Introduction to the State Fair of Texas
The Texas Star Ferris wheel finally started spinning again Friday morning as crowds packed the 2025 State Fair of Texas on opening day of its three week run. Lines of families, older people, children and couples entered the gates of the South Dallas venue at 10 a.m. sharp, many of them quickly heading to one of the most popular — and iconic — spots at Fair Park: Big Tex Circle. Crowds surrounding the 55-foot-cowboy were dressed similarly in adorned cowboy hats and boots, while some fairgoers were decked out in fair merch.
Attending the Fair as a Family Tradition
Married couple Matthew and Kristen Cervantes arrived at the fair around 10 a.m., wearing matching fair shirts and buttons. 42-year-old Kristen Cervantes said she was excited to kick off the day in her State Fair-themed shoes made by Hibbett and Adidas. Only 1,320 pairs were made in the collaboration, but as a dedicated fair fan, Cervantes was able to snag a pair.
Kristen Cervantes, 42, shows off her State Fair-themed shoes made by Hibbett and Adidas on opening day of the State Fair of Texas on Friday Sept. 26, 2025.
Coming to the fair and dressing up on opening day isn’t only a tradition for the couple, but it’s a way to celebrate culture, they said. “It’s the most Texan place on Earth,” she said. The pair has attended the opening day together for the last 13 years. They make sure to buy shirts, buy season passes and request the day off from work in advance, said Matthew Cervantes, 48. “We look forward to opening day every year. This is one of our big days,” he said. “Everyone knows we come.”
Popular Attractions at the Fair
Thirty minutes after opening, a large line was already forming around the historic Fletcher’s corndog stand that is located next to Big Tex.
A mermaid waves from the Pair of Pirates float during the State Fair of Texas opening day parade on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Dallas. Even during the opening day parade as mermaids and dinosaurs danced through crowds on floats, the corndog stand still had a hefty line. Despite there being several Fletcher’s stands throughout the fair, Laurie and Jerry Ewing, said it’s imperative they visit that location ever since one of their first dates happened at the fair back in 1986. “It must be this Fletcher’s. It must be in front of Big Tex,” 61-year-old Laurie Ewing said. “It’s tradition, and it’s fun to listen to him say, ‘Welcome to the State Fair of Texas!’”
Jerry Ewing,
