The State Fair of Texas is here! Not only the food is an attraction but the rides on the midway and the exhibits bring people from all over the state to see the annual phenomenon. The fair has been in existence over 100 years. Thousands of people enter the gates to seek thrills and spills and gawk at Big Tex in the beginning of fall.

Located at Fair Park, 3921 Martin Luther King Blvd., Dallas, the fair will run until October 17. The following are ticket prices:

General Admission: $15
Kids under 48” tall: $11
Seniors 60 and over: $11
Children 2 and under: Free
Seniors 60 and over: Free Thursday, Oct. 14
Dallas Fall Garden Getaway: $18

PARKING:
Self parking is available on official State Fair lots for $15 per space.

Check area grocery stores, movie theater and soft drink cans for promotions to receive a reduced rate on your ticket. For more details on entertainment and schedules, visit their website.

Horses, kings, queens, javelin spears and knights. Excitement with an 11th century flair-all served with a four-course meal. This means Medieval Times and they have a special deal right now. All seats are $29.95 with online offers and upgrades. See their website. Located at 2021 N. Stemmons, Dallas 75207. Root for your favorite knight. Hazzah!

There is so much to do this October. Festivals, carnivals, pumpkin patch tours and tons of entertainment all over.

ITALY
October 8 The Gladiators take a road trip as they battle Blooming Grove. The game begins at 7:30.
October 9 Carter Blood Drive will be located at the Cornerstone on Main beginning at 9am. Please bring a list of your medications and a picture id. Everyone come out and participate.
October 9 The Lady Gladiators JV and Varsity Volleyball teams host Maypearl for a district game beginning at 11:00am at the dome. Check the community calendar for more games throughout October.
October 9 2010 Lord’s Acre Carnival, BBQ and Auction The day begins with a children’s carnival and free concert featuring JRide and The Followthrough. Bring your lawn chair or blanket to sit on the grass and enjoy the sound of Christian music. Also, while the bands are playing, the children can participate in a wonderful carnival with games for all ages. BBQ begins at 5pm and the auction is at 7pm. All proceeds will benefit the Methodist Church’s mission and ministry outreach. For more details contact Rev. Krista Ingram at 972-483-6335 or email [email protected].

October 13-The Italy chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is sponsoring an event at 7:00 p.m. at the Italy HS football field. Students from Italy HS will be joining thousands of other youth on athletic fields all across America to share their Christian faith with fellow students during the 7th Annual National Fields of Faith event. This rapidly growing, interdenominational outreach event will be held at more than 400 locations throughout the nation on this same date. If you want to help with this function or participate contact Heather Richters by emailing [email protected] or call 972-483-7411.

October 16 10th Annual Monolithic Dome Tour If you have ever wanted to see the inside of a dome home, now’s your chance. Five private homes will be open 10am-4pm for a free tour. See the in’s and out’s of a Monolithic Dome, why they are so strong and tornado resistant. KBEC will conduct a live remote from 8am-10am and homemade BBQ will be for sale-sandwiches and plates. Everyone is invited to visit the caterpillar.

October 24-The Roundup features a free brisket meal and a children’s rodeo with stick horses and all kinds of fun. Hosted by Central Baptist Church and it begins at noon. For more details call 972-483-7474.

Oct 31-Central Baptist offers The Alternative which includes a trunk or treat at the Cornerstone parking lot. It all begins at 6:30. At 8pm, JRide will give a concert in the Cornerstone. Everyone is invited.

DALLAS
October 7, 14, 21, 28 Cool Thursdays Concerts Includes Curvee on Oct. 7, Petty Theft — Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute on Oct. 14, Micky & The Motorcars on Oct. 21, and The M80’s on Oct. 28. Dallas Arboretum. For more details, visit their website or call 214-515-6518.

October 8-9 Liza Minnelli Legendary singer performs American standards with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Located at Meyerson Symphony Center. Information can be seen at their website.

October 23 Taste of Greenville Avenue In the parking lots between the 5700 block of Richmond Avenue and Prospect Avenue, taste the different offerings of eateries in the area. For more details, visit their website or call 214-824-9933.

October 29-30 Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Psycho The orchestra plays the classic score to Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” as the film shows on the big screen. Meyerson Symphony Center. For more information, visit their website.

ARLINGTON
October 30-Sally Ride Invites Girls To Explore Science Located at the University of Texas at Arlington. The Sally Ride Science Festival will bring together hundreds of upper elementary and middle school girls, parents and teachers for a day of science. It is open to the public and runs from 11am-4:15pm. A $20 advanced registration fee includes the featured talk, workshops, lunch and the street fair. For more details visit their website or call 800-561-5161.

CUERO
October 8-10 Turkeyfest This 38th annual event features the Great Gobbler Gallop, grand parade, carnival, food and commercial booths, family entertainment, live music, turkey races and more. Located at Cuero City Park. For more details, visit their website or call 361-275-6351.

WACO
October 8-16 Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo Enjoy rodeo events, midway rides, live music and more. Located at the HOT Fair Complex. Visit their website or call 254-776-1660.

ENNIS
October 8-30 Greater Tuna shown at the Ennis Public Theatre. Call 972-878-4748 for more details.

STEPHENVILLE
October 9 Bygone Days Enjoy exhibits and artifacts from the past along with cowboy gunfights, Civil War demonstrations, live entertainment, arts & crafts and more. Located at Stephenville Museum. Visit their website or call 254-965-5880.

PLANTERSVILLE
October 9-November 28 36th Annual Texas Renaissance Festival This event is located at 21778 FM 1774. For more details call 800-458-3435. This festival is every weekend and features 8 themed, fun weekends. Everything from Oktoberfest to Pirates Adventure, All Hallows Eve to Celtic Christmas. Come join the fun and visit their website.

FORT WORTH
October 14-16 49th Annual Senior Citizens Fair Arts & Crafts Marketplace Thousands of handcrafted items from quilts and stained glass to woodwork and baked goods made by talented seniors for shoppers of all ages. Amon G. Carter Exhibit Hall, 3400 Burnett Tandy Dr., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can see more information on their website or call (817) 300-4772.

GRAPEVINE
October 16 Annual Butterfly Flutterby Celebrates the annual migration of the Monarch butterfly with a butterfly release, the Gossamer Parade, exhibits, gardening seminars, interactive butterfly arts & crafts and entertainment. Historic Downtown. Check out their website or call 800-457-6338.

GRAND PRAIRIE
October 24 Girls with Guitars Three legendary Texas women together on stage. Uptown Theater. For more information, visit their website or call 972-237-UPTN.

PLANO
October 24 Heritage Afternoon in the Park Celebrate the history of the Collin County region and the pioneer spirit of its original citizens. Meet traditional artisans as they practice their crafts. Enjoy performances by local bluegrass bands, square dancing and storytelling. Children’s activities include cane pole fishing and a roping pen. Explore downtown with a Victorian Wedding Heritage walking tour. Located in Haggard Park, downtown Plano, 11am – 6pm. Email [email protected] for more details.

October 23-24 Star Trek Fan Days Meet stars from the iconic TV shows — including William Shatner, Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spiner — and be transported to a world of everything Star Trek. Plano Centre. View their website or call 972-941-5840.

SCHULENBURG
October 16-17 Texas Polka Party Enjoy music in three historic Texas dance halls — Swiss Alp Hall in Swiss Alp, Pavilion Hall in La Grange and Turner Hall in Schulenburg. E-mail: [email protected] or call 512-567-7570.

ELGIN
October 23 Hogeye Festival Features live music, arts & crafts, kids’ activities, car show, barbecue pork cook-off, dart contest, crowning of King Hog or Queen Sowpreme, pet parade, carnival, talent show, dessert contest, cow-patty bingo, art show and more. Located on Main Street. Their website has more details or call 512-281-5724.

WAXAHACHIE
October 23 2010 15th Annual Bob Phillips Country Reporter Festival in Downtown Waxahachie The largest Festival held in Waxahachie. Over 200 hundred vendors line the streets in beautiful historic downtown square. Browse unique booths, as well as shop at our many Antique and Specialty Shops. Music is featured all day on the main stage in front of the Courthouse. For schedule of events, call 972-937-2390.

TEMPLE
October 23 Czech Feszt & Temple Cruisin’ Classics Car Show Enjoy entertainment, food, music and more as two festivals team up for one great event. Santa Fe Railroad Depot, Downtown Temple. To see more details, go to their website or call 254-298-5900.

Mark your calendars for all the fun there is to do in Texas. You cannot be bored living in this state. From carnivals to cook-offs and car shows to show tunes, you can have fun if you stay at home or drive a little while. Happy hunting.