Editor’s note: As part of our ongoing coverage of the State Fair of Texas, we asked a variety of people to share their experiences and memories. NewsNation anchor and Dallas native Markie Martin returns to Dallas this week to broadcast her morning show, Morning in America, live from the fair beginning Friday. She writes today’s entry.
There’s a particular kind of October afternoon you can only find and feel in Texas. That time of year when summer hasn’t fully loosened its sweltering grip, but it’s the first time in months you’ve wanted to spend any time outdoors—and there’s no better place to do so than the State Fair of Texas. For generations of Texans, it’s a religious place and tradition.
When I’m 100 years old, eyes closed, wondering where the years have gone, I’m convinced memory will take me to Fair Park—a little girl, neck craned up at Big Tex with a mustard-stained shirt after my first Fletcher’s cornydog of the season. Dad stands next to me, my stuffed animal carnival win tucked under his arm. Precious cargo…