The first day and night of the State Fair of Texas appears to be a great success, with at least one vendor running out of food. The fair runs through Oct. 18.
Fair Park is about to be a lot busier, as the State Fair of Texas opens Friday morning on its 24-day run.
The 2015 fair — with a theme of "Passport to Texas" — officially opens at 10 a.m. and runs through Oct. 18.
Fair fare includes several inventive fried food options and also a vegetarian corn dog. Skip Fletcher, of Fletcher's Corn Dogs, said they "threw in the towel" after customers had requested a vegetarian option for years.
"My dad's going to turn over in his grave," he joked. "He said, 'Don't ever change the menu, ever.' We can add. I'm not changing. I'm adding."'
Some concession stands will take part in Thrifty Thursdays, with signature items at reduced costs.
Fried carrot cake and a bacon-flavored cocktail are award-winning new delicacies.
This year's fair has a tough act to follow. Organizers said last year's fair set a record for food and ride sales — more than $42 million in coupons sold — topping the $37.3 million of coupons sold in 2010.
One new attraction is the Lone Star Horse Spectacular, offering the history of Texas through horses, flags and music.
Prairie View A&M takes on Grambling State on Saturday in football at the Cotton Bowl. It's Texas vs. Oklahoma on Saturday, Oct. 10.
Gov. Greg Abbott will speak at the fair's opening ceremony and ribbon cutting at 7:30 p.m.
But leave your selfie stick at home, as fair officials said they banned them for safety reasons.
Online: BigTex.com
