Severe weather forced the State Fair of Texas to push back its opening Thursday morning as heavy rain and powerful storms swept through the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Gates that were originally set to open at 10:00 a.m. will now welcome fairgoers at noon on October 1.
Fair officials cited active flash flood warnings across the DFW metroplex as a primary factor in the decision. Safety for attendees, vendors, and staff was listed as the top priority in an official statement released Thursday morning.
Fair leadership said they are working closely with the National Weather Service, AccuWeather meteorologists, and public safety partners to monitor conditions at Fair Park in real time. Officials stated that if severe weather approaches the fairgrounds ahead of any opening, they aim to alert fairgoers at least 45 minutes before a storm arrives so people have time to seek shelter or return to their vehicles.
Attendees heading to Fair Park are urged to monitor the fair’s official social media channels for the latest weather-related updates. An outdoor public announcement system will also be used to relay alerts from fair officials and local law enforcement if conditions change.
Despite Thursday’s disruption, Friday’s schedule is currently expected to remain on track. Parking lots are set to open at 9:30 a.m. on October 2 with gates following at 10:00 a.m. as originally planned.
The weather-related delay is a rare occurrence for the beloved annual event. According to NBC 5 meteorologist Adrienne Vonn, only three days of rain have been recorded during the State Fair of Texas since 2023.