View source for Fair Park

{{About|the park in Dallas|other uses|Fair Park (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NRHP
 | name = Texas Centennial Exposition Buildings (1936–1937)
 | nrhp_type = nhld
 | image = Dallas_Fair_Park_Esplanade.jpg
 | image_size = 240
 | caption = Centennial Building in Fair Park
 | location = Bounded by Texas and Pacific RR, Pennsylvania, Second, and Parry Aves.<br />[[Dallas]], [[Texas]], U.S.
 | coordinates = {{coord|32|46|55|N|96|45|56|W|display=inline,title}}
 | locmapin = Texas#USA
 | map_label = Dallas<!--Texas Centennial Exposition Buildings (1936–1937)-->
 | locmap_relief = yes
 | area = {{convert|277|acre}}
 | built = {{Start date and age|1936}}
 | architect = [[George Dahl|George L. Dahl]], et al.
 | architecture = [[Art Deco]]
 | website = {{Official website|url=https://fairpark.org/index.php/en/|name=Fair Park, TX}}
 | designated_nrhp_type = September 24, 1986<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1964&ResourceType=District|title=Fair Park Texas Centennial Buildings|access-date=June 23, 2008|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018151949/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1964&ResourceType=District|archive-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref>
 | added = September 24, 1986
 | visitation_num =
 | visitation_year =
 | refnum = 86003488<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2013a}}</ref>
 | designated_other1 = TSAL
 | designated_other1_date = January 1, 1984
 | designated_other1_number = [https://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/Details/8200005923 8200005923]
 | designated_other1_num_position = bottom
 | designated_other2_name = [[List of Dallas Landmarks|Dallas Landmark]] Historic District
 | designated_other2_abbr = DLMKHD
 | designated_other2_color = #F5DEB3
 | designated_other2_date = March 4, 1987<ref name="DalOrd">{{cite web|title=Ordinance No. 27079|url=http://dallascityhall.com/departments/sustainabledevelopment/historicpreservation/DCH%20documents/pdf/FairParkOrdinance.pdf|year=2008|publisher=City of Dallas|access-date=August 16, 2018}}</ref>
 | designated_other2_number = [http://dallascityhall.com/departments/sustainabledevelopment/historicpreservation/Pages/landmark_districts.aspx H/33]
 | designated_other2_num_position = bottom
}}
'''Fair Park''' is a recreational and educational complex in [[Dallas|Dallas, Texas]], United States, located immediately east of [[Downtown Dallas|downtown]]. The {{convert|277|acre|ha|lk=on|adj=on}} area is registered as a [[Dallas Landmark]] and [[National Historic Landmark]]; many of the buildings were constructed for the [[Texas Centennial Exposition]] in 1936.

Fair Park has been designated a Great Place in America by the [[American Planning Association]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.planning.org/greatplaces/spaces/2011/fairpark.htm|title=Fair Park: Dallas, Texas}}</ref>

==History==
The site was established as an {{convert|80|acre|ha|adj=on}} fairground on the outskirts of [[East Dallas]] for the Dallas [[State Fair of Texas|State Fair]] in 1886. After a fire and financial loss by the fair association in 1904, voters approved the "Reardon Plan."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.watermelon-kid.com/places/FairPark/fp-history/history-intro.htm|title=Historic Fair Park - Park History|first=Steven|last=Butler|work=watermelon-kid.com|access-date=18 January 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131194125/http://www.watermelon-kid.com/places/FairPark/fp-history/history-intro.htm|archive-date=31 January 2017}}</ref> It became Dallas' second public park, known as "Fair Park."

An important figure in Fair Park's development was landscape architect and city planner [[George Kessler]]. In 1906, he was responsible for the first formal plan for the park influenced by the [[City Beautiful movement|City Beautiful Movement]]. The City Beautiful Movement advocated well planned public spaces, tree-lined boulevards, monuments, public art, and fountains which would 'beautify' the city.

A milestone in Fair Park's history was 1936, when the [[Texas Centennial Exposition]] was held there. In preparation for the six-month event, the appearance of the park was dramatically altered by architect [[George Dahl]] and consulting architect [[Paul Cret]]. The park was transformed from an early 20th-century fairground into an [[Art Deco]] showcase. While many of the exposition's buildings were meant to be temporary, several have survived and have been restored to some extent. Over the years, the park was expanded to its current {{convert|277|acre}}.

Fair Park was declared a [[National Historic Landmark]] in 1986 as one of the nation's largest surviving assemblages of buildings related to an exposition.<ref name="nrhpinv2">{{Cite journal|url={{NHLS url|id=86003488}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Texas Centennial Exposition Buildings (1936-37) / Fair Park (Site of Texas State Fairs 1886-date|date=December 24, 1985 |format=PDF |author=Stephen G. Snyder and James H. Charleton |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=2009-06-26}} and {{NHLS url|id=86003488|title=''Accompanying 19 photos, from 1985''|photos=y}}&nbsp;{{small|(4.10&nbsp;MB)}}</ref><ref name="nhlsum"/> Administration of the park was transferred to the Dallas Parks Department in 1988.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Skinner |first1=Clint |title=Dallas Fair Park: History |url=http://www.texasescapes.com/DallasTexas/Dallas-Texas-Fair-Park-History.htm |website=TexasEscapes |access-date=28 December 2021 |date=August 28, 2016}}</ref> Today, the cultural facilities and annual events attract an unsubstantiated estimate of 5 million visitors annually, the bulk of which attend during the 24-day [[State Fair of Texas]].{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

===Restoration and future===
Many of the existing Art Deco buildings have been restored visually to their 1936 appearance and upgraded to modern building standards. In anticipation of the [[Dallas Area Rapid Transit]] (DART) light rail service expansion to the area, the historic Parry Avenue entrance gates were restored in 2009. The four cameo reliefs on Centennial Building underwent a professional conservation treatment in 2000 and the Esplanade fountain pylons and six monumental sculptures in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aegisrestauro.com|title=Aegis Restauro - Architectural Conservation & Historic Preservation|work=aegisrestauro.com|access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref> Several sculptures were reconstructed and feature a dramatic light and water show.

In 2003, the Fair Park Comprehensive Development plan was produced by Hargreaves Associates. This comprehensive plan included recommendations for the physical site, park programs, activities, funding options, and management alternatives.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/qwertypoiuy/Jan/Fair+Park+Comprehensive+Plan+2003.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105141457/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/qwertypoiuy/Jan/Fair+Park+Comprehensive+Plan+2003.pdf |archive-date=5 January 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The park received a $72 million city bond allocation in 2006 for repairs and improvements.<ref>{{cite web|title=American Planning Association |url=http://www.planning.org/greatplaces/spaces/2011/index.htm#TX |access-date=30 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417212359/http://www.planning.org/greatplaces/spaces/2011/index.htm |archive-date=17 April 2012 }}</ref>

In September 2014, a blue ribbon task force appointed by Mayor [[Mike Rawlings]] submitted a report on the rejuvenation of Fair Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20140903-dallas-council-enthusiastic-about-proposal-to-privatize-fair-park.ece|title=Dallas council enthusiastic about proposal to privatize Fair Park - News - Dallas News|date=3 September 2014|work=dallasnews.com|access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref> The Mayor's Task Force plan envisioned a public-private partnership led by a non profit organization to be charged with over arching powers to control the revitalization of Fair Park, including the State Fair of Texas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fairpark.org/pdfs/mayors-task-force-report.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=fairpark.org |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013215935/http://fairpark.org/pdfs/mayors-task-force-report.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Architect/City planner Antonio Di Mambro, with international experience in infrastructure planning and neighborhood revitalization, encouraged the Mayor to use the Task Force report as a building block for constructive dialogue with residents, stakeholders and the neighborhoods around Fair Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/latest-columns/20140909-include-edges-in-fair-park-revitalization.ece|title=Include edges in Fair Park revitalization - Commentary - Dallas News|date=9 September 2014|work=dallasnews.com|access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref> Following the presentation of the Task Force Plan, Mayor Mike Rawlings said, "I felt passion by all the council and park board members that they want Fair Park to be all it can be and they're interested in taking this big challenge on".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcdfw.com/entertainment/the-scene/Dallas-Leaders-Praise-New-Fair-Park-Plan-273857481.html|title=Dallas Leaders Praise New Fair Park Plan|work=nbcdfw.com|date=September 4, 2014 |access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref>

In March 2015, the State Fair pushed back on any notion of tightening up the footprint of its current operation.  ''Dallas Morning News'' reporter Robert Wilonsky called the State Fair's response "rather dramatic"  The article also quoted Stephen Page of the closed Texas Museum of Automotive History from 2012 as saying, "The City's requirement that tenants vacate the majority of the buildings in Fair Park during the State Fair is the principal reason for Fair Park's ongoing decline."   Wilonsky also quoted a 'prominent member of the Mayor's Task Force' as suggesting privately "that the State Fair's presence at Fair Park also needs to be greatly reduced."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20150326-plan-to-reduce-state-fair-space-would-end-its-run-official-says.ece |title=Plan to reduce State Fair space would end its run, official says &#124; News |newspaper=[[Dallas News]] |date=2015-03-26 |access-date=2017-01-18}}</ref>

On November 18, 2015, Dallas City Council considered Mayor [[Mike Rawlings]]' proposal to turn over management of Fair Park to a non-profit corporation headed up by the "Father of DART" Walt Humann. Under the Mayor's plan, the city would still own the 277-acre site, but a non-profit foundation would manage the grounds and assets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://keranews.org/post/newsroom-fair-park-s-future-making-dallas-smart-city|title=From The Newsroom: Fair Park's Future; Making Dallas A Smart City|first=Krystina|last=Martinez|work=keranews.org|date=18 November 2015|access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref> In 2016 Mayor Mike Rawlings' proposal to turn the park over to a non-profit corporation headed by Humann was defeated by the Dallas City Attorney and a lack of support by Dallas City Council.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/the-fair-park-plan-is-dead-long-live-the-fair-park-plan-8807438|title=The Fair Park Plan is Dead! Long Live the Fair Park Plan|last=Schutze|first=Jim|date=2016-10-17|work=Dallas Observer|access-date=2017-08-30}}</ref>

In October 2018, the Dallas City Council voted unanimously to approve a management contract with Fair Park First. According to the plan, Fair Park First would receive $35 million over 10 years and would implement plans to rejuvenate the park and surrounding community.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodman |first=Matt |date=2018-10-24 |title=The City Council Unanimously Approves Privatizing Fair Park |url=https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2018/10/the-city-council-unanimously-approves-privatizing-fair-park/ |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=D Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> At the time, some within the city parks board expressed concern that a contract between the non-profit Fair Park First and its for-profit subcontractor, Oak View Group, excluded the city from oversight of park operations.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Goodman |first=Matt |date=2024-10-11 |title=Fair Park's Misspent Millions: The Call Came From Inside the House |url=https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2024/10/fair-parks-misspent-millions-the-call-came-from-inside-the-house/ |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=D Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> Following a whistleblower report in early 2024 about spending irregularities, a review by the city found that more than $5 million in donor-restricted funds had been improperly used for park operations.<ref name=":0" />  

==Cultural district==
Many Dallas cultural institutions call Fair Park home.

[[File:Fair Park Lake Monster.jpg|thumb|200px|The Leonhardt Lagoon]]
[[File:Texas State Fair Cotton Bowl from skyway 2.jpg|thumb|200px|The [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]]]]
[[File:Dallas African American Museum 4.jpg|thumb|200px|African American Museum]]
[[File:Fair Park Music Hall 2.jpg|thumb|200px|Music Hall at Fair Park]]

;Hall of State
{{Main|Hall of State}}
The Hall of State is managed by the Dallas Historical Society, which hosts exhibits inside about Dallas history and culture.

;Old Mill Inn
The Old Mill Inn was one of the few Texas Centennial Exposition buildings not to incorporate Art Deco styling. Clad in fieldstone with heavy-timber construction, this was the exhibit building for the flour milling industry. It now sporadically serves Fair Park as a restaurant.<ref>{{cite web |title=Old Mill Inn Restaurant - Fair Park |url=https://artandseek.org/calendar/organization/3337/old-mill-inn-restaurant-fair-park |website=Art and Seek |access-date=28 December 2021}}</ref>

;Magnolia Lounge and (former) Hall of Religion
This little-known project by New York architect [[William Lescaze]] introduced [[European Modernism]] to Texas in 1936. The design of this hospitality lounge for the [[Magnolia Petroleum Company]] included elements commonly found in [[Art Deco]] architecture. However, the building's overall image was radically different from that of any other structure at the Texas Centennial Exposition.

Site of [[Theatre '47]], the first professional, regional theater company in the United States, the small performing space, the [http://www.margojonestheatre.org/venue.html Margo Jones Theatre] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531201215/http://www.margojonestheatre.org/venue.html |date=May 31, 2019 }} pays tribute to the visionary founder of America's regional theater movement [[Margo Jones]].<ref name="mjtheatre">{{citation |title = The Margo Jones Theatre at the Magnolia Lounge |publisher = Margo Jones Partnership |website = Margo Jones Theatre |url = http://www.margojonestheatre.org/venue.html |access-date = May 31, 2019 |archive-date = May 31, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190531201215/http://www.margojonestheatre.org/venue.html |url-status = dead }}</ref> Immediately adjacent to the Magnolia Lounge is the former Hall of Religion.

;African American Museum
{{Main|African American Museum (Dallas)}}
The current museum building occupies virtually the same site as the Texas Centennial Exposition's Hall of Negro Life. It boasts a permanent collection that consists of the works of such highly regarded African American artists as [[Romare Bearden]], [[Jacob Lawrence]], [[Larry D. Alexander]], [[John T. Biggers]], [[Clementine Hunter]], [[Benny Andrews]], [[Edward Mitchell Bannister]] and [[Arthello Beck]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Skinner |first1=Clint |title=Dallas Fair Park - 19. African American Museum |url=http://www.texasescapes.com/DallasTexas/Dallas-Texas-Fair-Park-19-African-American-Museum.htm |website=TexasEscapes}}</ref><ref>http://www.aamdallas.org/ African American Museum</ref>

;The Leonhardt Lagoon
South of the Midway, George Dahl arranged Dallas's future cultural institutions informally around a tranquil lagoon, offering Texas Centennial exposition visitors a peaceful, naturalistic counterpoint to the activity of the exposition.

In 1981, [[Patricia Johanson]] was commissioned to redesign and restore the badly degraded lagoon. Since reopening in 1986, the redesigned lagoon has become recognized as a major earth sculpture and one of the earliest examples of art as [[bioremediation]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Skinner |first1=Clint |title=Dallas Fair Park - 20. Leonhardt Lagoon |url=http://www.texasescapes.com/DallasTexas/Dallas-Texas-Fair-Park-20-Leonhardt-Lagoon.htm |website=TexasEscapes}}</ref>

;Museum of Nature and Science
{{Main|Perot Museum of Nature and Science}}
The Museum of Nature & Science occupied two buildings around the lagoon (one named "The Science Place"),{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} and a planetarium next to the WRR building, before moving most of its operations to the new [[Perot Museum of Nature and Science|Perot campus]] at [[Victory Park, Dallas|Victory Park]] in December 2012. The former History Building remains open on weekends as a secondary campus of the Perot Museum.<ref>{{cite web |title=From Fair Park to Victory Park Transition |url=http://www.perotmuseum.org/visit-the-museum/fairpark-victorypark.html |website=Perot Museum of Nature and Science |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008001555/http://www.perotmuseum.org/visit-the-museum/fairpark-victorypark.html |archive-date=October 8, 2012}}</ref> The IMAX theatre and planetarium at the Fair Park campus are shuttered.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

The History Building, once the Museum of Natural History, was designed for the Texas Centennial Exposition as a monolithic, rectangular box. The entrance features three vertical window bays with decorative aluminum mullions. Flanking it are paired pilasters with shell-motif capitals. The rest of the building is clad in limestone. In 1988, the northeast corner of the building was excavated, creating a series of landscaped terraces.

;Fair Park Band Shell
The concentric plaster arches of the Band Shell comprise an essentially Art Deco composition. Elements of the [[Streamline Moderne]] style are present in the reinforced concrete backstage building. Lighting pylons surround the sloping 5,000-seat amphitheater.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Skinner |first1=Clint |title=Dallas Fair Park - 24 Fair Park Bandshell |url=http://www.texasescapes.com/DallasTexas/Dallas-Texas-Fair-Park-24-Fair-Park-Bandshell.htm |website=TexasEscapes}}</ref>

;Texas Discovery Gardens
This was the original Horticulture Building for the Texas Centennial Exposition. It has since been altered by exterior renovations and additions, including the minimalist glass Blachly Conservatory. In the gardens behind the main structure is a model home that the [[Portland Cement Company]] originally built for the Exposition.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Skinner |first1=Clint |title=Dallas Fair Park - 25 Texas Discovery Gardens |url=http://www.texasescapes.com/DallasTexas/Dallas-Texas-Fair-Park-25-Texas-Discovery-Gardens.htm |website=TexasEscapes}}</ref>

;Cotton Bowl
{{Main|Cotton Bowl (stadium)}}
The [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]] stadium was built in below-grade in 1930, and was originally known as "Fair Park Stadium." Subsequent expansions resulted in a present capacity of 92,200. The [[Cotton Bowl Classic]] [[college football]] [[bowl game]] was played there from 1937 to 2009. Annually during the State Fair of Texas, it hosts the [[Red River Showdown|OU–TX]] game between the [[Oklahoma Sooners football|University of Oklahoma]] and the [[Texas Longhorns football|University of Texas]], along with the [[State Fair Classic|Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic]] game between [[Grambling State Tigers football|Grambling State University]] ([[Louisiana]]) and [[Prairie View A&M Panthers football|Prairie View A&M University]]. It was also the first home of the [[Dallas Cowboys]], from [[1960 Dallas Cowboys season|1960]] until their move to [[Texas Stadium]] in [[Irving, Texas|Irving]] in <!--October-->[[1971 Dallas Cowboys season|1971]].

;Music Hall at Fair Park
{{Main|Music Hall at Fair Park}}
Music Hall, built in Spanish colonial revival style, was the [[General Motors]] Building during the Centennial Exposition. It underwent extensive remodeling in 1972. It was home of the [[Dallas Opera]] until 2009 and is the current home for [[Dallas Summer Musicals]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Skinner |first1=Clint |title=Dallas Fair Park - 8 Music Hall |url=http://www.texasescapes.com/DallasTexas/Dallas-Texas-Fair-Park-8-Music-Hall.htm |website=TexasEscapes}}</ref>

;Women's Building
{{Main|The Women's Museum}}
The Women's building was originally built in 1910 as a park coliseum. It was remodeled as an Art Deco structure for the Centennial Exposition during which it was known as the Hall of Administration. The building was operated as The Women's Museum from 2000 to 2011, but now is only used for special events and exhibits.

==Midway and other structures==
[[File:Vietnam Memorial Fair Park 3.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Texas State Vietnam Memorial]]
*The [[Texas Star]], opened in 1985, is the fourth-largest [[Ferris wheel]] in North America.<ref>[[List of Ferris wheels]]</ref>
*Among political infighting, lawsuits and community unrest, [[Starplex Amphitheatre]] (f/k/a Smirnoff Music Centre, Coca-Cola Starplex, and Gexa Energy Pavilion, and n/k/a Dos Equis Pavilion) was built. Former Park Board member Jim Graham said the City's agreement with PACE Entertainment "stinks".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/1988/december/outdoor-theater-from-hell|title=OUTDOOR THEATER FROM HELL! – D Magazine|work=dmagazine.com|date=December 1988 |access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref>
*The Texas Skyway, opened in 2007, is an art deco-styled gondola ride that transports visitors {{convert|65|ft|m}} above the ground for a ride that is one-third of a mile.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fairpark.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=217|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713080218/http://www.fairpark.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=217|archive-date=2010-07-13|title=Texas Skyway|website=Fair Park}}</ref>
*The Top o' Texas Tower, opened in 2013, is a {{convert|500|ft|m|adj=on}} observation tower ride.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bigtex.ntelligentsystems.com/ns/PressRelease/ViewPressRelease.asp?PRelId=324 |title=State Fair of Texas |website=bigtex.ntelligentsystems.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821031750/http://bigtex.ntelligentsystems.com/ns/PressRelease/ViewPressRelease.asp?PRelId=324 |archive-date=21 August 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The tower's base may eventually house a museum devoted to the State Fair and Texas Centennial Exposition collection.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dfwandbeyond.com/destinations/summer-adventures-in-fair-park |title=Summer Adventures in Fair Park - DFW Tourism |website=www.dfwandbeyond.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109191732/http://www.dfwandbeyond.com/destinations/summer-adventures-in-fair-park |archive-date=9 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> At a cost of more than $12,000,000, the Tower was to be the featured ride of the failed Summer Adventures program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://amusementtoday.com/backissues/at_august_2012_web.pdf |title=Amusement Today |date=August 2012 |website=Amusementtoday.com |access-date=2017-01-18}}</ref> Summer Adventures, while planned as an annual event, was open for one year and shuttered, despite a $30,000,000 investment.<ref name="dallasnews.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/white-rock-east-dallas/headlines/20140218-there-wont-be-summer-adventures-in-fair-park-this-year.ece|title=There won't be Summer Adventures in Fair Park this year - East Dallas - Dallas News|date=18 February 2014|work=dallasnews.com|access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref>
*Fair Park is home to the [[Texas State Vietnam Memorial]].

==Annual events==
[[File:Big Tex 2013.jpg|alt=|thumb|[[Big Tex]], 2013]]

*The complex's signature event is the annual [[State Fair of Texas]], which has been held there since 1886. It currently lasts 24 days and begins in the last Friday in September and runs to the third Sunday in October.

===Summer Adventures in Fair Park (initially called Summer Place Park)===

*The State Fair had plans to unveil Summer Place Park in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fairpark.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=216|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713085731/http://www.fairpark.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=216|title=Summer Place Park|website=Fair Park|archive-date=July 13, 2010}}</ref> These plans would eventually turn into Summer Adventures in Fair Park, a beach-themed amusement park, that operated from May to August 2013.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} Despite a $30,000,000 investment in Summer Adventures, the event was shuttered after just one season.<ref name="dallasnews.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/fair-parks-summer-amusement-venture-is-dead-is-anyone-surprised-7126192|title=Fair Park's Summer Amusement Venture Is Dead. Is Anyone Surprised?|last=Schutze|first=Jim|date=2014-02-21|access-date=2016-08-31}}</ref>

===Other events===
*The [[North Texas Irish Festival]] takes place the first weekend in March each year.
*Earth Day Texas takes place annually in April.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://earthdaytx.org/about|title=About Us - Earth Day Texas|work=earthdaytx.org|access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref>
*Fair Park Fourth is the annual [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] celebration for the City of Dallas.

{{Clear|right}}

==Other notable events==
<!-- [[List of Formula One Grands Prix]] links here, so if you rename the section, please update the link -->
{{More citations needed section|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox motorsport venue
| Name          = Dallas Grand Prix Circuit
| Location      = Fair Park, Dallas
| Time          = [[UTC-06:00]]
| Image         = [[File:Circuit Fair Park Dallas.svg|250px]]<br>Grand Prix Circuit (1984)<br />[[File:Dallas-Fair-Park-GP-Circuit--TransAm-Circuit-1988.png|250px]]<br>Trans-Am Circuit (1988)
| Opened        = {{Start date and age|df=no|1984|07|06}}
| Closed        = {{Start date and age|df=no|1988|05|01}}
| Events        = [[Formula One]]<br />''[[Dallas Grand Prix]]'' (1984)<br />[[Trans-Am Series]] (1988)<br />[[Can-Am]] (1984)
| Layout1       = Trans-Am Circuit (1988)
| Miles_first   = True
| Length_km     = 2.092
| Length_mi     = 1.300
| Turns         = 13
| Record_time   = 0:58.269
| Record_driver = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Hurley Haywood]]
| Record_car    = [[Audi 100#Motorsport|Audi 200 Quattro]]
| Record_year   = [[1988 Trans-Am Series|1988]]
| Record_class  = [[Trans-Am Series|Trans-Am]]
| Layout2       = Grand Prix Circuit (1984)
| Miles_first2  = True
| Length_km2    = 3.901
| Length_mi2    = 2.424
| Turns2        = 23
| Record_time2  = 1:45.165
| Record_driver2= {{flagicon|IRL}} [[Michael Roe (racing driver)|Michael Roe]]
| Record_car2   = [[VDS-002]]
| Record_year2  = [[1984 Can-Am season|1984]]
| Record_class2 = [[Can-Am]]
}}

*The 1936 film ''[[The Big Show (1936 film)|The Big Show]]'', starring [[Gene Autry]], was filmed at Fair Park and much of its architecture is heavily featured.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Big Show (1936) |url=https://texasarchive.org/2010_00838 |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=texasarchive.org |language=en}}</ref>
*In 1961, the [[musical film]] ''[[State Fair (1962 film)|State Fair]]'' was filmed in Fair Park.
*In July 1984, Fair Park was transformed into a [[List of Formula One circuits|Formula One circuit]] for a weekend to host the [[1984 Dallas Grand Prix|Dallas Grand Prix]] and [[1984 Can-Am season|Can-Am]] race. The event was conceived as a way to demonstrate Dallas's status as a "world-class city", but the track was unsuccessful.
*In May 1988, Fair Park also hosted [[Trans-Am Series]] race with a different layout.
*On March 8–11, 1990, the [[Nintendo World Championships]] were held within the Fair Park's Automobile Building.
*In the early 2000s, Fair Park and many of its cultural institutions (The Science Place, The Dallas Museum of Natural History, Texas Discovery Gardens, and others) were featured heavily on the TV series ''North Texas Explorer''.
*The 18th episode of [[Prison Break (season 2)|season 2]] of ''[[Prison Break]]'' has scenes that take place in Fair Park and feature "Jumbo" the mammoth statue, The Women's Museum, the Leonhardt Lagoon, and other attractions.
*In December 2013, the Chanel Paris–Dallas pre-fall show was held at Fair Park.
*In January 2021, Fair Park became a mass [[COVID-19]] vaccination hub operated by [[Dallas County, Texas|Dallas County]] Health and Human Services.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dallas County Plans to Transition Fair Park COVID-19 Vaccine Hub to Drive-Through, See 12,,000 People Per Day|url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/dallas-county-plans-to-transition-fair-park-covid-19-vaccine-hub-to-drive-through-see-12k-people-per-day/2539709/|access-date=2021-02-11|website=NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth|date=February 2, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref> FEMA also opened a hub at the park for vaccinations of 17 underserved zip codes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Here are the ZIP codes that will be prioritized for the FEMA COVID-19 vaccine site at Fair Park|url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/zip-codes-prioritized-fema-covid-19-vaccine-site-fair-park-dallas-county-priority/287-02a175b5-0dcc-4647-af59-4444e30e490e|access-date=2021-03-22|website=wfaa.com|date=23 February 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Lap records===

The fastest official race lap records at the Dallas Fair Park Circuit are listed as:

{| class="wikitable"
!Category!!Time!!Driver!!Vehicle!!Event
|-
! colspan=5 | Trans-Am Circuit: 2.092&nbsp;km (1988)<ref>{{cite web |title=Dallas - Fair Park (Guido de Carli) |url=http://www.gdecarli.it/php/index.php?var1=1&var2=2 |access-date=29 January 2023}}</ref>
|-
| [[Trans-Am Series|Trans-Am]] || '''0:58.269'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Trans-Am Dallas 1988 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Dallas-1988-05-01-8594.html |access-date=29 January 2023}}</ref> || [[Hurley Haywood]] || [[Audi 100#Motorsport|Audi 200 Quattro]] || [[1988 Trans-Am Series|1988 Dallas Trans-Am round]]  
|-
! colspan=5 | Grand Prix Circuit: 3.901&nbsp;km (1984)
|-
| [[Can-Am]] || '''1:45.165'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Can-Am Dallas 1984 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Dallas-1984-07-08.html |access-date=29 January 2023}}</ref> || [[Michael Roe (racing driver)|Michael Roe]] || [[VDS-002]] || [[1984 Can-Am season|1984 Dallas Can-Am round]]
|-
| [[Formula One]] || '''1:45.353''' || [[Niki Lauda]] || [[McLaren MP4/2]] || [[1984 Dallas Grand Prix]]  
|-
|}

==Transportation==
*Fair Park is easily accessible from [[Interstate 30|I-30]], the major east-west interstate through [[Dallas]].
*Fair Park is served by several bus routes by [[Dallas Area Rapid Transit|DART]].
*[[Dallas Area Rapid Transit|DART]]'s [[Green Line (DART)|Green Line]] connects Fair Park to southeast and downtown Dallas with [[Fair Park station]] and [[J.B. Jackson Jr. Transit Center|MLK Jr. station]]. During the State Fair of Texas [[Dallas Area Rapid Transit|DART]] runs "special event" trains from the [[Red Line (DART)|Red Line]] and [[Blue Line (DART)|Blue Line]] to Fair Park Station.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/092309dnmetfairsafety.1a61a692d.html |title=State Fair of Texas officials address health, safety concerns as opening day nears &#124; News for Dallas, Texas &#124; Dallas Morning News &#124; Latest News |website=www.dallasnews.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926005548/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/092309dnmetfairsafety.1a61a692d.html |archive-date=26 September 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Education==
[[Irma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School]] is located in Fair Park.<ref>"[http://www.feyw.org/content/our-schools Our Schools] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006092031/http://www.feyw.org/content/our-schools |date=2011-10-06 }}." Foundation for the Education of Young Women. Retrieved on May 23, 2011. "The school is located in Fair Park at 1718 Robert B. Cullum Boulevard."</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|National Register of Historic Places|Texas}}
*[[List of National Historic Landmarks in Texas]]
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Dallas County, Texas]]
*[[List of Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks (Cameron-Duval)#Dallas County|Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Dallas County]]
*[[List of Dallas Landmarks]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Other sources==
*Rob Walker (October, 1984). "1st Dallas Grand Prix: Cool Keke". ''Road & Track'', 178-182.
*Mike S. Lang (1992). ''Grand Prix!: Race-by-race account of Formula 1 World Championship motor racing. Volume 4: 1981 to 1984''. Haynes Publishing Group. {{ISBN|0-85429-733-2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061106164334/http://www.dallascityhall.com/html/fair_park_information.html City of Dallas: Fair Park]
* [http://www.fairpark.org Friends of Fair Park]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101027072837/http://dallasparks.org/downloads/FairParkCompExecSumm.pdf Dallasparks.org: Fair Park Comprehensive Development Plan]

{{Dallas Neighborhoods|selected=southdallas}}
{{Dallas}}
{{Formula One circuits}}
{{Trans-Am tracks}}
{{Pirelli World Challenge circuits}}
{{Can-Am circuits}}
{{NRHP in Texas}}

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[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Dallas]]
[[Category:Motorsport venues in Texas|Dallas (Fair Park)]]
[[Category:Defunct motorsport venues in the United States|Dallas (Fair Park)]]
[[Category:Formula One circuits|Dallas (Fair Park)]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Dallas]]
[[Category:Paul Philippe Cret buildings]]
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