Dallas has become the site of all the biggest and most notable festivals in Texas. Every year, hundreds of tourists come to the city to experience the unique atmosphere of the holiday. Citizens do not miss out on the opportunity to relax, and within a month, they begin to approach their managers at work, requesting a vacation. Learn more at dallaski.
Although Dallas hosts dozens of festivals, only a few have become truly beloved.
State Fair of Texas
The history of the State Fair of Texas dates back to 1886. Over time, it has become an integral part of the identity of the state’s residents. The event takes place at Dallas Fair Park. Every year, hundreds of people come to the grounds of the entertainment complex to honor the state’s cultural heritage and raise national spirit.
Traditionally, the fair begins at the end of September and runs for 24 days. An enormous statue known as Big Tex serves as an indicator that the festival program has begun. It is regarded as a symbol of the Texas festival because it only springs up on public holidays.
Active fairgoers have the opportunity to participate in sports competitions and cultural exhibitions. Others might enjoy traditional Texas cuisine or simply watch the performances of famous stars. Tasting traditional dishes is a must-do for all visitors to the State Fair of Texas. For instance, if you haven’t had corn dog sausages, which are coated in a thick layer of corn flour and fried in oil, you probably haven’t attended the festival.
The State Fair of Texas is not only attended by celebrities but also by politicians. In 1909, William Howard Taft delivered a speech on the fair’s main stage, as did Thomas Woodrow Wilson in 1911. When it comes to the fair’s annual highlights, it is worth mentioning the traditional football match between the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma.
The number of visitors to the State Fair of Texas is steadily increasing, indicating the fair’s development and, of course, popularity.
Big Texas Beer Fest
Another popular event among Dallas locals takes place on the grounds of the Fair Park entertainment complex. However, only the park area beneath the roof is set aside for its program. It’s called the Big Texas Beer Fest. Since 2011, representatives from over 100 local, national and international breweries have gathered here to introduce citizens to their products. They sell beer, cider and hard seltzer. The most important component of the Big Texas Beer Fest is the opportunity to taste craft beer. You can choose between ale, lager, stout and other sorts of beer. Fortunately, there is more than just beer available to the attendees of the event. The organizers also invite musicians and set up food trucks serving delicious hot dogs, burgers and potatoes.
To visit the festival you need to buy a ticket. In 2023, its cost was 45 dollars. The Big Texas Beer Fest, however, is exclusively open to individuals over the age of 21. Even with these restrictions, thousands of people want to take part in the festival. The event organizers recommend that you arrive at Fair Park by public transportation because, despite an increase in parking spaces, there are still not enough.
Plano Balloon Festival
Plano, located in the northern suburbs of Dallas, is known for its annual Balloon Festival. It has been held at Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve for over 40 years. The festival program attracts an average of 90,000 participants. However, people’s opinions on the Plano Balloon Festival vary due to the fact that every year the Plano Balloon Festival undergoes certain changes.
The weather is undoubtedly the festival’s biggest drawback. Unfortunately, it has frequently failed people willing to travel long distances to see balloons high in the sky. The event had to be completely canceled for the first time in its history in 2018 when a downpour started just as the festival was about to begin. However, five launches are normally planned if the day promises to be sunny and windless. The festival program is complemented with concert performances and fireworks. There are numerous free attractions and sweets available for young guests at the Balloon Festival. The evening portion of the festival is equally exciting. After the sun sets, the pilots simultaneously fire the burners under their domes, creating an amazingly stunning view.
Dallas Blooms
Everyone in Dallas associates the arrival of spring with green trees, songbirds and blooming seasonal flowers. People often talk about cherry blossoms in Japan and tulip fields in the Netherlands, but only a few pay enough attention to the distinctive richness of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Blooms takes place here for six weeks at the start of spring. The festival’s main decoration consisted of almost 500,000 different types of flowers.
Fields of fantastic tulips, azaleas and other flowers are not the only reason to attend the festival. Many people are drawn to the opportunity to participate in the festival’s “Birds in Paradise” program. As part of this program, all Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden visitors are able to observe parrots that have been rescued by humans and relocated to a quieter environment away from the city noise. Furthermore, the park staff, who are well-versed in bird handling, provide guidance on how to interact with parrots and which trees should be planted at home to attract the attention of local birds.
To witness the splendor of the Dallas Blooms firsthand, you should purchase tickets in advance. After all, everyone wants to visit the park during the peak flowering season, so reservations for the finest days are booked quickly.
Deep Ellum Community Arts Fair
In 2022, Dallas was shaken by the announcement that one of the biggest art festivals, Deep Ellum, was going to close. According to art critics, the event has been held annually for more than a quarter of a century, indicating that it is no longer “viable” and should be replaced. The community responded so strongly that experts were forced to publicly apologize for their statements. The next challenge was the announcement by festival founder Stephen Millard that he was retiring and that the festival should not continue due to its high expenses. However, thanks to the efforts of public activists, Deep Ellum continued operations.
The Deep Ellum Community Arts Fair is held annually over Memorial Day weekends. The event’s major goal is to assist the development of urban artists while also honoring the memory of those who have previously worked.
Breonny Lee, the festival’s executive director, stated that the fair is first and foremost devoted to the works of Dallas writers, then Texas artists and last – American. The festival takes place on Crowdus Street. Tents are set up along the alleys. Within each, an exhibition dedicated to a specific artist is organized. Everyone is welcome to come and hear stories about the artist’s life and the genres in which they worked, as well as see examples of their best work.