Totally Texas -- Howdy, folks! It’s Big Tex!

I’m glad my daughter and I didn’t wait to visit the State Fair yesterday, when near hurricane-force winds roared through (amazingly, the storm did little damage to the fairgrounds themselves.) No, the weather was beautiful when we visited. Just like today.

Regular admission is $17 for adults, $13 for children under 48 inches tall and for senior ages 60 and over. However, there are numerous discounts. Check www.bigtex.com or search under “State Fair discounts” for bargains like today’s admission coupons for $12 entry from Kiss-FM. I had free tickets, courtesy of my membership at one of Fair Park’s several museums.

The money we saved on tickets went for food instead. Not the new-every-year fried fare. As far as my family’s concerned, the State Fair would come to a screeching halt if we didn’t eat our annual State Fair corny dogs. This year, we opted for a new twist¾ cheese and jalapeno pepper-flavored corny dogs. The cheese and peppers are incorporated into the hot dog before it’s dipped in cornmeal batter and, of course, deep-fried. On a scale of one to ten for spiciness, my daughter rated the hybrid corndogs an eight. I would have said a seven. Warm enough that you need something cold to chase them down is just hot enough.

Since it was a girls’ day out for us (her husband at work, kids still at school) we concentrated on the arts and crafts building. She loved the amazing needlework¾ needlepoint and embroidery delicate enough to make us wonder if the makers had gone blind in the process. Male members of the family, we decided, would home in on the LEGOs and military hobbyists’ work.

I marveled at the gardens and landscaping. The discovery a few years ago of natural springs under Fair Park gave landscapers the ability to keep flowers flourishing without running afoul of city watering restrictions.

We mourned the absence of the Chinese Lantern Festival that graced the Fair the past two years. But the vacant space made space for a new Kids’ BoardWalk. And meanwhile, at the park’s lovely artificial lagoon, we were glad to see the swan boats back in business. And the new Big Tex is settling in nicely, with a fresh shirt for this year’s fair.

Because we were short of time, we drove and parked ($15 for parking in designated “State Fair” lots). When we have more time, we usually take DART, whose Green Line whisks us straight to the fair’s front gate.

Each year when the fair opens, it seems it will last forever. But don’t wait too long. Come October 19, it’s gone for another year.

Totally Texas --Fall cools down, festivals heat up

No matter what the calendar says, Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer. Out with the old season, in with the new! As summer’s temperatures drop, fall festivals heat up. Here’s a sampling of events in North Texas my family and I have enjoyed. Think I’ve forgotten about Halloween? No chance, boys and ghouls. The spooky season will get its own post later in October.

Now - September 1: It’s your last weekend to see Perot Museum of Nature and Science’s World’s Largest Dinosaurs exhibit. My family started summer vacation with a visit to the Perot, 2201 N. Field St., Dallas. The traveling exhibit of South American dinos boasts really big bones, a plethora of dino facts, and my twin grandsons’ favorite -- a chance to dig in the dirt. For this and other museum information, see www.perotmuseum.org/.

September 16, 2014 - February 15, 2015: Want more dinosaurs? The animatronic versions return to the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. See http://heardmuseum.org/dinosaurslive/ for a complete list as well as hours and ticket information.

September 18-21: Addison’s Oktoberfest, at Addison Circle Park, is the place to go for beer, sausage, music, and athletic events like the barrel rolling contest whose photo illustrates this post. Admission is free for all ages Thursday, September 18. Friday through Sunday general admission is $10 for ages 13 and older, $5 for children ages 4-12. See www.addisontexas.net/events/oktoberfest for schedule of events and ticket packages.

September 19th-21st 2014: National Championship Indian Pow-Wow, Traders Village, 2602 Mayfield Road in Grand Prairie. The pow-wow includes tribal dance contests, arts, cultural heritage demonstrations, Indian food and more. There’s a $3 fee to park at the village, admission is free. See www.tradersvillage.com/grand-prairie/events/.

September 20-November 26: Autumn at the Arboretum, Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas. The photo-op perfect pumpkin village and Cinderella’s coach return along with thousands of pumpkins and acres of flowers. For schedule of events, tickets, and discounts, see
www.dallasarboretum.org/.

September 26-28: Greek Festival of Dallas, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 13555 Hillcrest Road at Alpha Road, Dallas. Food, music, dancing, a marketplace, and more. Half-price admission September 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Remaining days’ tickets are $6 for ages 13 and older, free for kids under 13. See www.greekfestivalofdallas.com for times and details.

September 26-October 19: State Fair of Texas, Fair Park, Dallas. As if the giant talking robot mascot, Big Tex, isn’t scary enough, our state fair is also the official Fried Food Capital of Texas®. This year’s fried finalists include such stupefying entries as chicken fried loaded baked potato and deep fried Texas bluebonnet. Adult members of my family may need a swig of the funnel cake ale --amazingly, not fried -- to wash it all down. Carnival, exhibits, lots of farm animals, music, and anything else you can think of. Tickets are currently available online at www.bigtex.com, and at local Kroger stores beginning September 1. General admission is $17, $13 for children (under 48 inches tall). Adults aged 60 and older also get in for $13, or for free every Thursday during the fair's run.

Totally Texas -- Fall festivals flutter like leaves in North Texas

As seasons go, spring gets most of the poetry. But after a summer of sizzling heat, fall’s moderate temperatures are like a second spring to Texans. And we celebrate the season with an outburst of fairs and festivals. Following is a far from complete list of some of my favorites. I’ll post separately about Halloween and events related to the 50^th anniversary of President Kennedy’s assassination.

September 14 - February 2, 2014 -- Okay, the Heard Natural History Museum’s exhibit of animatronic dinosaurs isn’t exactly a festival, but who cares when we’re strolling the trails, searching for nearly a dozen giant moving, roaring dinos? Take your picture with the 46-foot T. rex if you dare, or with the child-size models if you don’t dare. At 1 Nature Place, McKinney. For hours, ticket prices, and more, see www.heardmuseum.org/.

September 19-22 -- Oktoberfest in Addison, 4970 Addison Circle Dr. (Addison Circle at Arapaho). Yes, there’s beer. Lots of beer. And sausages, crafts, music, a carnival and children’s play area. Dress the kids in clothes they can get wet in, to enjoy Addison’s beautiful fountain area. Tickets are free September 19, from 6 -11 p.m. For more information, discounts, and parking, see www.addisontexas.net/

September 21-November 7 -- Autumn at the Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas. A storybook pumpkin village, hay bale maze, and more in addition to the Arboretum’s seasonal beauty. This is also the opening of the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. My family got a sneak peek, and it’s truly amazing. I’ll blog later about the children’s garden, which requires a $3 timed admission ticket in addition to the Arboretum’s regular admission. For information and to reserve tickets, see
www.dallasarboretum.org/.

September 27-29 -- Greek Food Festival, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 13555 Hillcrest Road (Hillcrest and Alpha), Dallas. Opening 4 p.m. September 27. But wait an hour and get in free, September 27 from 5-7 p.m. Otherwise tickets are $6 for those age 13 and older, but still free for kids. Food, wonderful and varied, plus cooking demonstrations, music and dancing, marketplace and children’s activities. See
www.greekfestivalofdallas.com/.

September 27-October 20 -- State Fair of Texas, Dallas Fair Park. Can the new Big Tex really replace the beloved old giant that went up in flames during last year’s fair? Watch the new guy’s unveiling at 2 p.m. opening day, September 27. The Chinese Lantern Festival returns (through January 5, 2014). And of course there’s the world’s weirdest fried food. I was appalled to find last year that friends were buying full-price tickets. Please check out the numerous discounts and a complete schedule at www.bigtex.com/.

October 5-6 -- Cottonwood Arts Festival, 1321 W. Beltline Road, Richardson. So here’s your chance to walk off some of the calories from the State Fair’s fried food -- or indulge in more goodies while listening to local musicians and visiting the more than 200 booths of juried artists and craftspeople at this twice-yearly festival. Children’s activities and play area on the grounds of Richardson’s Cottonwood Park. Free. For information, see www.cottonwoodartfestival.com/.

October 18-20 -- Historic US 80 Hi-Way Sale. I’m neglecting some of my favorite fall festivals in East Texas to mention this one. My daughter and I have driven about a hundred miles of this three-state long flea market, running from Mesquite, Texas, to Jackson, Mississippi. From Dallas, we took Highway 80 east, passing by literally miles of roadside sales to concentrate on the antiques district in downtown Mineola. From there, we continued to Gladewater, with an open air festival downtown, and ended in Longview. This drive may be a little too long for small children, but you can shop, stretch, dawdle and eat anywhere along the way. There’s a map, but just drive. See www.easttexasguide.com/US80Sale.php/.

Need more? See --

Tyler Rose Festival, October 17-19, www.tylertexasonline.com/texas-rose-festival.htm/.

Edom’s Festival of the Arts, October 19-20, www.edomfestivalofthearts.com/

Fall Festival in Fort Worth’s Japanese Garden, November 2-3, http://fwbg.org/events/

Heritage Syrup Festival in Henderson, November 9,
www.hendersontx.us/.

Totally Texas -- East to Edom's Festival of the Arts

One weekend each October, the population of the East Texas town of Edom swells from approximately 375 to thousands for the annual Edom Festival of the Arts. This year, it’s Saturday through Sunday (October 20-21) -- probably the only time you’ll have trouble finding a parking place in this laid-back gem of a village. But even at its most crowded, you won’t have trouble walking all over town to visit the shops and booths of nearly seventy artists from across the state who will descend on Edom.

Originally started more than thirty years ago by some of the artists and craftspeople who call the laid-back community home, the festival got a re-do about ten years ago. Every year it gets bigger and more varied, with artwork from fine to practical, children’s activities, and musical performances.

Come with a shopping list of gifts for yourself and friends, but prepare to be surprised by the variety of arts and crafts available. Last year, I found wooden savings banks in the shape of buses and fire trucks for my grandsons and hand-woven cotton towels for my daughter.

This year, I want to take time to sample pies as well as art -- from the selections at the Edom Bakery & Grill and the Shed Café’. They’re located on either side of FM 279, the main drag through town.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free, and parking’s free, too, although last year I liked the easy access and modest cost of parking at Edom’s United Methodist Church on FM 279 (space is limited).

To get to Edom from Dallas or points west, take I-20 east and exit 540 onto FM 314, which intersects FM 279. Or exit at Canton, then east on Highway 64 to FM 279, to take in the shops of nearby Ben Wheeler as well.

For more about the festival, see www.EdomFestivaloftheArts.com/.  For the town and directions, see www.edomareachamberofcommerce.com/.

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While you’re in East Texas, consider going a little further, to Tyler, for the annual Texas Rose Festival, now through Sunday, October 21. For more information, see www.texasrosefestival.com/.

(Next Friday -- a round-up of family-friendly events for Halloween and Day of the Dead.)

Totally Texas -- Arboretum's Chihuly nights

My daughter wisely waited until the daylight hours got shorter and temperatures cooler to visit the Dallas Arboretum’s “Chihuly Nights” with her family. After all, the evenings glass sculptor Dale Chihuly’s works are on view are still school nights.

The boys had marveled at the giant sculptures made of colored glass during the daytime. But seeing them illuminated at night was like seeing them again for the first time. Normally we’d worry about mosquitoes on a nighttime excursion, but the evening was cool enough to wear jeans and long-sleeved shirts, and nobody came home with bug bites.

The Chihuly exhibit opened at the Arboretum in May and remains until November 5. Of course, you can see it every day, during that time, but it’s also available for night viewing Monday through Thursday. (Note: Thursday evenings, when the Arboretum also hosts concerts, are sold out through the end of October. No concert is scheduled for the final Thursday of the exhibition, November 1.)

Tickets for evenings without concerts are $20 for adult nonmembers, $10 for children, with free parking included. Because the Arboretum’s ticket office closes at night, please buy tickets in advance, at www.dallasarboretum.org/.

The Arboretum’s gardens at 8525 Garland Road in Dallas are open from 9-5 p.m. daily, and 6 -10 p.m. for the evening, with the last entry at 9 p.m. Food and beverage service is available, but there are picnicking areas available near the pumpkin village off the main walk, so we packed our own food in.

My most highly recommended photo site is A Woman’s Garden, with its numerous reflecting pools and view of White Rock Lake.

For best pictures, unless you’re a pro with a tripod, get to the gardens before things get completely dark. Be sure to catch views of the lake at sunset, making a colorful backdrop for the sculptures.

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Fall in Texas is festival time. For other upcoming North Texas activities, see “Fall festivals in the air,” August 31, 2012, at this site. And every second Saturday is a chance to check out East Texas artists. See “Art Jam on FM 279,” February 6, 2012, for details.

(Next Friday -- A trip to Edom’s annual Festival of the Arts.)