The State Fair of Texas will open its gates next week, and Big Tex is taking his place ahead of the 2023 season.
The iconic 55-foot Texan was lifted by crane into his place at 'Big Tex' Circle on Friday in a lengthy process that started at 10 a.m.
"Today is the day where it feels real," State Fair of Texas Public Relations Manager Taylor Austin said. "To see Big Tex standing in his rightful place in Big Tex Circle, it's coming! This time next week we're gonna have fair-goers buzzing around Fair Park."
Last week, Big Tex showed off his new boots for this year's state fair. The new Lucchese boots were designed by contest winner Jessica Bonilla.
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STATE FAIR OF TEXAS
"I wanted to make sure to include elements that people would resonate with as Texas," Bonilla said. "Like the sunset, you know longhorns, armadillo, things like that that really make people think, oh Texas!"
Big Tex's skeletal structure was originally built in 1949 for a Christmas celebration in Kerens, Texas. After two years in the spotlight as the world's tallest Santa Claus, the Kerens Chamber of Commerce sold the figure to the State Fair of Texas for $750.
Dallas artist Jack Bridges was brought on board to transform Santa into Big Tex.
Big Tex made his State Fair debut in 1952, and after a little engineering, he "found his voice" in 1953. His wave was added in 1997, and three years later, he began to turn his head.
On Oct. 19, 2012, Big Tex was destroyed by an electrical fire, the same year he celebrated his 60th birthday. He returned to the State Fair with a Texas-sized welcome back celebration held on Sept. 27, 2013.
The State Fair of Texas will open in for the 2023 season on Sept. 29 and will run through Oct. 22. Daily admission tickets are available now at BigTex.com/tickets.
"It's like Christmas for us," Austin said. "It's like we've put the Christmas tree us, we're ready to go. All we need are fair-goers!"
