DALLAS, Texas (KXII) – When you think of the State Fair of Texas, you probably think of fried food, games on the Midway and the big Ferris wheel, the Texas Star, but there’s plenty new at the fair this year.
Familiar favorites keep families, couples and kiddos coming back, but what’s new at the State Fair of Texas in 2026? There’s 78 rides on the Midway, with two new thrills.
There is the ‘Thor.’ “It’s the only ride of its kind in the U.S., and it will turn you upside down multiple times,” said Senior VP of Midway Operations Rusty Fitzgerald.
And then there’s the $1.8 million ‘Impact.’ “I call it a family ride because you don’t go upside down, but you’ll bounce up and down, and turn side to side,” Fitzgerald said.
Rides aren’t the only new things at the fair this year. There’s also plenty of new foods including the ‘Twinkle Twinkle Brisket Star’ from the 48-year fair vendor Smokey John’s. It’s a hollowed-out Twinkie filled with slow smoked brisket, cream cheese and sauteed jalapenos.
“Then we batter it, roll it in panko, fry it, drizzle some raspberry chipotle sauce to give it a little heat, and we top it off with a little bacon and garnish it with jalapenos,” said Smokey John’s Co=owner Juan Reaves.
And to get the kiddos to eat veggies, new vendor DJ Gay with ‘Thee Kitchen Beast’ says to try frying them.
“This little boy, he was turning 10, and he had told his parents ‘I want to go to the fair and eat the broccoli,’ very surprising,” Gay said.
The ‘Texas in the Saddle’ show is yet another new addition to the 2026 fair season. It’s a free equestrian attraction for those looking to take a step in the shade inside Pan Am Arena.
The show explores the beauty of the horse, wows with tricks and honors the armed forces. Fifth-generation horseman Nicholas Diaz rides Falcor, a first-time performer.
“America’s celebrating its 250th anniversary,” Diaz stated. “The national anthem is always something that just chokes me up because it symbolizes so much of what people have sacrificed for.”
You can see the herd up close at the ‘Beyond the Saddle’ exhibit.
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