Each year at about this time, Banowetz + Company Production Manager Dawn Grimes can be heard roaming throughout the office with her not-so-subtle rallying cry “Corn-Eee-Dawg!” It’s our tip-off that it’s Texas State Fair time (as if we could miss it, being across the street from the fairgrounds) and that the legendary Banowetz Fair Day is soon approaching.

This year, with our staff bigger than ever, we had several rookies who had not yet done the fair “Banowetz-style” and had to be introduced to the rituals of this special event. First stop, Fletcher’s Corny Dogs (hence Dawn’s battle cry); next stop, four-coupon beer (or at least that’s what it was 15 years ago, and we’re still calling it that even though it’s now eight-coupon beer). After that, we eat a smorgasbord of fried items. From there, it’s a toss-up, with a combination of rides, attractions and sampling food finalists’ concoctions, accompanied by general goofiness and tomfoolery.

We’d like to say “what happens with Big Tex stays with Big Tex...” but we’ve got photos! Enjoy!

— Team Banowetz