I went to the East Texas State Fair a few days ago on my lunch break and visited everything going on there. I didn’t ride any rides but I did go by the petting zoo, art contest building, business booth area, and the photography contest setup, the food area, an eco/farm building, and I watched some animal showings.
I didn’t end up buying any food but if I had I probably would have gone with a Purple Pig barbeque sandwich and some pie from the Trinity Lutheran shed.
For some reason this years fair seemed kind of blah. Maybe it was because the Pure Energy Band guys were there again touting the healing effects of a plastic bracelet with a hologram sticker.
I would say my favorite things I saw were the art in the art contest building, the petting zoo, and the baby chicks.
I no longer like riding fair rides because I don’t like the spinning sensation in my head.
I recommend the fair for taking your kids to especially for the petting zoo (which is free).
As far as going to the fair for the food…the only thing worth going out of your way for might be the pies at the Trinity Lutheran booth. Stay away from the Turkey Legs, those things are tough as tires and I learned that lesson several years ago.
The crazy drivers, the fried food, the nauseating rides, the biggest cattle around; that is right! The East Texas State Fair is back. So ignore all roads near the Tyler Rose Garden from September 23 until October 3. During the Tyler TX fair times the drivers are so impatient and decide to slam on there breaks right in the middle of the road.
State Fairs are known for the fried food, roller coasters, cattle competitions, and entertainers. East Texas’s fair is no different. The vendors fry anything, including candy bars, ice cream, cakes, and even butter. The idea of frying butter or Snicker bars just sounds really to gross for me. I do not understand the hype about fair food. I just want to go home, take a shower, and brush the coats of grease off of my teeth after eating there. Plus there is something about the kids throwing up all their food after getting off the quick spinning rides that makes me not want to eat ever again.
You may be thinking that I am a prude that just hates fairs. In a way you are right they are dirty, there is a thick cloud of smoke all through the fair grounds, and the most of the shows are cheesy and annoying. Although I love roller coasters, I do not like to ride on roller coasters that break down and gets re-set up. I have been on rides that I got stuck on and rides that broke.
There are things I love about the Tyler fair, like the art shows. It is amazing to see the talent of East Texas. I really love to look at other people’s paintings, drawings and photographs. The fair offers many scholarships for East Texan high school seniors. Many businesses sponsor the fair and also show off their businesses. They have booths to explain their businesses, and some are trying to higher employees and interns. They have many cattle shows and competitions. For all the rules and information for both livestock competitions and junior livestock competitions you can visit their website. Their also is horticulture competitive exhibits, and pasture and wildlife plant identification contest.
Many people have a great time at the Tyler TX fair, and many kids love the animals, rides, cheesy kid’s entertainers, bright lights, and finding the fattest cows and pigs. It is amazing how kids can look through the clouds of smoke, the litter on the ground, the rude people, and the horrible parking; and they just see the games that you five bucks to play and win a two dollar prize, and cool car shows, ice cream, and cotton candy.
The fair has days that you can bring canned food and get in free. I think this is a great way to give back to the community. The East Texas State fair really does offer great opportunities for all different people in Tyler for scholarships and jobs.
