East Texas State Fair Has Fun For All Ages

The fair is coming and it is definitely one of the best times of the year!  This year's East Texas State Fair offers just about something for everyone, no matter what your age is!

Many people head to the East Texas State Fair grounds and Harvey Hall for the thrilling rides, many go to sample the local cuisine that's offered by local organizations, fair goers will most likely try something fried or on a stick, they also come out to the fair for the animal exhibits, the arts and crafts fair, to sample many products and of course to be entertained by racing pigs, high divers and musicians!  There is plenty of all those things at this years' annual event.

Among the special shows during this years is a show featuring stilt walkers, the Miracle of Life Birthing Center, sand sculptures, cowboy boot camp, a petting zoo, sword swallower, an extreme high diving show and more.  The concert series will be headlined by J.B. and the Moonshine Band, Restless Heart, Erin Kinsey, Urban Rescue, Hudson Moore, Tracy Bird, Jeff Allen and more!  While at this years' fair, also be on the lookout for the Sour Jacks candy booth.  Sour Jacks will be sampling their newest flavors and playing games where you can win some serious swag from them - that's if your mouth can take all the 'sourness'!

The fair will open Friday, September 23rd and will be open daily through Sunday, October 2nd.  Gates open daily at 2 p.m. (10 a.m. on weekends) and closes at 11 p.m.  Tickets are affordable, they're just $10 bucks for adults, $6 for kids and those under 5 are free!  The carnival rides open at 4 p.m. daily (12 noon on weekends) and require either tickets or wristbands to ride.

We've covered the shows and concerts, ticket prices and the rides but what about the food?  There will be plenty and since it's 'fair food' THERE'S NO CALORIES!  Ok, we could only wish right!  Just think to yourself, it doesn't count because I'm having a great time at the fair!  Now, where can I get a funnel cake, corn dog and fresh squeezed lemonade?

There's also livestock exhibits and competitions that will take place during the fair featuring some young East Texan's and their prized animals along with other competitions including photography, pie baking, woodworking and more,

The fair is more than the fried delicacies though, it's more than the thrilling rides, it's more than the games on the midway, it's more than the competitions, the East Texas State Fair operates on the principal of education, entertainment and in the spirit of competition.  The fair also gives back to Tyler, Smith County and East Texas with scholarships.  Since 1992, the East Texas State Fair has given out more than $413,000 in educational scholarships to East Texas students!  So when you pay your admission, purchase tickets for the rides or buy something deliciously fried on a stick, you're helping to support the education of many East Texas students!

For more complete details and a schedule of events for this year's East Texas State Fair, just jump on over to their website and enjoy yourself at the fair this year!