Fair Park Dallas–Student Reflection

What a morning it was at Fair Park, TX site of the Texas State Fair. The only thing missing was Big Tex to wish us a Texas Howdy. For me, Fair Park is the Kentucky Exposition Center on a larger scale in size as it sets on 277 acres and is managed by the City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department’s Fair Park Administration.

During our tour, we were able to see the beginning stages of prep work for the 2014 Texas State Fair which runs from September 26- October 19, 2014!   A few of the things that make Fair Park so unique is the amount art placed through the park as some of these haven’t been touched since their initial painting in 1936! If you are a fan of Art Deco, you are in luck as the largest collection in the world is located here.

The highlight of the day had to be when we were able to run down the historical tunnel of the Cotton Bowl and explore the stadium. We were able to learn about the revenue impact to the City of Dallas and operations of the famous AT&T Red Rive Showdown featuring the Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Longhorns. Before leaving we were able to take a quick photo in front of the iconic Cotton Bowl scoreboard with the fight song, playing on in what could be a foreshadowing of a Heart of Dallas Bowl game victory for our Hilltoppers on December 26, 2014!

–Craig Peden, Master of Science in Recreation and Sport Administration (General)