This year, Big Tex is saying goodbye to one of his giant accessories: the face mask.
Last year, he dawned the mask for the first time ever during a modified, drive-thru fair experience. But this year the fair is coming back in full force-- just not the mask.
Officials with the State Fair of Texas say the giant cowboy has been fully vaccinated, and at 55-feet-tall, he’ll be plenty socially distanced. It’s a similar story for fairgoers.
"Unless otherwise required by government mandate … masks will not be required for fully vaccinated individuals," says fair spokesperson Karissa Condoianis. "If you are not vaccinated, all guests, staff, vendors and contractors will be strongly encouraged to wear a mask."
Even those who have already been vaccinated are asked to bring a mask, just in case they need to wear them indoors. Condoianis says fair officials are also working to keep the celebration as socially distanced as possible. Some events are being moved from their typical locations to allow space for people to spread out.
"We're constantly in conversations evaluating the latest guidance and protocols as they emerge from the national, state and local levels," Condoianis says. "We encourage people who are eligible to get vaccinated."
To help, a vaccine clinic will actually be set up on the fairgrounds, near Big Tex. Anyone who gets their first shot there will be given $20 in fair coupons. There will also be more than 500 sanitation stations on the fairgrounds, and more than 300 will be touchless.
Condoianis says at this point, the surge in COVID-19 cases hasn't caused ticketholders or fair vendors to cancel - so the fair is expected to be hustling and bustling.
The State Fair of Texas runs from Sept. 24 to Oct. 17 and season passes and season tickets are already on sale.
Related
