Texas State Fair celebrates 125 years

It's that time of year again!

The Texas State Fair runs Sept. 30 to Oct. 23 and features a variety of educational exhibits, shows, art contests, thrill rides and food.

Open from 10 a.m. to midnight (or later for the midway), the fair provides entertainment for just about everyone. While popular attractions and family events such as the Pee Wee Stampede and  Illumination Sensation fireworks return this year, expect to experience new attractions, vendors and fried foods.

This year the State Fair will introduce the Greenhouse on the Midway.

According to an official press release posted on the bigtex.com website, the Greenhouse will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Visitors can cool off with misters and enjoy Farmer Mike the Pumpkin Carver and various flora and fauna.

At night a show called the Electric Light Show Greenhouse occurs at 15-minute intervals until 10 p.m.

While the Greenhouse provides a more traditional garden experience, it is not the only garden exhibit at the fair.

Besides the lagoon, located behind the Children's Aquarium, you will find the State Fair Fall Garden Exhibition. The exhibit features local artists and landscaping companies displaying their respective creations.

One of these local artisans is long-time DCCCD student Pascal Pryor. French by birth, Pryor lives in Oak Cliff with her daughter. She began taking art classes at Brookhaven College, moved to Northlake College for ceramics and transferred to Mountain View College, where she found her passion for metal sculpture.

Pryor said she doesn't know specifically when she decided on a career as an artist, but said, "When I was a child I always used to dream about being a big artist . . . I've always done it [artwork] for fun. I do it for my sanity."

The artwork on display at the fair includes two pieces titled "Serenity" and "Tree Gate."

Pryor says her first sculpture provides "serenity in the middle of loudness." Quoting personal friend Roger Kallenburg, Pryor called "Tree Gate" a response to living in gated communities.

"If we are going to live behind gates, at least let's not live behind bars."

Still other newcomers  to the State Fair

express their creativity in fried foods.

Some of the vendors appearing for the first time this year include Crispies, Cassie's Frozen Yogurt and Island Spot, where you can explore the Jamaican menu.

The winners of the 2011 Big Tex Food Choice Awards represented two categories, best tasting and most creative. Buffalo Chicken in a Flapjack and Fried Bubblegum won respectively.

Some of the finalists included Hans' Kraut Balls, Fried Pineapple Upside-down Cake, and El Bananarita.

Want to try something new? Then try the Fried Naked Tamales, Texas Steak Cone or Heavenly Deep Fried Brownie to satisfy your cravings.