It was Selena’s only performance at the State Fair. Less than a year later, she was murdered by Yolanda Saldivar.  

Regina Montoya was with her then 7-year-old daughter. Montoya remembers the commotion like it was yesterday.  

“I see a man and I ask him in Spanish, "qué está pasando?" and he tells me 'Selena,'” Montoya recalled. “‘Selena esta aquí, Selena!’”  

Montoya remembers she was on her way to the car show when she saw people running toward the Main Stage to see Selena.

“I’ve never seen that many Latinos here before or since. It was amazing,” Montoya said.   

With a young child, Montoya didn’t want to get lost in the crowd, but watched from afar.  

Philip Morales, now an adult, was only 13 years old. He was able to get closer. On his tiptoes, Morales looked behind him to see the massive audience that had gathered to watch.  

“It was a sense of pride at that young age,” Morales said. “There was somebody on stage that looked like me who looked like my family.”  

Photos of that day shared by the State Fair of Texas show the crowds.

Thirty years later, the State Fair of Texas is celebrating the anniversary with performances by Bidi Bidi Banda and resident artist Sabor Puro.

“She was one of my role models because of her values,” said Sylvia Paola Ortiz, Sabor Puro singer. “The fact she was unapologetically herself everywhere she went, it definitely inspired me to become the woman I am and to be the performer that I am.”  

Ortiz was not yet born when Selena performed, but the singer's legacy has transcended generations. 

Sabor Puro performs original music and covers some of Selena’s songs.  

For Montoya, it speaks volumes about the commitment the State Fair of Texas has had to having a diverse performer.  

“Especially now where Latinos are the biggest group in Texas,” Montoya said. “Over 50% of the kids 18 and under are Latino in Texas. Having this kind of diverse program is important. Thank you to Selena for being there and really launching that.”