A family tradition since 1886, the State Fair of Texas commemorates all things important to the state: food, agriculture, community, football and family. Located just miles away from downtown Dallas, Fair Park spans 277 acres of museums, food courts and the world’s largest collection of Art-Deco structures.

Fairgoers can expect Texas-sized amounts of fair foods and activities for any age. Adults can enjoy beers in the Magnolia B
eer Garden, and even sample an original state fair brew — funnel cake ale. Families and kids alike can visit livestock exhibits and spend coupons on countless rides and games.

55-foot tall Big Tex has greeted crowds into Fair Park with waves and welcome messages since 1952. His size reinforces the truism everything really is bigger in Texas. He resides in front of Cotton Bowl Stadium, where the annual Red River Showdown takes place between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners.

The Texas State Fair and great food go hand in hand. This year the 2015 Big Tex Choice Award Winners included Fernie’s Holy Moly Carrot Cake Roly for “Best Tasting” and the Smokey Bacon Margarita took “Most Creative.” I tried a lot of the foods that the fair had to offer this year, but my favorites were still the regular fair staples. You can find some of the best lemonade and funnel cakes anywhere inside the fair grounds.