the gang found some interesting stuff along the way:

Just like Big Tex, the World's Largest Jackrabbit is colored all white in the comic.  I assume it's some weird publishing thing or a cost cutting measure or maybe they just mistakenly thought it was white.  For the record, here's what it looked like on my last trip:

Galveston, El Paso, Glen Rose and on and on.  Our trio or sightseers weren't slowing down and the cities, landmarks and attractions were piling up.  What could possibly bring this trip to its conclusion, you ask?

Yep, apparently Texas is so big that they ran out of pages before the gang could see it all.  I guarantee you don't see that kid of thing happen in New Hampshire comics.

Cowboy (Back) Up

Last year we were there when the historic Neon Big Tex came down from his perch at Centennial Liquor on I-35 in Dallas.  It was a roadside highlight along the highway for many years but all good things must come to an end.

But the good news was that our glow-in-the-dark buddy was acquired by the great State Fair of Texas and, just like his historic big brother, will be making yearly appearances at the Fried Food Capital of the World:

You can find him between the Cotton Bowl and the Lagoon during the Fair.  Due to various regulations, he has to come down after the Fair but, rest assured, the plan is to bring him back every year.

So in between corn dogs and Tilt-A-Whirls take some time to visit a little State Fair history in all its bright light glory and feel free to give him a great big "Howdy!"

Cowboy Down

Everyone knows Big Tex.  He's the center piece (and frequent meeting place) at the State Fair of Texas and recently his yearly installation occurred in Fair Park in preparation for the imminent start of the Fair.  However, yesterday, a littler Big Tex had the opposite experience.

The neon Big Tex sign outside Centennial Liquor on I-35 in Dallas has been sold...to the State Fair of Texas.  And as of yesterday he is no longer beckoning thirsty shoppers to come in and buy some hooch.  Here are a few pics we got during the dismantling process:

It's currently in storage now while the Fair decides what to do with it.  The tentative plan is to unveil it at the 2016 State Fair.  We'll be following the story throughout Little Big Tex's journey.

Big Tex Choice Awards 2014

This year the State Fair of Texas celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Big Tex Choice Awards by doing the best thing possible: letting the public attend.  And in a moment of questionable judgement, the even let us in!  After the judging took place all of the attendees got to sample all of the finalists.  So let's break it down:

"Is All This Really Supposed to go Together?" Category

 

Deep Fried Breakfast for Dinner - I've always wondered why more food vendors at the Fair haven't taken advantage of the elements that make up the most important meal of the day.  Sure you can find Deep Fried Biscuits & Gravy but other than that the pickins' are slim.  But this year someone finally figured out that eggs, bacon, cheese, ham and everything else that tastes great at breakfast would taste even better wrapped up and deep fried.  This one works any time of day.

(EMI Score: 8 out of 10)

Twisted Texas Tacos - This one may be an overreach since it seems like the makers were afraid they would leave something out.  Deep fried beef brisket is the star of the show but is joined by all the Texas food favorites they could stuff into a tortilla.  Coleslaw, Mexican cheese and sweet pepper corn try to fight each other for the eater's attention but the best addition to the party is the crispy fried okra.  It made me wish I had a big bowl of it on the side.  My unsolicited opinion would be to not fry the brisket, slap some BBQ sauce on top and call it a day.

(EMI Score: 4 out of 10)

State Fair Brew/Funnel Cake Ale - Remember last year at the Fair when you wished your funnel cake tasked more like beer and your beer tasted more like funnel cake?  Probably not but it seems like Funnel Cake Ale NEEDED to happen anyway.  I would say that the brewers showed a little too much restraint since the flavor is more of a sweetened ale than a remembrance of the deep fried dessert.  If you get one, go all the way and get the "powdered sugar on the rim" option.  Then go get a funnel cake.

(EMI Score: 6 out of 10)

Ball Category

Fried Gulf Shrimp Boil - This is one confounds me.  It's a perfectly fried ball of food and yet for some reason it definitely reminds me of a bowl of gumbo.  It's a popular entry this year but, much like every shrimp dish ever, I wish there was more shrimp in it.  It's worth a slot on your snack roster and definitely wins the prize for best dipping sauce (remoulade).

(EMI Score: 7 out of 10)

Fried Sriracha Balls - I never went all in with the recent sriracha craze but it does make sporadic appearances on my plate.  But for the full-on sriracha fanboy, this one is a must.  However, not surprisingly, if you don't like sriracha, you won't like this.  The perfectly textured bites contain chicken, corn, green chilies and tomatoes which all take a back seat to the sriracha spice.

(EMI Score: 6 out of 10)

Chicken Fried Loaded Baked Potatoes - Footballs are also balls so football-ish shaped food can go in the Ball Category...so there.  Reminiscent of a pierogi, this entry falls victim to a misleading name.  The inside of mine contained some cheese and a small amount of bacon but I wouldn't describe them as "Loaded."  Don't get me wrong, a plate of these would be perfect comfort food on a rainy day but you gotta take things up a notch at the State Fair.

(EMI Score: 5 out of 10)

Dessert Category

Fried Sweet Texas - This one seems to be flying under the radar, maybe because it just makes too much sense.  Imagine a perfect melding of your favorite Texas treats: pecan pie, peach cobbler and buttermilk pie that is deep fried and paired perfectly with vanilla Blue Bell ice cream.  This one is a great match for the Fair.

(EMI Score: 9 out of 10)

Deep Fried Texas Bluebonnet - Calm down, no actual bluebonnets were harm in the making this dish.       This is a clever combination of blueberries, a muffin stuffed with cream cheese, white chocolate and whipped cream.  My only issue is with the blueberry glaze that had a bit of an odd after taste.  Interesting creation, though.

(EMI Score: 7 out of 10)

These are all worth a try individually but if you want to do the State Fair right, you know what you need to do:

It may have been one of the best lunches of my life and I totally recommend it.  And if anyone is questioning the scoring method, the only thing I've given a 10 out of 10 to is Fletcher's Corn Dogs.  So take that as you will.

So here's how the awards break down:

Best Tasting

Big Tex: Fired Gulf Shrimp Boil

EMI: Deep Fried Breakfast For Dinner

Most Creative

Big Tex: Funnel Cake Ale

EMI: Deep Fried Texas Bluebonnet

See you at the Fair!

The X-Men Visit the State Fair

It may be hard to believe but there was a time when I had never read a comic book. But there is a first time for everything and my first comic was a doozy. 1983 gave the world Dexy's Midnight Runners, Scarface and the so-called Video Game Crash of '83.

But more importantly for me, 1983 was the year I finally got my grubby little hands on the first comic book I ever read: "The Uncanny X-Men at the State Fair of Texas."
Sure it might not be Watchmen or The Dark Knight Returns but it had one thing that those two groundbreaking comics didn't...accessibility.

Now I'm not talking about being bogged down with continuity or mega-crossover nonsense. I'm talking about physical accessibility. This issue came as a free supplement to the (now defunct) Dallas Times Herald newspaper. There's nothing better than having your first comic delivered right to your door.

Another accessible element for a seven year old super hero enthusiast residing in rural Texas was the setting: The State Fair of Texas. And to date, it's the only fair visited by the Uncanny X-Men.


Written by Jim Salicrup (plot) and David Kraft (script), with art by Kerry Gammil & Alan Kupperberg (pencils) and Chic Stone (inks), the story is a pretty basic X-Men tale. Magneto is trying to recruit a young mutant in Dallas and Professor Xavier and the X-Men must race to stop him. So off to the fair they go.

Even though they are in a rush to find the new mutant they seem to find time to hit the fair's highlights including the Auto Show, Hall of State, Age of Steam Museum and a concert performance by Lena Horne. Even at a young age I recall thinking of it as a bit of a hard sell:

As much as the X-Men were plugging the the sights, sounds and tastes of the fair to the reader, Magneto was pushing membership to the Brotherhood to the young mutant Daniel (a.k.a. "Eques"). It seems that Daniel's mutant power allows him to turn halfway into a horse with wings (I forget what that's called).

Magneto's plan to woo the young horse boy involves filling him up with corn dogs and cotton candy and treating him to the Texas/OU game at the Cotton Bowl where the X-Men finally catch up to him.

Their fight spills over into the horse barns where Magneto reveals his true douchey colors and Daniel realizes he's been manipulated by smooth talking and deep fried treats. Daniel joins forces with the X-Men along with another new friend who helps give Magneto the boot.

So while Daniel doesn't immediately sign up for X-duty we can assume that everything works out for him and the fair continued with a minimum of super powered altercations.

So like I said, while it's your standard "race to recruit a new mutant before Magneto does" X-Men story, the best part of reading an older comic like this is the advertisements. Since this had a regional audience in mind most of the ads were for local businesses. To make them more "comic booky," a crudely drawn Spider-Man (or Hulk) was typically crammed into each ad. Here are just a few:

My first comic and I were separated over the last few decades but were recently reunited via eBay. And while the influence of nostalgia has probably colored my perception, I still had a good time rereading it. It's definitely not the best comic book I ever read but it holds a special place in the long box of my heart. And more importantly it was a first step toward developing a love of reading through comics.