- Autumn at the Arboretum — Bring the whole family to the Dallas Arboretum. Come see thousands of rare and unique pumpkins covering the beautiful gardens. Don't miss the 15 foot pumpkin house and 10 foot pumpkin topiary. Don't forget to stop by the Harvest Cider House for some tasty fall treats. The event begins September 20 to November 2, admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors (65+), $5 for children (ages 3-12) and free for children ages 2 and under. For more information, call 214-515-6500.
- Best on the Block: Quilt Mania II — Dallas County quilters have created some of the most intricate and exciting blocks for the Quilters Guild of Dallas annual Block Contest. This exhibit feature seventeen quilts from the past twenty years of the Block Contest from "Snowflakes" to "Under the Sea," to "Dallas Past." Best on the Block truly shows the diversity and creativity of Dallas culture. The exhibit runs from Oct. 9- Mar. 11 at the Old Red Museum. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $5 for children. For more information call 214-745-1100 or visit www.oldred.org.
- The State Fair of Texas — For 24 days, families can enjoy the very best in exhibits, entertainment, livestock events, and rides. Be sure to see Big Tex and try the fair's renowned Fletcher corny dogs and notorious fried foods, including this year's winning pick, chicken-fried bacon. For more information, visit http://www.bigtex.com/generalinfo/ticketsparking/.
- Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs — This exhibit provides insight into the life of Tutankhamun and other royals of the 18th Dynasty. Tutankhamun was one of the last kings of Egypt's 18th Dynasty and ruled during turmoil times. More than fifty of Tutankhamun's burial objects including his royal diadem, as well as several non-royal individuals will be displayed. The exhibit runs from Oct. 3 - May 17 at the Dallas Museum of Art. For more information call 214-922-1803. Westin Galleria is a preferred vendor and has packages that start at $219.
- Dallas Cowboys — Watch the Cowboys play their last season at Texas Stadium before moving to their new home in Arlington. Games run through December; for the 2008 regular-season schedule visit www.dallascowboys.com.
- Dallas Mavericks — On October 30, the Mavs embark on their 29th season battling the Houston Rockets. For tickets visit www.nba.com/mavericks or call 214-747-MAVS.
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This year marks the 220th anniversary of the State Fair of Texas. In honor of Big Tex, fried foods and the legendary Cotton Bowl Classic, here are some standout dates during the State Fair's tenure.
- In 1909, William Howard Taft is the first president of the United States to visit the State Fair of Texas.
- In 1916, the State Fair's attendance tops one million for the first time.
- Since 1929, the legendary Texas-OU football game has been played every year.
- In 1937, the first Cotton Bowl Classic is played in Fair Park. A crowd of 12,000 watches TCU edge Marquette.
- In 1942, corny dogs were invented by State Fair concessionaires Carl and Neil Fletcher.
- In 1951, R.L. Thornton purchases a large Santa Clause figure from the Kerens Chamber of Commerce and Commission's local artist Jack Bridges to make a giant cowboy out of the material.
- In 1952, Big Tex made his first State Fair appearance.
- In 1953, Big Tex talks for the first time. He says "Howdy" about 60 times a day during the State Fair each day.
- In 1956, the State Fair highlighted a show by the then-21 year old Elvis Presley. More than 26,000 teenagers attended, breaking all attendance records for an outdoor concert in the state of Texas.
- In 1985, the 212-foot Texas Star, the tallest Ferris wheel in North America is built in Italy and moved to Fair Park in time to operate during the fair.
- In 2008, Chicken-Fried Bacon won Best taste at the State Fair's Big Tex Choice Awards.
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