Watch The Big Fair - Inside the Great State Fair of Texas

The State Fair of Texas is not only an institution in the state but a bit of living history. For over 100 years Texans have been coming to what has become the largest state fair in the country. This film gives an overview of the fair and its history including rare film footage of the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition and archive photos from the very first fairs. More than a historical documentary, The Big Fair goes behind the scenes of the modern fair and shows the day to day workings of this huge event.

The fair is not just a showcase for Texas agriculture and farm products but a massive entertainment venue. The event features football games, concerts, a world-class automobile show, touring Broadway musicals and one of the biggest midways in the world.

The excitement, the history, the spectacle and the people who make the fair happen all play a part in this unique documentary. Filmed in 2001 just prior and after the events of 9/11 there is the additional story of how such a public event deals with the national tragedy. Increased security measures and public fears notwithstanding, the 2001 fair set a record for attendance.

Our crew was given unprecedented access to every aspect of the fair both prior to and during the exposition. It is a detailed but entertaining look at the workings of a large organization and a major public event.

The Big Fair - Inside the Great State Fair of Texas is a 2001 documentary with a runtime of 50 minutes.