DALLAS — The annual State Fair of Texas came to an end Sunday, and although it was a very different experience in 2020 due to the ongoing coronavirus, it is being hailed a success.
Many of the attractions were available via a 15-day drive-thru event, and organizers said they hosted nearly 23,000 vehicles. Among the attractions was a Big Tex Photo Drive-Thru.
There was also a limited livestock market show.
“While we are disappointed we weren’t able to host the 2020 State Fair of Texas as we had hoped, due to COVID-19, we are thankful for all the folks who have joined us for our alternative offerings to help continue the tradition of celebrating all things Texan this year,” said Mitchell Glieber, State Fair of Texas president. “As the 2020 State Fair season comes to a close, we look forward to better times ahead and Big Tex welcoming fairgoers back for the 2021 State Fair of Texas, as we celebrate 135 years of an iconic Texas tradition next year.”
Among the highlights, more than 32,000 photos were taken with a masked Big Tex, the 72nd Annual Big Tex Youth Livestock auction raised more than $1 million for youth livestock exhibitors throughout Texas, and the fair hosted more than 24,000 socially distanced fans for the AT&T Red River Showdown.
The 2021 State Fair of Texas is scheduled for September 24 through October 17.