Guest / Spouse Event

HOWDY FOLKS, WELCOME TO THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS and AICP's Guest/Spouse Event. This year we are delighted to announce a new option for our Guests and/or Spouses with a full day at the State Fair of Texas, Monday October 4th. The largest state fair in the United States by annual attendance, and one of the oldest with the gates opening in 1886. Known for its unusual fried foods, plan to come and try this year's creation. Just to give you an idea, last year's winner for "Most Creative" was Deep Fried Butter….yea, that's what I said. The award for "Best Taste" went to Fernie's Deep Fried Peaches & Cream.

For those interested in attending this year’s Texas State Fair, please meet in the hotel lobby on Monday from 9:15 – 9:30 am. Advance tickets may be purchased at http://www.bigtex.com/. Advance general admission is $12.95 ($15.00 at the door). Advance senior general admission (60+) is $9.95 ($11.00 at the door). Food and ride coupons are also available for advance purchase at $10.00 for a sheet of 20 coupons. A favorite destination for many Fair attendees is the Dallas Fall Garden Getaway in the arboretum on the fairgrounds. Advance tickets are $18.00 ($25.00 at the door) for this fabulous delight. Attendees will use light rail (DART), and the round-trip ticket is only $4.00. The expected time to return is 3:00 pm (gather by the Fair entrance) in order to get back to the hotel for a little rest and in plenty of time for AICP conference evening activities. Once inside the entrance, the attendees can split up as needed. DART is very easy to use, so you’re welcome to stay longer if you wish. Many events are scheduled for thatday at the Fair — celebrity chef presentations, a lot of live entertainment (music and other shows), livestock events (yes, this is the Texas State Fair) — as well as traditional Fair activities, exhibits, games, rides and plenty of food.

Fun Fair Fact: On October 11, 1956, the fair highlighted a show by the then-20 year old Elvis Presley, with 2,000 teenagers attending, and breaking all attendance records for an outdoor concert in the state of Texas. Nearly 30 years after his death, Presley made news again at the state fair when a silk shirt he had worn was stolen from a traveling exhibit, "The King's Ransom," that was one of the featured attractions of the 2005 fair; the shirt was recovered less than 24 hours later when an anonymous person dropped it off at a local post office.