Today is the 70th birthday of Big Tex!
Though this current incarnation is only 10-years-old, Big Tex made his debut on October 4, 1952, after being sold to the State Fair by a man from Kerens, TX, who initially used the 52-foot tall statue as the world's largest Santa Claus.
Today, Big Tex is 3 feet taller, and cost a little more than the $750 the State Fair bought it for in 1952; the modern-day Big Tex cost $500,000 to build!
Still, for history's sake, we are celebrating Big Tex's 70th birthday today, and the State Fair has plenty of gifts to offer YOU in honor of our favorite giant Texan!
Per Dallas News, today only, the State Fair will be offering:
-Desserts are available to the public for free, while supplies last
-Nearly all day (noon to 9 p.m.): Midway rides are half-price
-10:30 a.m.: Get a slice of a Big Tex-sized cake at Big Tex Circle
-12:30 p.m.: Cheers to Tex with a birthday float made with Dr Pepper and Blue Bell ice cream at the Go Texan Pavilion
-2:30 p.m.: Chef Jason Blackwell, who goes by the name j.Black, is making a special dish for the cowboy's birthday during a celebrity chef demo at the Creative Arts Building
-5:30 p.m.: Sing "Happy Birthday" with Coffey Anderson at Big Tex Circle
-6 p.m.: Stop into the Chevy Ride & Drive event for "cookie happy hour" in honor of Big Tex
Happy Birthday, Big Tex!
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