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East Texas State Fair 2011

September 30th, 2011

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.

 

 

East Texas State Fair

September 12th, 2010

East Texas state fairThe 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.

Cool Videos from the East Texas State Fair

Sand Sculpture

Fried Foods

Texas Longhorns

East Texas State Fair and The State Fair of Texas

July 26th, 2010

Don’t look now but we’re about two thirds of the way through the summer of 2010! If you take into account that the start of school is only three weeks or so away, it seems like the end of the season is even more eminent. Despite the heat, busyness and stress that comes with it, I love the summer! But aside from the fact that it signals a return to the routine of school, fall is one of my favorite times of year. The cooling weather, a hot cup of Joe and a new book, the start of football, the height of the baseball season… I could go on describing the nostalgia of autumn, but I’ll wait until it rolls around and revel in it then. I only bring it up because one of the signs that summer is winding down, is the annual state and local fair. While they’re a little more than a month and a half away yet, I’ve started to notice the ad work beginning again.

The East Texas State Fair

The East Texas fair was always a big event when I was growing up. I remember getting passes from school every year. My buddies and I often spoke of attending like it was some kind obligation that we had, but preferred not to be bothered with it. The fact is though once there, I know we always had a good time. I don’t really remember what we did exactly except socialize over fair food and the like but we always managed to make it home tired out nonetheless.

This year the East Texas State Fair celebrates its ninety fifth season. It runs from September, twenty third to October, third. This year’s attractions include a series of concerts, all new rides, and of course a lot of vendors serving up that healthy and delicious fair food, (well it is delicious, that much is true). The event is always a big draw for our area and promises to bring in much needed dollars to Tyler. The event will be held at its usual location on West Front, in Tyler, while we in the community await the completion of the new facilities at The Park of East Texas. I looked around in a vain effort to establish the date of its completion but I couldn’t find one. If any readers know when the fair is expected to move into its new digs, please leave a comment.

General admission is eight dollars for adults, five for children six to twelve years old and free for children under that. Carnival ticket are separate however and cost a dollar twenty five per ticket or twenty five dollars for a book of twenty two tickets. Arm bands, are also available by the day, for twenty five dollars and allows the visitor unlimited rides for the day. For more information on the East Texas State Fair visit the web site at http://www.etstatefair.com/fair.php.

The State Fair of Texas

Located in Dallas Texas, The State Fair of Texas officially formed in 1887, and has a long and illustrious history. Since its formation it has played host to many notable guests, and participants. Over the generations it has grown into the premier state fair in the country and the fair’s mascot “Big Tex” is recognized all over the nation. This year the event will run from September the twenty seventh, through October seventeenth at Fair Park. Attractions include a double dose of the usual rides and concert entertainment, tons of fried fair food, auto shows and even a Few Texas Football games thrown in for good measure. Although I must admit that this description doesn’t really do justice to the proceedings! All of Texas is at this fair! There really is something for everyone there.

General admission is fifteen dollars, seniors and children eleven dollars and kids under two are free.  Fair admission on game days is free, with a game day ticket. (All football games are held in the Cotton Bowl Stadium, obviously). Parking at events like this can be a problem, but for those who choose to use the fairgrounds space, its only fifteen dollars. Visitors can also park off site and ride the Dart monorail to the park entrance. To see more specific information on this great Texas Event and its attractions, visit the website at http://www.bigtex.com/sft/index.asp.

East Texas State Fair Farmer’s Market

June 2nd, 2010
East Texas State Fair Farmers Market

East Texas State Fair Farmers Market

I’ve heard it said that every man has at least one good novel in him, I hope that is true. I think it is also true that most people have a have a gardener in there somewhere. I very much enjoy the process of experimenting with different plants and watching things grow in Tyler TX. For me however the journey is something of its own reward. I am a nominal gardener at best. I generally do ok, and I enjoy eating the fresh fruits and vegetables I grow, but I certainly don’t produce enough to supply all my nutritional needs. In recent years I have less time to devote to the pursuit of gardening, but I definitely miss the process, as well as the fresh food.

The East Texas State Fair Farmer’s Market has as its mission to “promote a sense of community within the City of Tyler, to bring fresh local food to the public and to provide farmers and producers a place to sell their goods at a reasonable price.” For those of us who don’t have our own farms or gardens, the Farmers Market offers access to quality local produce. Not only does the community stand to eat better, but the money spent at the market stays home in Tyler. And the venue offers more than just fruits and vegetables. There are booths that sell fresh eggs, honey, stone ground corn meal, even craft items like quilted goods and candles as well.

The Farmers Market is open three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday), from seven in the morning to one in the afternoon. It runs from May eight to August fourteenth. For those interested in becoming a vendor at the local Farmer’s Market there is a fairly extensive application as well as a list of rules. Interested readers can find the application by going to http://www.etstatefair.com/documents/ETSFFARMERSMKTVENDORCONTRACT2010.pdf. For general info visit: http://www.etstatefair.com/farmers-market.php. Different products peak at different times obviously, so I also recemend checking out the market’s Facebook page in order to see what kind of produce is likely to be available. Just click on the link below to go to the site directly.  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tyler-TX/East-Texas-State-Fair-Farmers-Market/10150123220645427?filter=1,

So while I may not have time to grow my own garden this year, I can still enjoy the freshest possible food and keep more of my dollars home in East Texas.

Childrens Clothing Consignment Sale is Going On Now!

April 8th, 2010

We have written about the CCCS sale before but it is going on this weekend and even right now, TODAY! people. Go check it out. They fill up the Harvey Convention Center with tons of clothing.

The clothing is hand me down gently used kids clothes from moms in Tyler. These moms all get together and have this gigantic sale at the Harvey Convention Center right next to the East Texas state fair.

So go check it out, it is only going on for a little while.