Big Tex Is Getting New Boots

(Mix 93-1) He is larger than life. He brings smiles to the faces of kids and adults. He's only around for a few weeks every year. No, I'm not talking about Santa Claus, I'm referring to Big Tex at The State Fair of Texas.

Big Tex—Texas’s Most Recognizable Cowboy

Big Tex stands tall and proud outside the Tower Building and Grand Place on Grand Blvd. in Dallas from early September to mid-October to welcome millions of Texans each year to Fair Park to enjoy the annual state fair. Standing 55 feet tall, Big Tex waves at fairgoers and says his world-famous phrase, 'Howdy Folks'.

Each year, the fair staff has the daunting task of assembling and dressing Big Tex for the big show. Throughout his storied life, Big Tex has showcased many styles, but always with a cowboy hat, a dress shirt, and cowboy boots.

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Lucchese Launches the Big Tex Boot Design Contest

Big Tex has been wearing the same boots since 2023—it’s time for a new pair. Lucchese has teamed with the State Fair for a contest for someone to design a new pair of boots for this Texas icon. Designers should note they’re designing for a guy with size 96 boots!

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How to Enter the Big Tex Boot Design Contest

You could be the one working with Lucchese, like Jessica Bonilla of Irving did in 2023, to give Big Tex his next pair of boots for the world to see. You can submit your design and more using the templates found at BigTex.com. Deadline to submit your design is January 31, 2026. The winning design will be announced on March 2, 2026.

From Santa to State Fair Icon

When you started reading this article, I'm sure it seemed like you were going to read something that had to do with Santa Claus. While the article is about Big Tex and new boots for the 2026 fair season, I'm here to say that Big Tex was actually a Santa Claus before becoming the icon that he is for The State Fair of Texas. It's a fascinating story that you can read about. Then, when you see Big Tex in person next year at the fair, you can just picture him in his Santa outfit.