South Texas State Fair facts for kids
Quick facts for kids South Texas State Fair |
|
|---|---|
| Genre | State fair |
| Begins | late March – 27 March 2025 |
| Ends | early April – 06 April 2025 |
| Frequency | annually |
| Venue | I 10 |
| Location(s) | Ford Park, Beaumont, TX 77705 |
| Coordinates | 30°0′35.68″N 94°10′50.78″W / 30.0099111°N 94.1807722°W |
| Country |  United States of America |
| Years active | 1907–1916, 1919–1941, 1946–2004, 2006–2007, 2009–2019, 2021– (Cancelled 1917–18 – World War I, 1942–1945 – World War II, 2005, 2008 – Hurricane Damage, 2020 – pandemic) |
| Founded | 1907 |
| Founder | City of Beaumont |
| Attendance | Estimated 500,000 |
| Member | Texas Association of Fairs and Events |
| Sponsor | Young Men's Business League (YMBL) since 1942 |
The South Texas State Fair is a big yearly event in Beaumont, Texas. It's like a giant party that brings together fun rides, amazing food, and cool shows. You can see farm animals, check out different businesses, and enjoy the carnival games.
Food is a huge part of the fair! Besides classic carnival treats, you can try local favorites. These include delicious barbecue, spicy Tex-Mex, and flavorful Cajun dishes. Sometimes, you might even find fried alligator!
In 2009, over 500,000 people visited the South Texas State Fair. This made it the second-largest fair in Texas, right after the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. The fair happens every year from late March to early April. Security guards, Beaumont Police, and Jefferson County Sheriff's officers help keep everyone safe.
Contents
Fair History: How It Started
The South Texas State Fair began way back in 1907 in Beaumont. It has been held almost every year since then. There were a few times it had to be canceled. These included during World War I (1917–1918) and World War II (1942–1945). It was also canceled in 2005 due to Hurricane Rita and in 2008 because of Hurricane Ike. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2020 fair to be canceled as well.
Name Changes Over Time
When it first started, the fair was called the Beaumont Fair. Later, it became the Southeast Texas State Fair. Finally, in 1921, it got its current name: the South Texas State Fair.
YMBL: The Fair's Organizers
Since 1942, a group called the YMBL (Young Men's Business League) has run the fair. The YMBL is a local non-profit group that works to improve the community.
The Fair During World War II
Even during World War II, when many other big fairs like the State Fair of Texas closed, the South Texas State Fair kept going. It was called the "YMBL Victory Fair." The YMBL says the U.S. military asked them to keep it open. This was to help boost the spirits of soldiers stationed near Beaumont.
Moving to Ford Park
After the war, the fair continued to grow. For many years, it was held at the Beaumont Fairgrounds. But in 2004, the South Texas State Fair moved to a new, bigger location: Ford Park. This park is located on I-10 on the west side of the city.
Why the Fair Moved to Spring
The fair used to happen in the fall. However, after the 2008 cancellation, it moved to a new schedule. Since March 2009, the fair has been held in the spring. This change was made for several reasons. The weather is often better in spring, and there's less competition from football games. It also worked better for the company that provides the carnival rides, Bill Hames Shows.
