( Kerens, Texas ) - Fair season is underway across Texas right now. The Gregg County and East Texas State Fairs have already wrapped up but there is plenty of fair fun still be had. All it takes is a road trip west on Interstate 20 into Dallas.

The State Fair of Texas is running through Sunday, October 19, at Fair Park in Dallas. There will be lots of great fair food, lots of rides to check out and a huge Texas greeting from Big Tex. But did you know Big Tex got his start in East Texas in 1949?

The History of Big Tex

In 1949, Kerens Chamber of Commerce manager Howell Brister proposed to the city council to build a giant Santa to bring tourists to the city. His plan was to build a 50-foot tall Santa that could be seen from Highway 31. Brister had already investigated the cost of buil

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