Texas State Fair
Every year the great state of Texas holds an equally great state fair that runs throughout most of October. The fair hosts plenty of classic activities like livestock and pie contests, creative art competitions, and a midway stocked with plenty of rides and attractions. Of course, this is Texas we’re talking about, so other highlights include a chili and barbecue cook-off, beer and wine gardens, college football at the Cotton Bowl Stadium, an auto show, and over 75 musical acts on the Chevrolet main stage.
The Texas State Fair takes place in Fair Park in Downtown Dallas, and there’s plenty of parking to be had around the perimeter. General admission is $18 at the gate or $40 for a season pass, and while food and rides are extra, you can get a good deal by buying online.
GrapeFest
Texas may not be as famous for its grapes and wines as it is for other things, but to those in the know, September is a month to celebrate the grape harvest and the newest batch of Texas wines.
Grapevine, Texas, may be a suburb of Dallas, but it leads the way in these celebrations with GrapeFest, an annual music and wine festival that takes place this year on September 15 to 18. There are plenty of activities and events suitable for visitors of all ages, including live music, golf, tennis, wine tastings, and the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic competition.
General admission is free on Thursday and Friday until 5 p.m., and after that admission ranges from $5 to $18 depending on age and the number of days, plus extra for certain events. The main event takes place along North Main Street, and while there are paid parking lots in easy walking distance, there are also several free lots with complimentary shuttles located farther away.
Denton Main Street Arts and Autos
Denton’s own festival takes place in the downtown area on Saturday, September 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. People from miles around bring their restored classic cars and ultra-modified hotrods in the hopes of winning the cash prize for Best in Show, and the thousands of visitors can enjoy live entertainment as they look at all the amazing vehicles. The other main attraction is Chalk Fest, a street chalk competition with open registration and prizes for four age categories. Attendance is free, but you’ll still want to bring your wallet for food and other vendors.
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and that includes state and local fairs and festivals. Fall may be a time when the temperature goes down, but in Texas you’ll be sure to find plenty of people out on the fairgrounds enjoying what the harvest and the fine Dallas weather have to offer.
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