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The State Fair of Texas has been around for more than 100 years, and the Texas FFA has been involved with the fair since our inception in 1929. The first meeting called a convention was held in conjunction with the State Fair of Texas where Howard Strother, the first President of the Texas Association of the Future Farmers of America, was elected. In fact, the first five state conventions where held in conjunction with the State Fair of Texas. Today, many of our members participate in the activities and competitive events hosted by the State Fair of Texas. For the 64th year, the State Fair of Texas has hosted an Honor Awards Banquet for 4-H, FFA, and FCCLA (formerly FHA) state officers.

The official opening ceremonies of the fair on Friday, September 24th, was a spectacular event. The Texas FFA Officers attended the President’s reception prior to the ribbon-cutting hosted by the State Fair of Texas president, Errol W. McKoy, underwritten by Landmark Nurseries. Texas Commissioner of Agriculture, Todd Staples, made a surprise visit to the reception. All state officers were recognized, and the state presidents from each organization (FFA, 4-H and FCCLA) were given a belt buckle.  

State FFA, 4-H, and FCCLA Officers at the State Fair
Opening Ceremonies and Ribbon-Cutting.

Following the President’s reception, the state officers and other special guests were invited to attend the official opening and ribbon cutting. The event included a “football” theme and honored special guests including Cowboy Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Roger Staubach. The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps performed during the event, and Texans all over the park sang “God Bless America” to kick-off the official opening of the State Fair of Texas.

Rain didn’t stop the state officers as they spent a majority of the next day, Saturday, touring the fair and eating fried food. They visited the Ford car show and talked to “Hank,” Ford’s robot, tasted many “Go Texan” products in the Food and Fiber Pavilion, watched the Dog Show, and tried more than seven different kinds of fried foods including fried PB&J, fried Oreos, and fried pecan pie!

The State Fair of Texas runs Sept 24^th – Oct 17^th, 2010, at Fair Park - Dallas, Texas. The fair includes hundreds of activities including a children’s barnyard, musical entertainment on the Chevy Main Stage, Livestock Exhibitions, a milking parlor, Dog Shows, pig races, “Go Texan” products at the food and fiber pavilion, BMX bike shows, Big Tex, several college football games including the Red River Rivalry (Longhorns vs. Sooners), Car shows, and the countless assortment of fried food. For more information visit www.bigtex.com.

Remember that Agricultural Awareness Day will be held at the Fair on Oct 5^th, and all FFA members are invited.  Activities for the day will begin at 8:00 a.m. with our annual food drive where the "Youth of Texas Give Back". Be sure your group participates in the new and improved AgriQuest Competition (scavenger hunt encompassing the grounds) where you can discover how Agriculture is ingrained in our every day lives in its different forms. The Awards presentation for both the Food Drive and AgriQuest Competition will be held at noon on the Chevy Main State to accommodate those of you on tight bus schedules. Click here for more information.

If you have not had a chance to visit the State Fair or Texas, it is definitely worth a visit! Support the students exhibiting livestock and competing in speaking events. Give a wave to “Big Tex” as you enter Fair Park. And try a few plates of fried food. The State FFA Officers recommend the Fried PB&J just outside the Food and Fiber Pavilion where “Agriculture is your CULTURE.”