State Fair of Texas

What State Fair of Texas does

The State Fair of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1886 that operates one of the largest and oldest state fairs in the United States. Its core offering is a 24-day annual exposition held each fall at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas, which drew 2.02 million guests in 2025. The event spans livestock shows, creative arts competitions, midway rides and games, live music on the Chevrolet Main Stage, the Texas Auto Show, and 70+ small business food and beverage concessionaires. The organization is anchored by its iconic 55-foot Big Tex mascot and "Most Texan Place on Earth" branding, with a vertically integrated portfolio that includes Big Tex Urban Farms (a hydroponics and mycology program producing 200,909+ pounds of donated produce since 2016), the Big Tex Scholarship Program ($25.3M+ awarded to 3,850+ students since 2018), and the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction.

The underlying technology stack is operationally focused rather than technology-driven. Digital ticketing runs on accesso ShoWare, with payments processed via accessoPay and Cybersource; digital wallet adoption has exceeded 30% of all payments. Big Tex Urban Farms uses hydroponic planting beds and mushroom cultivation infrastructure at Fair Park. Distribution is omnichannel: physical attendance at Fair Park, online ticketing, a dedicated group sales team for 25+ corporate bookings, and transit partnerships with DART Rail (Green Line to Fair Park Station and MLK Jr. Station), Trinity Railway Express, Denton County A-Train, and Uber/Lyft staging.

The business model is multi-stream and seasonal, with revenue generated almost entirely within a 24-day window each fall. Primary streams include single-day ticket sales, season passes ($52 digital / $62 VIP Guide / 2-Pack Combo with $50 in coupons), group ticket discounts, corporate sponsorship packages at Premier/Presenting/Title/Gold/Silver tiers, ~400,000 sq ft of commercial exhibit space, food and beverage concessions (vendors pay booth fees plus transaction fees with a $5,000 minimum commitment), Big Tex branded merchandise, and ancillary fundraising events (Clay Shoot Classic, Golf Classic, Saddle Up). Proceeds support the scholarship program, urban farms, and community initiatives across the Fair Park area of South Dallas.

Name

State Fair of Texas

Legal name

State Fair of Texas

Website

https://bigtex.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1886

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

State Fair of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1886 that operates a 24-day annual exposition at Fair Park in Dallas, drawing over 2 million visitors via ticket sales, sponsorships, vendor concessions, and exhibitor space, while funding scholarship and urban agriculture programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Annual Exposition Events

NAICS

All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (713990), Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries (713)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Community & Multi-Category Fairs (MPAGAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fairgrounds & Expo Parks (THAHAAAH), Concession & Stadium / Arena Catering (THAFAIAG), Educational & Youth Community Events (School/Youth Festivals) (MPAGAEAM)

Keywords

• Annual exposition events
• Livestock show competitions
• Agricultural education programs
• Food and beverage concessions
• Community fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: The primary revenue stream includes single-day admission tickets, season passes (VIP Guide at $62 and Digital at $52), and group tickets with discounts for 25+ attendees. Digital adoption has grown significantly with over 30% of payments via digital wallets.
2. Food and Beverage Concessions: Partnership with more than 70 small business concessionaires serving food and beverages during the 24-day event. Vendors pay for booth space and the Fair takes a transaction fee. Minimum upfront investment for vendors is $5,000.
3. Commercial Exhibitor Space: Approximately 400,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor exhibit space available for commercial exhibitors to promote and sell products/services. Selection based on space availability, product uniqueness, and visual appeal.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship packages at multiple levels (Premier, Presenting, Title, Gold, Silver) provide on-site branding, exposure, and engagement opportunities with 2+ million fairgoers over 24 days.
5. Fundraising Events: Annual fundraising events including Big Tex Clay Shoot Classic ($458,000 raised in 2026), Big Tex Golf Classic ($274,000 raised in 2026), and Saddle Up fundraising event. Proceeds support Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs.
6. Merchandise Sales: Big Tex branded merchandise sold through the Big Tex Store and online at bigtexstore.com, including apparel, collectibles, and the State Fair of Texas Cookbook.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The State Fair of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces a 24-day annual exposition at Fair Park in Dallas each fall, featuring livestock shows, creative arts competitions, midway rides and games, the Chevrolet Main Stage concert series, the Texas Auto Show, and 70+ small-business food and beverage concessionaires. Beyond the annual event, it runs year-round community programs including Big Tex Urban Farms (hydroponic produce donated to South Dallas), the Big Tex Scholarship Program, the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction, and branded fundraising events. Supporting revenue comes from consumer ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, commercial exhibit space rentals (~400,000 sq ft), and merchandise sales.

Product overview

The State Fair of Texas operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization hosting an annual 24-day exposition in Fair Park, Dallas that draws over 2 million visitors each fall. The core product is the State Fair of Texas event itself, featuring livestock shows, creative arts competitions, midway attractions, and live entertainment on the Chevrolet Main Stage. The fair's product portfolio includes ticketing solutions (Season Passes with VIP Guide, Digital Season Pass, Group Tickets), sponsorship programs at multiple tiers, commercial exhibit space (400,000 sq ft), and food/beverage concessions partnerships with 70+ vendors. Year-round initiatives include Big Tex Urban Farms (hydroponic produce donations), the Big Tex Scholarship Program ($12,000 awards across three categories), and the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction. Fundraising events include the Big Tex Golf Classic, Big Tex Clay Shoot Classic, and State Fair Saddle Up. The fair also operates a Wine Program featuring Blue Ribbon Selection competitions and Wine Garden tastings. Transportation access is enabled through DART Rail integration and partnerships with rideshare services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Big Tex Urban Farms: Horticulture-based community initiative with planting beds and hydroponic systems in Fair Park, producing fresh produce for donation to community partners
• Big Tex Scholarship Program
• Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction
• Big Tex Clay Shoot Classic
• Big Tex Golf Classic
• Saddle Up

Products and services

• State Fair of Texas Annual Event Flagship 24-day annual exposition held each fall at Fair Park, Dallas, featuring entertainment, livestock shows, creative arts competitions, food vendors, midway rides and games, live music performances on the Chevrolet Main Stage, and the Texas Auto Show. The event regularly draws over 2 million visitors.
• Season Pass with VIP Guide Premium annual season pass priced at $62 per pass providing unlimited Fair access during the 24-day season (once per day), commemorative hard card, free single-day Bring-A-Friend ticket (Monday–Friday), BOGO Midway game and ride vouchers, $10 off merchandise, complimentary Texas Discovery Gardens admission, and a parking pre-purchase discount.
• Digital Season Pass Digital-only annual season pass priced at $52 per pass offering scan-and-go entry with unlimited Fair visits during the season (once per day). Does not include the Bring-A-Friend ticket or VIP Guide discounts and bonuses.
• Season Pass 2-Pack Combo Bundle of two Season Passes with VIP Guides plus $50 in coupons for use on food and midway activities during the 24-day Fair.
• Group Tickets Discounted 1-Day Flex Tickets for groups of 25 or more, available with advance online purchase and delivered via FedEx; optional Food and Midway Coupons can be added. Valid through dates outlined in the order with shipping available through October 13.
• Livestock Shows and Exhibitions Competitive livestock events held during the Fair including market steer, sheep, goat, barrow, and broiler shows; cattle exhibitions across multiple breeds; equine shows; youth livestock competitions; and the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction. Thousands of students participate annually in agricultural events.
• Creative Arts Competitions Contest programs including arts and crafts, youth contests, cooking contests, and the annual Battle of the Blue Ribbons spring competition, with categories such as canning, fine arts, photography, sewing, quilting, and specialty cooking contests held during fairtime and spring seasons.
• Corporate Sponsorship Programs Sponsorship packages at Premier, Presenting, Title, Gold, and Silver tiers providing on-site branding, exposure, and face-to-face engagement with 2.2 to 2.5 million fairgoers over 24 days. Silver and Gold tiers target short-term activation while Premier, Presenting, and Title packages offer custom brand-building opportunities.
• Commercial Exhibitor Space Approximately 400,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor exhibit space available to commercial exhibitors to promote and sell products and services. Selection is based on space availability, product uniqueness, references, and booth display quality.
• Food and Beverage Concessions Partnership program offering over 70 small business concessionaires operating food and beverage booths across Grand Avenue, Midway, Nimitz Avenue, Tower Building, Cotton Bowl Plaza, and Front Gate concessions. New vendors require a minimum upfront investment of $5,000.
• Chevrolet Main Stage Concerts Primary concert venue hosting live music performances throughout the 24-day fair season with scheduled performances from September 25 through October 18, 2026. Concert access is bundled with Fair admission.
• State Fair Wine Program Two-part wine showcase including the Blue Ribbon Selection Wine Competition, which selects 12 Texas wines annually for a dedicated tasting window, and the Wine Garden Tasting Experience, which features four wineries per day for paid sampling during the 24-day fair.
• Big Tex Urban Farms Horticulture-based community initiative featuring planting beds and hydroponic systems in Fair Park, producing leafy greens, herbs, and culinary-grade mushrooms (native oyster, blue oyster, and lion's mane) through a mycology program. Over 200,909 pounds of produce and over 2,047,216 servings have been donated to community partners focused on hunger and healthy lifestyle programs since 2016.
• Big Tex Scholarship Program Three scholarship categories each awarding $12,000: Juanita Craft Scholarship for Fair Park-area DISD high school seniors, Youth Livestock Scholarship for students competing in youth livestock events, and Seasonal Employee Scholarship for fair employees and dependents (renewable). The program has awarded more than $21.4 million to 3,850+ students since 1992.
• Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction Annual auction at the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center where winning youth exhibitors sell livestock projects to sponsors at premium prices, with all proceeds going directly to exhibitors and remaining funds supporting the scholarship program.
• Big Tex Golf Classic Annual fundraising golf tournament supporting the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs; the 2026 event raised $274,000 with 100% of proceeds going to Texas students.
• Big Tex Clay Shoot Classic Annual sporting clay shoot tournament at Dallas Gun Club raising funds for the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs; the 2026 event raised $458,000.
• State Fair Saddle Up Annual fundraising event featuring live and silent auctions, midway-style games, and Texas hospitality, supporting the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs benefiting hundreds of Texas students.
• Big Tex Merchandise Branded merchandise including apparel, collectibles, and the State Fair of Texas Cookbook sold through the Big Tex Store on-site and online at bigtexstore.com.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2 million annual visitors during 24-day event
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• accesso Technology GroupcoreTechnology or Integration · 24 February 2026accesso Technology Group powers the State Fair of Texas ticketing operations through its accesso ShoWare platform and accessoPay digital payment solution with Cybersource. The partnership has driven significant digital adoption with over 30% of all payments completed via digital wallets. The renewal through 2030 underscores the growing role of technology providers in enhancing guest experience at large-scale entertainment events.
• Dallas ISD CityLab High SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough partnership with Dallas ISD CityLab High School, Big Tex Urban Farms developed a five-month cohort program for high school students focused on all aspects of urban agriculture. Six students from the school participated, with 30% adjusting their planned major for higher education to fields associated with agriculture.
• Texas Department of AgriculturesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Texas Department of Agriculture partners with the State Fair of Texas on the Blue Ribbon Selection wine competition program. The partnership helps promote Texas wines and the growing wine sector of Texas agriculture.
• Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDART Rail Green Line provides public transit access to the State Fair of Texas with stops at Fair Park Station and MLK Jr. Station. The partnership enhances accessibility for fairgoers and supports sustainable transportation.
• Trinity Railway ExpresssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrinity Railway Express connects fairgoers from ten stations in Tarrant County and Dallas County to meet up with DART Rail Green Line in Dallas, providing regional transit access to the State Fair.
• Denton County A-TrainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDenton County A-Train provides fairgoers from Denton County access to the State Fair via transfer to DART's Green Line at Trinity Mills. Note: The A-train does not operate on Sundays.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: One of the largest annual events in Texas, operating a multi-week livestock show, rodeo, concert series, and carnival at NRG Park in Houston. Highly comparable as a Texas-based nonprofit mega-event with similar livestock, scholarship, and entertainment programming.
• San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo: Annual 2-3 week Texas stock show and rodeo at the Freeman Coliseum/AT&T Center grounds. Directly comparable in mission (livestock, youth scholarships, agricultural education) and scale of attendance, drawing a comparable multi-million visitor base.
• Iowa State Fair: One of the largest and oldest state fairs in the U.S., operating an 11-day annual event with livestock, food competitions, midway, and concerts. Directly comparable as a flagship state fair with strong agricultural and entertainment programming.
• Minnesota State Fair: 12-day end-of-summer state fair that consistently draws one of the highest U.S. fair attendances. Comparable in nonprofit governance, livestock/agriculture programming, food innovation competitions, and entertainment line-up.
• Cal Expo / California State Fair: Operator of the Cal Expo fairgrounds in Sacramento and the annual California State Fair. Comparable in venue-management-plus-event model, with livestock shows, food, concerts, and a 17-day run.
• Indiana State Fair: 17-day annual state fair held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Directly comparable as a multi-day state fair with livestock competitions, food vendors, midway, and concert programming.
• Wisconsin State Fair: 11-day annual state fair at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis. Comparable as a large-scale state fair featuring livestock, food, midway, and headline entertainment with a strong agricultural education focus.
• Kentucky State Fair: Annual state fair held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, combining livestock shows, World Championship Horse Show, food, and concerts. Comparable in mission, scale, and nonprofit/government-backed governance.

Broad incumbents

• Six Flags Entertainment Corporation: Year-round regional theme park operator with properties across the U.S., including Six Flags Over Texas near Dallas. Comparable as a major Texas-based mass-entertainment operator competing for family entertainment dollars, though with a year-round (vs. 24-day) operating model.
• Live Nation Entertainment: Global live entertainment and ticketing conglomerate operating concert venues, festivals, and ticketing platforms (including Ticketmaster). Comparable as a large-scale live event and ticketing infrastructure operator relevant to the State Fair's concerts, sponsorships, and ticketing model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/statefairoftx
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/StateFairofTexas
• Facebookfacebook.com/statefairoftx
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/41832

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about State Fair of Texas