Who's That Masked Man? 'Big Tex' Launches The State Fair Today

DALLAS, TX —The word "iconic" gets tossed around too freely these days, but if anyone is deserving of the designation, it's "Big Tex."

With the State Fair of Texas opening in just a week, the 55-foot cowpoke replica was lofted into place this morning at Big Tex Circle and will be welcoming tens of thousands of visitors over the next month.

In 2020, the fair was cancelled altogether due to the COVID-19 outbreak. And, both as a reminder that the pandemic is far from over and as part of Dallas' ongoing safety protocols, Big Tex will be sporting a mask to cover his nose and mouth this year.

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Visitors will not be required to provide vaccination proof to enter, but the fair is providing onsite vaccinations — and those who get their shots in the shadow of Big Texas will receive coupons worth $20 to spend at the fair.

Masks will also be required indoors, in cooperation with the Dallas Country mask mandate.

In his original incarnation, Big Tex was built after World War II and billed the world's tallest Santa Claus in Kerens, Texas. But a few years after his 1949 debut, the town's chamber of commerce sold their Santa to the State Fair of Texas for the then-handsome sum of $750.

A Dallas artist named Jack Bridges did the work that transformed the Santa figure into Big Tex as he's known today around the world.

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