For the past 60 years "Big Tex" has lorded over the State Fair of Texas. An annual event held each October in Dallas, the State Fair is everything you think about Texas: college football (American), fried foods (such as fried butter, fried coke, corny dogs), odd people (carnies), cowboys and cattle and everything BIG.
Big Tex is a 52 foot tall partially animatronic cowboy who welcomes fair goers with the line, "Howdy folks! Welcome to the State Fair of Texas!" When he talks his mouth moves and his hand used to wave.
Marvel Comics even did a special edition just for an old, defunct newspaper featuring Big Tex and the X-Men. (See, Texans are different!)
(http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110201221840/marveldatabase/images/2/2f/Uncanny_X-Men_at_the_State_Fair_of_Texas_Vol_1_1.jpg)
Here are pictures of what he used to look like:
(http://media.dallasobserver.com/8279852.87.jpg)
(http://media.dallasobserver.com/8279920.87.jpg)
Today, Big Tex went to meet his maker. They think one of the motors which moves his mouth overheated and caused the fire which burned him all up except for his arms and extremely Texas sized belt buckle. It didn't help that his head and hat were made of papier mache!
(http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/bigtex.jpg)
Some are saying that a known arsonist in a nearby grassy knoll was seen fleeing the scene :)
Big Tex was sort of weird and cool at the same time. When you went to the Fair you had to go see him but once you were there you kind of felt dirty for doing so.
So long Big Tex. See you at the crossroads.
Dang it!!! Shecky did that just happen?! Big Tex was also kinda creepy :)
I remember the schools used to give out free tickets for the State Fair and would all close on a certain day so the kids could go to the Fair. They had or may still have some really cool museums on the Fair Grounds. But I havent been to the Texas State Fair since 1963!!
Any word if there are plans to build a new one?
Cya Big Tex your greetings will be missed.
Quote from: Blaker on 20 October 2012, 12:56:16 AM
Big Tex was also kinda creepy :)
Agreed...Rather creepy.
Cheers - Phil.
Wow - that's the Wicker Man - where's Edward Woodward?
That sucks, what a shame. We up North (England) made our Effigy out of metal so fire wouldn't harm him.
http://andromedababe.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/angel4001.jpg
Pray to the rust god!
Shame when something like that goes, part of everyone's life, but they won't notice until it's gone.
Think the burning image is really freaky! Plans to rebuild?
Thought 'Burning Man' was a California festival too...
Quote from: Vulpine on 20 October 2012, 08:11:11 AM
That sucks, what a shame. We up North (England) made our Effigy out of metal so fire wouldn't harm him.
Whereas in the South West we made one in willow - and seemed to be surprised when someone set fire to it...
http://www.serenadelahey.com/work5.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1607295.stm
Quote from: Vulpine on 20 October 2012, 08:11:11 AM
That sucks, what a shame. We up North (England) made our Effigy out of metal so fire wouldn't harm him.
http://andromedababe.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/angel4001.jpg
Pray to the rust god!
Angel? Looks more like a wrought-iron glider. :D
Quote from: Hertsblue on 20 October 2012, 10:06:10 AM
Angel? Looks more like a wrought-iron glider. :D
You mean it isn't Ray ? ;)
Cheers - Phil.
Quote from: nikharwood on 20 October 2012, 09:55:32 AM
Whereas in the South West we made one in willow - and seemed to be surprised when someone set fire to it...
http://www.serenadelahey.com/work5.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1607295.stm
Reminds me of the three little pigs
Officials at the State Fair say they are going to rebuild him. But I bet the time he'll be a bit more heat resistant. ;D
Perhaps they could tile him - like the space-shuttle. :D
Quote from: Hertsblue on 21 October 2012, 03:25:03 PM
Perhaps they could tile him - like the space-shuttle. :D
A space shuttle eh... Think of what you could use it for...?? even better!..
http://happypenguin.org/images/ghostbusters-ii.jpeg
Quote from: Hertsblue on 21 October 2012, 03:25:03 PM
Perhaps they could tile him - like the space-shuttle. :D
Won't that mean when a tile falls off he will explode spectacuarly? :D
Quote from: Just a few Orcs on 22 October 2012, 09:57:43 PM
Won't that mean when a tile falls off he will explode spectacuarly? :D
Only if he's leaking liquid oxygen. :d