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His boots are sponsored by Lucchese and made by SRO Associates. M.mySanantonio.com

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In the article, I learned the he was originally Santa, though many changes were made.

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Is Big Tex wearing any original clothing?

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Is Big Tex wearing any original clothing?

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According to a very reliable wikipedia source, "Big Tex generally receives a new shirt and jeans triennially, currently designed and fabricated by the Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company. His clothes will next be replaced in 2022." He will be getting a new outfit this year!

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Why did they make Big Tex bigger when they rebuilt him?

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Why did they make Big Tex bigger when they rebuilt him?

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Texas likes to go large, so they took the opportunity to make the new Tex bigger than the old.

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They could rebuild him. They had the technology and the capability to build the world's biggest mechanical talking Texan cowboy.

After a fire last year destroyed one of the Lone Star State's most iconic images, the annual State Fair of Texas in Dallas opened this week with a brand new Big Tex, the towering figure who greets visitors with a friendly wave and a cheerful "Howdy, folks!"

This being a state that likes to go large, the opportunity was seized to make the new Tex even bigger than the old: at 55ft he is three feet taller and with a 95-gallon hat rather than the previous incarnation's 75-gallon headwear. And at 19,000 pounds heavier, as he is now free-standing. His clothes are redesigned and his boots are decorated with graphics including the American and Texas flags and the state capitol. His darker complexion has led some to dub him "Big Tex-Mex" amid rumours that it was a conscious decision to acknowledge Texas's growing Hispanic population.

Most importantly, he is made of fire-resistant material. The official symbol of the State Fair since 1952, the original Big Tex expired at the age of 60 in a tragic accident last fall. Big Tex rapidly went up in flames in the closing days of last year's fair after an electrical fire started in his right boot. He could not be saved, and his lifeless body was hauled away, with many onlookers reportedly in tears.

The last Big Tex went down in flames a year ago. Photograph: Reuters

A mournful Dallas Morning News editorial said that for visitors, a trip to the fair without seeing Big Tex would be "like visiting New York without the Statue of Liberty." Officials quickly vowed to construct a replacement within the year.

After being installed, New Tex was hidden by curtains, though local news helicopters buzzed overhead, hoping to catch a sneak peak. He was expected to be unveiled on Friday, the fair's opening day, but a forecast of high winds caused officials to reveal him a day earlier. He cost $500,000, according to local news reports.

The fair runs until 20 October. Other attractions include fairground rides and creative arts competitions. It describes itself as the "fried food capital of Texas", with offerings including a Fried Thanksgiving Dinner and a deep-fried chocolate chip burrito.

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Texas state fair unveils Big Tex statue - bigger, heavier and fire-resistant

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They could rebuild him. They had the technology and the capability to build the world's biggest mechanical talking Texan cowboy. After a fire last year destroyed one of the Lone Star State's most iconic images, the annual State Fair of Texas in Dallas opened this week with a brand new Big Tex, the towering figure who greets visitors with a friendly wave and a cheerful "Howdy, folks!"

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According to the chart on the article, "Howdy Folks, this is Big Tex!," presently, Big Tex stands at 55 ft. tall. From 1952 to 2012, Big Tex stood at 52 feet.

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He was a devoted artist who built and maintained him until his death in 2001.

SOURCE: https://lakewood.advocatemag.com/big-tex-creator-jack-bridges/

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What you didn't know about Big Tex creator Jack Bridges

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Jack Bridges once said he'd try anything that was impossible. But the artist took one look at the colossal Santa Claus former Dallas Mayor R.L. Thornton asked him to overhaul as a Christmas decoration for Fair Park and didn't see any potential. Bridges proposed his own seemingly impossible idea -

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After asking many questions pondering the performativity and dubious importance of a figure such as Big Tex, I asked if I was simply a jaded cynic who hates fun. I was told yes by my tablemates, so I shall defer to them and continue to live my authentic life.

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According to the Dallas Morning News, Big Tex is an icon because people in Texas love him and "that's all that matters."

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According to the Dallas Morning News, Big Tex is an icon because people in Texas love him and "that's all that matters."

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"On the last Friday of the Fair, October 19, 2012, a fire due to an electrical short started in the base of the beloved icon."

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what's the service cost for Big Tex?

The service and maintenance for "Big Tex" cost around 500,000 a year.

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Has he changed outfits? Yes, he has a personal tailor and was given a face mask during the pandemic.

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Has he changed outfits? Yes, he has a personal tailor and was given a face mask during the pandemic.

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What's with the Original Big Tex's nose? Was it purposefully crooked? An oversight of the Keren builders?

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What's with the Original Big Tex's nose? Was it purposefully crooked? An oversight of the Keren builders?

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We learned about the history of Big Tex, that he also isn't the original Big Tex. He went through several changes. He is also new and improved after a fire.

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I didn't know (until reading) that Tex originated as a Santa Claus.

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The voice of Big Tex is anonymous according to D Magazine.

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Where did the idea of Big Tex come from?

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Where did the idea of Big Tex come from?

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According to the State Fair of Texas site, Big Tex was a result of Kernes' giant Santa.

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Replacing Big Tex after the fire cost about $500,000.

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Why was it so expensive to manufacture Big Tex?

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Why was it so expensive to manufacture Big Tex?

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According to the Dallas Morning News, "The fair is making him heavier so he can withstand 90 mph winds. He’s also going to be equipped with a fire suppression system." Therefore, I assume that upgrades are the culprit for the additional costs.

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Is the voice of Big Tex still live? Is any of it prerecorded?

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He caught fire and burned in 2012, but he was restored in time, a year later, for the 2013 state fair.

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Big Tex was manufactured by SRO Associates and Texas Scenic Co.

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Tex has been at the State Fair of Texas since 1951!

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Big Tex originated as a cartoon, promoting the Fair, in 1951.

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Prior to being Big Tex, the star started out as Santa in 1949 in Corsicana as prop to get locals to purchase Christmas gifts locally.

From the first source

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Why did Big Tex cost so much to rebuild?

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Why did Big Tex cost so much to rebuild?

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What was wrong with his nose that the artist had to change it?

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What was wrong with his nose that the artist had to change it?

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He is stored on fair grounds.

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I thought that my knowledge of Big Tex's history would be a stumper, but the article nailed my information right from the start.

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I thought that my knowledge of Big Tex's history would be a stumper, but the article nailed my information right from the start.

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Why did people object to his original nose?

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Why did people object to his original nose?

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We learned that one of the voices of Big Tex was fired because he revealed himself.

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The Giant Santa, a gimmick to draw customers to Kerens, Texas, is the original Big Tex.

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The Giant Santa, a gimmick to draw customers to Kerens, Texas, is the original Big Tex.

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According to Morgan Moriarty with SBNation, Big Tex is "terrifying."

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Jack Bridges transformed Santa into Big Tex after RL Thorton bought him for $750 back in '51.

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Who is the voice of Big Tex? I had to search the web and found a Wikipedia page dedicated to Big Tex and all those who have contributed to this phenomenon.

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According to the article, Big Tex's name came from a newspaper article about the State Fair.

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According to the article, Big Tex's name came from a newspaper article about the State Fair.

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Our group wanted to know what the other designs for Big Tex's boots looked like. We found the top 10 finalists for the 2019 competition at the attached link.

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The Votes Are In!

Big Tex asked and Texas answered! The State Fair of Texas and Lucchese received more than 250 entries for the Big Tex Boot Design contest and after ten finalist were selected, thousands of Fair fans voted on their favorite design. The State Fair of Texas is proud to announce that the winner of the 2019 Big Tex Boot Design Contest is Katie Sauceda of Keller, Texas. Be sure to see the big guy's new boots for yourself later this year at the 2019 State Fair of Texas.

The Winning Design by Katie Sauceda

TAKE A GANDER AT THE TOP 10 FINALISTS

Thanks Y'all!

I loved each and every one of the entries you submitted for my new boots. I can't wait to find out which design you choose as your favorite. See ya at the 2019 State Fair of Texas!

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Design Big Tex's Boots | State Fair of Texas

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Big Tex asked and Texas answered! The State Fair of Texas and Lucchese received more than 250 entries for the Big Tex Boot Design contest and after ten finalist were selected, thousands of Fair fans voted on their favorite design.

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I wondered how they figured that Big Tex is 500,000. I googled, and it was due to labor and materials. I thought he was appraised..=)