Lots of people made their first visit to the 2013 State Fair of Texas on Sunday, the fair's final day.
Late Sunday, organizers told NBCDFW that they predict fairgoers spent $37 million of food and amusement rides. That's second to the 2010 amount of $37.3 million.
"I always wait until the last minute,” said Chris Weilane of Dallas. “My girlfriend, Stacy said the fair ends Monday we need to go."
When we told Chris the fair actually ends Sunday he replied, "Okay. Last day? Made it!"
Made it in time for a first and last Fletcher's Corny Dog and selfie's in front of the new Big Tex. Oh yes, everyone's still talking about the new Big Tex.
"Just wanted to see what he's like," said Trenda Martin of Carrollton. "Television shows him one way and just wanted to see him in person. He's different. Quite different."
Throughout the 2013 State Fair the new Big Tex got mixed reviews. NBCDFW asked Sue Gooding, the State Fair of Texas spokesperson if we can expect any changes on him.
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"We're going to soften some features and he will have more movements in the years to come," said Gooding "We've also talked about adjusting his waistline a bit, we think it's a little too low."
Gooding explained the first time fair officials saw the new Big Tex was when he was erected right before the fair so there was no time to make any changes even if they wanted to.
People seem to appreciate the new seating area around Big Tex. Specifically a group of ladies which includes a couple of ex-sister-in-laws who hadn't seen each other in about 30 years.
"We talked to each other occasionally on Facebook," said Pat Reimers of Lewisville about her ex-sister-in-law Shirley Hedlund of Arlington. "She [Hedlund] posted yesterday she wanted to go to the fair and I said, 'okay, let's do this."
"We knew each other in junior high and we used to do those crazy, silly girl things and I always remember those things and now we can come here and do those things again and all legal," joked Hedlund.
A great day and a perfect spot for a reunion.
"The State Fair is awesome and we wanted to come see Big Tex and see if he's changed any," said Hedlund laughing. "He's got some sharp-looking boots on baby."
Attendance totals for the 2013 State Fair of Texas aren’t out yet, but Gooding said the final Saturday of the fair felt like one of the most crowded days she’d seen in her 32 years with the fair. She said some vendors ran out of food and had to order more overnight for the final day.
