State Fair of Texas Guide: Oct. 14-Oct. 20

The neon lights are big and bright.

Three’s a lucky number, some say (OK, we say), and it just so happens to be the third week of the State Fair of Texas. We admit that for many reasons, this is the week we’ve been waiting for. The concerts are decent, the temperature is dropping to accommodate fewer cool-off visits to the air-conditioned automobile advertiseathon, and Fair Park has been designated one of our great public spaces. Don’t forget that you can charge your phone in the Chevy Town Square.

Friday, Oct. 14

Jaguar Drivers Club of North Texas. Our grandfather once considered purchasing a Jag, and he was sold until he took a look in the trunk. “Not enough space!” he declared, and went and bought another Lincoln. Still, these suckers sure are pretty. 10 a.m. Grand and 1^st Ave.

Finger Eleven. 8:30 p.m. Chevrolet Main Stage.

Saturday, Oct. 15

Amazing Dobermans. See a bunch of super-cute pups do fancy tricks. It’s a good thing dogs aren’t allowed on the fairgrounds; your own puppy might get jealous. 3 and 4 p.m. Pan Am Arena.

Traditional dancing. Keolas Hula Halau (10 a.m., 10:50 a.m.), Dolunay Rose Dancers (10:30 a.m., 11:20 a.m. ), Bulgarian Folk Dance Ensemble (11:40 a.m., 2:10 p.m.), Lees White Leopard Kung Fu Show (12:10, 1:40, 3:20 p.m.), Ballet Folklorico Festival (12:40, 3 p.m.), Samba Vida (1 p.m.), Flemish Folk Dancers of the Belgian-American Club of Texas (2:40 p.m.), Ari Rang Korean Dance Group (3:50 p.m.) Guadalupe Dance Company and Academy (4:20 p.m.) Hall of State.

Hah. Hahahaha.

Hanson. It is without shame that we tell you that it has only been about a year since our last Hanson concert experience. We will be at this show with bells on, ready to “Mmmbop.” 8:30 p.m. Chevrolet Main Stage.

Sunday, Oct. 16

Celebrity Kitchen. Tiffany Derry of the newly open Private Social also happens to be a former Top Chef contestant. 4:30 p.m. Contest Kitchen/Creative Arts Building.

Nokona: Baseball Glove Making. Nokona has been making gloves about two hours north of Dallas since 1934. Every single one is cut, stamped, laced, and stitched by hand. Noon and 4 p.m. Food and Fiber Pavilion.

Lantana. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 p.m. Bud Light Sound Stage.

Monday, Oct. 17

Contest Kitchen. Farm to market to fair is the name of the game. Contestants can only use fresh produce to come up with savory or sweet dishes. 10:30 a.m.

Johnny Stimson. This singer/songwriter describes himself as “goofy,” and his music as “close-knit vocal harmonies, varying instruments, and more hooks than a Peter Pan prop auction.” We’ll give him props for the decent joke. 8:30 p.m. Chevrolet Main Stage.

Home of Tomorrow. See the zero-net energy house of tomorrow, today. It’s filled with features like solar collectors and water harvesting technology. The lovely ladies of D Home blogged all about it. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Main Gate Plaza.

The future consists of kitchen appliances that are not black, white, or chrome.

Tuesday, Oct. 18

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Lauren Williams and Alexandra Caroline put in an appearance to sign autographs and look hot. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Centennial Building.

The Nouveaux Honkies. As you might have guessed from their funky name, the Nouveaux Honkies play a mix of country, swing, and blues. 4, 5:45, and 8:30 p.m. Chevrolet Main Stage.

Fort Worth Zoo Live Animal Encounters. We’re hoping for an elephant, but we have the feeling we might be disappointed there. Noon. Food and Fiber Pavilion.

Wednesday, Oct. 19

Bring three cans of food or three other nonperishable, healthy food items and get in for $2. Yup. It’s courtesy of Kroger and the North Texas Food Bank, where the donations will go.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Championship. Put your best “death by chocolate” recipe to the test using Ghirardelli baking pieces. 10:30 a.m. Contest Kitchen.

Blue Bell “Have an Ice Cream Float” Day. Cool off with a free treat, which is something that does not happen at the fair all that often. Noon. Food and Fiber Pavilion.

The Rankin Twins. 4, 5:45, and 8:30 p.m. Chevrolet Main Stage.

Thursday, Oct. 20

West Side Story. When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way. Similarly, when you’re a West Side Story fan, you might just be a fanatic. The show marked a turning point in American musical theater when it premiered on Broadway more than 50 years ago. Stephen Sondheim later said that he felt his lyrics were unrealistic—characters like Tony and Maria would never sing a song like “Tonight,” for example—but the music is still beloved and the musical is still insanely popular. Read the FrontRow review before you go, and get into the fair for free with your ticket. 8 p.m. Music Hall at Fair Park.

If you feel like "Something's Coming," after that last corny dog, stay far away from the Midway.

The Quebe Sisters. Hulda, Grace, and Sophie Quebe (Kway-bee) have been making music together since they were kids. Now they mix western swing, country, bluegrass, and jazz with Texas-style fiddling. 4, 5:45, and 8:30 p.m. Chevrolet Main Stage.

Friday, Oct. 21

Celebrity Kitchen. Paula Lambert of the Mozzarella Company demonstrates her cheesemaking prowess. 6 p.m. Celebrity Kitchen/Creative Arts Building.

Pan Am Breeding Sheep Show: Fine Wool Breeds. We happen to have Merino wool cardigan of which we are quite fond. See where your prettiest, softest winter sweaters come from. 2 p.m. Swine arena.

Texas Beekeepers Association: Cooking with Honey. Noon and 4 p.m. Food and Fiber Pavilion.

Randy Travis. 8:30 p.m. Chevrolet Main Stage.

DAILY ATTRACTIONS

Milking Parlor Demos. Watch cows from local farms demonstrate modern milking procedures. 11 a.m., 12:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m. Pan Am Barn.

State Fair of Texas Wine Garden. Enjoy wine by the glass and snacks daily, plus live music (including jazz) on the weekends. Experts will also conduct “wine talks.” 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays through Mondays, and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. Wine talks usually occur around 1 p.m.

The Texas Skyway. Can’t decide where to eat, what to ride, or whom to see onstage? This 1,800-foot aerial track is a great way to scope out the fairgrounds.

Cirque Shanghai. A group of Chinese acrobats perform amazing aerial stunts and contort their bodies into all sorts of insane positions. Noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.; additional performance at 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Gateway Plaza.

BMX Bike Star Show. Big Time 720 Action Sports team performs gravity-defying feats. 6 p.m.-1 a.m. The Thrillway.

Pig Races. Three times a night, visitors can bet on their favorite bovines as they trundle down the pike. 6, 6:45, 7:45 p.m. Pan Am Arena.

These little piggies are going "whee, whee, whee" all the way to the finish line.

United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corp. Catch these guys, who came all the way from Washington, D.C., every afternoon from Sept. 30 to Oct. 17 at Marine Corps Square, as well as each night during the evening parade (excluding Wednesdays).

Illumination Sensation. This nightly show—likely to leave the kids (and some of their parents) with mouths agape—features lights, water, music, and fireworks. 8 p.m. Esplanade reflecting pool.

Reliant Starlight Parade. We love a parade, particularly one with lighted floats, drum and bugle players from the U.S. Marine Corps, and giant puppets. 7:15 p.m.

Chevrolet Town Square. Test drive new cars and power up your mobile phone — a super handy feature that’s new this year. Activities for kids include a mini Texas Rangers wiffle ball stadium and a soccer shootout park. East Park Plaza near gate II.

Jump! Ultimate Dog Show. Dog lovers will want to check out this show demonstrating canine skills and agility at least once. 11 a.m., noon, 1 and 2 p.m. Pan Am Arena.

Farmer Mike Pumpkin Carver. Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Greenhouse on the Midway.

Kroger Birds of the World Showcase. 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 6 p.m. every day. The Band Shell.

Jeep Climbing Wall. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Jeep Show/Automotive Building.