Maybe we'll try to ride the ferris wheel next year......
Every year, the last Friday of September is like a national holiday in our house for me. I look forward to it every single year. The entire month I dream about deep fried bubble gum, riding the largest ferris wheel in North America, and vendors that try to use pressure me into buying millions of Shammys, Vitamixs, and magical bracelets that promise to cure my ADD (along with cancer, athlete’s foot, acne, weak balance, and 100 other random things!)
Just what is this wonderful day that I speak of? I’m speaking of none other than the largest State fair in the United States; The State Fair Of Texas.
That’s right. The State Fair Of Texas!
I’m not sure when (or why) I became such a fan of the fair (I have to bribe my friends and family to go with me every year) but I am. In fact I even bought a season pass a few years ago! (Did you even know the State Fair had a season pass? Me either, until a few years ago.) 🙂
This year’s fair was especially awesome since I got to bring Noah with me. In fact this time last year my wife was just a few months away from giving birth to Noah, and I remember thinking,
“Wow, how crazy is it that the next time I’m here it will be with baby Noah.”
(Side note: I also had no idea how much our life was about to be forever changed when our little boy would surprise us by being born with a 3rd copy his 21st chromosome in just a few short weeks. That’s one of the best parts about life, it’s an adventure. You never know what God has in store. I love it!)
If you’ve never been to the State Fair of Texas it’s hard to explain it. It’s not your typical fair. For one, they get really into fried food. Like really into it. Like you will die if you eat it into it.
Each year they try to one-up the year before. This year’s big winner was deep fried bubble gum. The year before that; fried Fritos pie. Some of the other honorable mentions include;
In addition to the fried food, there are vendors. Lots and lots of vendors. I’m not going to tell you about the time I was conned bought a machine that allowed me to make my own soft drinks at home, or how the Shammy guy only uses diet coke in his demonstration (I’m not kidding, watch him next time…there’s a reason, but I”m not going to spoil it for you.) I think as a former salesman myself I enjoy watching their hustle. It’s sort of fun.
Another side note: The coolest thing I’ve ever bought at the fair was a Vitamix. We’ve actually owned one for several years, and it’s awesome! You can make soup, ice-cream, or even Sonic Ice in it! (The fact that it makes Sonic Ice alone justifies the purchase.) In fact Vitamix is probably the only vendor at the State Fair whose product actually does what it claims to do. It’s seriously awesome!
I am however sad to report one Fair Fail this year. Yelp, that’s right. Somedays even the biggest State Fair in the United States has it’s off days,and today was one of them.
We wanted to take Noah on the big Ferris Wheel (please don’t write in telling me how un-awesome we are as parents for attempting to take our 10 month old on a Ferris wheel….that’s just how we roll.) We spent the price of a small car to buy tickets for everyone to ride. We waited in line almost an hour. We were excited. We were pumped. We were ready to ride the Ferris Wheel….and guess what happened just as we were about to get on?
The Ferris Wheel worker screamed out,
“SORRY EVERYONE. THE FAIRS CLOSED.“
What!! I thought the billion other people in line with us were going to cause a riot. Why didn’t they tell us that ahead of time? Why didn’t they shut down the line an hour before the Fair Closed? Why did they wait until after we bought tickets (that you can’t get a refund for, nor could you use anywhere else since the fair was now closed) to tell us that the people waiting in line wouldn’t be able to ride the Ferris Wheel?
WHY DID THIS LADY JUST CRUSH MY DREAMS LIKE THAT!??!!
I’ll never know.
All I do know is that I left the state fair a little sad that day. I realized that even the State Fair of Texas, in all of its deep fried glory can have an off day. I guess we’ll try again next year. (But seriously, wasn’t that messed up!?) 🙂
After making today’s video, my wife reminded me of some extra footage I totally forget about! I’m so glad she did, because it’s hilarious! This video starts where the one above ends…with a crowd full of people who just paid for tickets to ride the ferris wheel and waited in a long hot line only to be told that the ferris wheel was closed, and that they had to go home. As you’ll see in this bonus video Noah don’t play when it comes to people messing with his ferris wheel!
As I said (and you are about to see) people are serious about the ferris wheel at the State Fair of Texas! 🙂
Have you ever been to the Sate Fair of Texas? Are you a fan? Yes? No? Why..? If not the State Fair of Texas, have you ever been to any Fair? Do you like them? Hate them? And the real question: have you ever used a Vitamix?
Let’s hear it.
Bitty and Beau’s Coffee is an amazing nationwide coffee shop chain that is much more… Read More
Ever since we took Noah to his very first dance party many years ago, this… Read More
One of the first things our OB/GYN told us after we received our son's Down… Read More
Before the pandemic, my wife and I were both members at Orange Theory Fitness (and… Read More
As the parent of a child with Down syndrome, I have wondered if people with… Read More
I Love Being His Coach! After 18 plus months off due to COVID-19, Noah started… Read More
View Comments
Wisconsin State Fair has THE best cream puffs in the world!!!
Awesome!!! I'm a huge fan of cream puffs. :)
Do they awesome rides? Do you guys ride the rides....! :)
I was waiting for a real SAD story. You're silly!
Hahaha! It WAS sad. We waited a long time to ride that Ferris Wheel! :)
Wow Rick - well it is true you definitely learn something every day - sitting here in West Cork, Ireland I must say I am now truly educated in American delicacies although the deep fried coke and deep fried latte I find really hard to believe! (I wouldnt even know where to start with those ones!!) And must say I had never even heard of a "State Fair" - the closest claim to fame we have here is we are a couple of miles from the location of the worlds shortest St Patricks Day Parade (100 yards - it is literally from the front door of one pub across the road to the front door of the other pub in a little village called Dripsey - and we even make Wiki so check it out!!) - OK no Ferris Wheel or deep fried bubble gum but it still draws a crowd!! And you know what they say the best things come in little packages so if you are passing by on the 17th feel free to call in and say Hi!!
@AlisonNolan:disqus Wow, that sounds awesome, I'm going to have to check that out!
Do you guys go?? I want to see some pictures. :)
Have to agree with you Alison - I love the sound of the State Fair too!! Imagine Deep Fried Butter!!!!! Do you think Down Syndrome Ireland would organise an exchange visit for us to go to Texas??!! My only problem would be the return visit, you would have the beauty of West Cork to show off, Laois probably wouldn't be able to compete with the scenery - I'd have to work on some spectacular culinary invention maybe!!! Am sure work is well underway in Dripsey for the parade this year so hope it all goes well !!!
Well we did live in Roscommon for a few years and I must say we get a lot more house guests now we are in Cork!! LOL!!
Any Laois delicacies Patricia you can impress the Americans with?? Cork has drisheen (type of blood sausage!) and crubeens (boiled pigs feet) but neither are on our menu here!! Rick - there are two more for Wikipedia for you!!
@AlisonNolan:disqus Ummmm..if it's anything like that Vitimate stuff...no thanks!!!!! :)
It would be easier for Laois to compete with Roscommon than West Cork Alison !!!!! Next thing you re going to mention the Clonakilty Black Pudding!!!! Am afraid Laois will be no competition for West Cork lol
@4e7dab3e9b64e4ff079fc447c3c0d902:disqus Wow...you guys have deep fried butter there also?!?!?! We just had those at the State Fair of Texas last year! Is it the same there, as it is here? Sort of like a super buttery roll..?
Hi Rick, no sorry we don't have deep fried butter here....I was just amazed at the thought of it!! Patricia
Our fair has a day just for people with disabilities. We have not gotten to go, only one family member can go with them and we have 3 kids! We have been on other days, but Sarah has AAI of her neck, so she can not ride some rides. She also does not regulate her body temp and does not sweat in the summer, so we have to be careful with heat and ours is always in Aug and that week seems to always have record highs! Hopefully one day we can enjoy the fair.
@2eb65c31bcf94bb413c07376376537ee:disqus Wow, that's kind of messed up that they only let 1 parent go.....wow.
That's super cool that they have a day just for people with disabilities. Do they do anything different on that day, than other days?
My husband and I went to the Texas State Fair with our good friends who are Texans several years ago (pre-babies) and loved it. You are right, COMPLETELY unlike any other fair I have ever been to. Big Tex and the incredibly enormous ferris wheel were just two of the amazing things about the fair. The Cotton Bowl, the Red River Rivalry - I loved it all. When we were there it was deep fried Oreos and Twinkies (just thought thought makes me sick). The corn dogs were the best though! The best I've ever had, anywhere, hands down. Thanks for bringing back some memories, now I want to go back to Texas!
Yah.....!! They do have GREAT corn dogs (they are pricey, but they are GOOD!)
And you guys should come back and visit! We can make a group trip out of it. :)
I grew up in Ohio, Columbus to be exact, and lived and breathed the Ohio State Fair. We saw so many FREE concerts in the Grandstand - Ike and Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, The Beach Boys, ShaNaNa, the Osmonds, Jackson 5, Mac Davis, etc. I spent hours walking the horse barns (which was a thrill for such a city girl), watching horse shows and breathing in the wonderful (really- I loved it) smells of the horses. Do you sense a theme? My girlfriends and I knew every back alley, short cut and areas to avoid (can you say "Midway?") We went to the exhibit halls, quilt shows, 4H demonstrations, cattle auctions, and pie judging. It was pure bliss! It's where I had my first "farmboy" sausage sandwich at the Bob Evan's stand, my first Lemon Shake-Up and State fair fries. I only had a little money to spend once I got in so each food bite had to be the best. You paid for each ride, too, so we didn't do those but once. I think it's also where I developed my love of people watching. In college at OSU, we spent a day at the fair evaluating people in different "work, play or self-care" activities, including interviewing our subjects. I strongly urge everyone to experience any state fair at least once with someone who truly relishes them. Thanks for the memory boost!
@d0968b7f73c8663ca52f087309d16840:disqus yes....!! Someone else who understands the awesomeness that is the State Fair! You sound like a real state fiar pro... :)
You need to get to Texas and come to the state fair with us sometime. We'll do it big!
By the way, we are the same way when it comes to spending money. The fair can be super pricey, so we have to choose our food, and our rides, very carefully!
You can use your fair coupons the next year if you ever buy tomany. I love the fair. I take the kids every yr. usually during the week when it isn't crowded. I don't know why I love it so much. But it's is THE BEST STATE FAIR!!!
Love it!!
(and what week is it not crowded?!?! Please let me in on your secret!)
I lived in Texas for two years when I was first married (husband was in the army at Ft. Hood in Killeen). Now I am sad to say that I missed out..big time, apparently. We never attended the State Fair. :-(
Oh no.....!!
Maybe a good reason to come back and visit....? :)
OH!! Rick and Abbie, I'm sure you probably know about this, but there's a park in San Antonio (and I don't even know how far you are from there) called Morgan's Wonderland...a park for people (adults too, not just children) with disabilities. It's sensory-friendly and totally accessible. It sounds awesome...morganswonderland.com is the address on the web....just FYI, if you haven't already heard! :)
PS...I'm glad it wasn't a huge, monumental, tragic kinda heartbreak. :) Whew!!
We actually have heard about that, and want to go sometime!
Have you guys been??
No...no kids here... =( but I work with tons of them. Would be a nice "professional field trip, though!)
@facebook-684368459:disqus I TOTALLY agree!
What sort of teacher are you? Tell us more...
We tried to take Warren on the ferris wheel at our fair only to find that he didn't meet the height requirement! We were so sad! That was the main reason we went to the fair.
Oh bummer...!
I don't even think the people at the State Fair here check. Hahaha :)