Family Fun at the Fair

Last Friday, we surprised the kids by pulling them from school early (a rarity for us!), and whisked them to the State Fair of Texas. The Fair is known as one of Dallas' signature events, and has taken place virtually every year since 1886! I grew up going to the fair with my grandfather, so when we moved back to Texas, it was so special to resume the tradition with my kids.

The train makes everything more fun...especially when it drops you at the front gates of the Fair!

Big Tex, a talking, waving, 55-foot cowboy greets us, and we take the obligatory picture with him.

Everything is bigger in Texas, right? Including the Fair....with everything from a 300,000 square foot Auto Show, a 212-foot ferris wheel (the largest in North America...and something I'll never ride again!), BMX stunt shows, pig and ostrich races, a full barnyard, and every conceivable fried food. Seriously...even fried Coke and fried butter!

The barnyard isn't just pigs and rabbits...the kids can pet and feed baby kangaroos, giraffes, camels, longhorns and zebras.

We tried a few of this year's unique foods, but we always go back to good ole Fletcher's corny dog.

Yep, those are jockeys on ostriches. Did you know they weigh 450-pounds!? (The ostrich, not the jockeys.)

We spent the afternoon touring the shows and exhibits, but my favorite is when night falls...first the parade, then the midway lights up like Vegas.

Mr. Sugarplum sticks to the easier rides with Sloan, and Jackson and I hit the vomit-rockets.

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day, and everyone was still all-smiles on the 10pm train home! Thanks for the memories, Big Tex, see you next year!

Don't my kids look so cute? To be sure they'd be comfortable for the long day, they both wore their favorite Tucker + Tate shirts. Along with Mini Boden, it's my favorite kid's line. The clothes are well-made, they launder great, and the kids agree they are soft and comfy. Which is high-praise, because you know how kids are about scratchy clothes!!!

I was comfortable in an outfit similar to this one...shorts, a gray hoodie, jean jacket, and sneakers...and kept my hands free by carrying a small crossbody bag.

Do you visit the state fair in your state? Have you ever tried fried butter...I'm here to say, it's dang good!

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** This post is written in collaboration with Nordstrom for Tucker + Tate. All opinions and queasy stomach are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors! **