State Fair Announces New Attractions, Entertainment Lineups, Rodeos For 2022
The State Fair of Texas recently announced the free lineup for the 2022 fair, featuring more than 100 activities during all 24 days.
The lineup offers options for thrill-seekers like watching TX stunt jam in the xtreme sports zone, the crafty and creative like perusing the winners on display in the Creative Arts Building, and much more.
What’s New and Not to Miss
Featuring brand-new, over-the-top, spectacular floats, the Kroger Starlight Parade will light up the Fair Park skyline in all-new ways at this year’s Fair. Created by Kern Studios of New Orleans, this nightly parade wanders through the fairgrounds all 24 nights of the fair, bringing an assortment of floats, life-size puppets, animated characters in ornate costumes, and more.
Mat Ricardo: The Extraordinary Gentleman joins returning fan-favorite Mighty Mike on the Fringe Stage, located next to the Cotton Bowl and Creative Arts building.
Grab your kids and be ready to be amazed at Alléz-Oops with Rob and Miss Jane! Married duo Rob and Miss Jane waltz on wine bottles, skip on stilts, and even tame the terrifying tiger baby. Catch this new and silly show in the Oak Farms Theater.
Pumping up the jams, the brand-new attraction Oontz Kids DJ Dance Party at Howdy’s near the Children’s Aquarium will showcase kid DJs from DFW’s DJ school, OontzKids.
Dust off your boots and head over to Fair Park Coliseum for the return of the State Fair of Texas Rodeo. Every weekend, Friday through Sunday, witness the best of the best in the ring – whether it’s rounding up cattle as part of the State Fair of Texas Ranch Rodeo or celebrating the variety of culture in rodeo as part of the Mexican Rodeo Fiesta. New this year, the State Fair of Texas is proud to welcome the Year-End Finale of the United Professional Rodeo Association (UPRA) to the Fair Park Coliseum this October as part of the fair’s rodeo lineup.
Following an incredible playoff run, the Dallas Mavericks will host an exhibit at the Hall of State this year, titled “Mavs Vault”. Highlighting the remarkable history of our local NBA team, this exhibit will feature interactive experiences, never-before-seen historical artifacts, and more.
The African American Museum will display Facing the Rising Sun: Freedman’s Cemetery. Containing photographs, found objects, and historical documents that provide an insight into a community called Freedman’s Town and now known as Uptown, the exhibit features interactive video kiosks that allow visitors to see and hear from the people who knew Freedman’s Town first-hand. Also on display, The Souls of Black Folk: Selections from the Billy R. Allen Folk Art Collection and Decorative Arts Collection features one of the largest collections of African American folk art in the country.
The Continental DAR house will feature ‘stars and stripes forever’ as one of the new exhibits during the 2022 State Fair of Texas. The exhibit will focus on the 245th anniversary of the June 14, 1777 Flag Resolution designating the design of our nation’s flag to be “thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union is thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation,” and it will include the history and variations of the flag throughout the years. The exhibit will also recognize the 35th anniversary of the 1987 act of Congress, designating John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” as the official National March.
Combining agricultural education with real-world demonstrations, the Majesty of the Horse is back with more examples to showcase equine beauty. Renowned horseman Jerry Diaz and his family will host a presentation displaying the majesty and beauty of the horse. The exhibition includes multiple breeds of horses and showcases their unique color, size, and purpose.
What’s Back and Better than Ever
Mundo Latino brings their exhibit, “Día de Los Muertos,” celebrating the rich history and significance of the Day of the Dead.
Showstoppers will take over the Hall of State steps again this year. Giant inflatable characters, now including Little Big Tex and Champ, will entertain guests of all ages with their wild antics.
Country Round-up, the puppet show created exclusively for the State Fair of Texas, returns for the second year to the Dr. Pepper Midway Stage with new tricks up its sleeve.
Fan Favorites Return
The All-Star Stunt Dog Show returns to Marine Corps Square for this year’s fair. Offering the world’s first and original “stunt dog show,” audiences of all ages will be captivated by amazing canine tricks. The All-Star Stunt Dog Show dogs have performed across the country, including appearances on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and Oprah Winfrey Show. All the dogs have been rescued from shelters and trained to showcase their unique talents.
Joining the All-Star Stunt Dog Show in Marine Corps Square, the Pig Races make their debut outside this year. Dressed in fetching racing silks, the wiggly piglets run the course four times a day.
Head over to the Fringe Stage with strongman Mighty Mike. A bender of horseshoes, juggler of bowling balls and sledgehammers, Mighty Mike’s funny performance showcases strongman strength techniques dating back to the 1920s and, dare we say, questionable dance routines.
A family-friendly experience presented by McDonald’s, “¡Fiestas de Marionetas!” is one of this year’s not-to-miss shows wherein a small village of more than 85 handmade marionettes come to life to celebrate a fiesta of color, culture, and creativity.
World of Birds presents: SOAR!, which brings the aviary world up-close to the audience with bird releases from the Texas Star Ferris wheel and flyovers just inches from guests’ heads. “SOAR!” is also filled with a wealth of knowledge regarding bird health, habitat information, and conservation efforts worldwide.
Two iconic football rivalries return to the Cotton Bowl field this year. On Saturday, Oct. 1, Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M University kick-off at 6 p.m. for another game and Battle of the Bands at halftime during the State Fair Classic. The AT&T Red River Showdown between the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas returns for the 93rd consecutive neutral ground showdown at the Bowl on Saturday, October 8.
With three live music stages showcasing more than 90 acts, the Ffair has a concert for everyone. The Chevrolet Main Stage will host headlining performances from Trace Adkins, Ashanti, Fitz & The Tantrums, Night Ranger, La Mafia, and more. The Bud Light Stage and Yuengling Stage highlight local and regional acts on the rise. The Yuengling Stage will also feature live stand-up as part of Deep Fried Comedy on Friday nights at 8 p.m. You can find the complete listing of live music at the Fair at BigTex.com/livemusic.
For more information and to plan your visit to the fair, visit the state fair’s website.
