Drinks vary as well. Not just in price, but in the amount that you actually get. Look for booths that have fountain drinks or beer on tap. Some booths have them in cans, although this is more common for beer than for soft drinks. A can does not fill up the cup, but tap drinks will pretty much guarantee a full glass.

Do you go to the fair to shop? Sure you do. You shop for a car or truck, you shop for souvenirs, and you shop for crafts. Some people just shop for what is cheap or on sale. So why not shop for food? You see more choices before deciding so you have a chance to figure out what you want more than other things. Which will help with the “oh, I that look’s good, I hadn’t seen that before” impulse buys. And when you finally do decide on something, you realize while you are enjoying it that part of your day at the fair is already gone and you have already saved money by waiting to eat. When you eat, take time to enjoy it. It will fill you up more. Have fun at the State Fair.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

The K-9 show, the “Jump!” tour, was entertaining as the dog show always tends to be. The show not only had the Frisbee catching dogs, and the pole racing, but also including the jumping competition into the water tank. It was almost refreshing to the audience just to see the dogs being soaked in cool water.

The Birds of the World show at the Bandshell is always a colorful visual treat. The grace of the birds is rather peaceful to watch. Having seats in the shade was a definite plus. Although they presented basically the same show, they did through in a few new surprises. Even though I had seen the performance before, the color and grace of the birds was still captivating.

Then back to the TXU Energy Arena for the pig races. The pig races were amusing, even if it was hard to understand the master of ceremonies through the mic crammed into his face and the southern accent. There’s just something about seeing pigs race. It can be downright funny.

Tomorrow I’ll talk about the food, of which there is an abundance.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

If you plan to go to the State Fair tomorrow, and are not going to the Texas-OU game, I would suggest going early enough to leave before the end of the game. If not, you will get home later than you would like.

Macon Greyson, Adairs Saloon, 2624 Commerce St., 214-939-9900. 9 p.m.

Becca Dalrymple, Love and War in Texas, Plano, 601 E. Plano Pkwy, 972-422-6201. 8 p.m.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

Our family is planning to go this coming Monday. My wife and I have picked out all the shows we and the boys want to see. They are spaced out such that there will be little time to do anything else. I usually let them play a game or two on the Midway. It does not take them long to realize how impossible it is to win big.

When the boys want to do something that will cost extra, I always let them know that for each of us to have a corny dog and drink costs about twenty-five dollars. Since eating is high on their priority list for the day, it usually slows them down a bit. I also point out that they had an opportunity to earn their own money. Since they did not do their chores they are empty-handed.

Riding rides has never been an issue. Our boys have never been excited about riding the rides at any fair or event with rides. For one thing, we let them know what they could have and do if they used the money elsewhere. They usually opt for the alternate plan.

With Conner, the oldest, beginning to get into cars now, the automobile shows will keep them occupied for a while. The events we have picked out alternate between things Cyndy and I want to see and would like them to see with us and things the boys want to see and we can live with. Then there are the ones just too fun to pass up. I mean, who would not want to see pig races - at least once?

I have known families who blew their family budget - and their diet - by going to the fair. They tried to see everything and do everything and pay out the wazoo for the experience (they never really see everything or do much of it at all). Mostly, people succumb to the sights and sounds of unique foods, obviously most of which is fried.

But if you plan ahead, a trip to the State Fair can be thoroughly enjoyable without emptying your pockets. Our plan? Get up, have a good breakfast, and head to the fair. After parking (the first $10) getting in (buy advance tickets at Kroger), and getting a map, we head to the first event. After the first couple of events, we get lunch and head to the next one. We’re through just before dinner time. So we head back home for dinner.

Only one meal out, and we had an enjoyable time seeing shows, exhibits, and activities at the State Fair. If we are in a good mood and they act fairly decent, they may come home with a souvenir. It did not cost us an arm and a leg. And if we did not see it, we probably did not need to - we saw what we came to see.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

There are plenty of things at the State Fair to see and do beside the rides, the midway, the shows, and stuffing yourself with all things fried. The Women’s Museum, the African American Museum, and the Hall of State all have wonderful exhibits and are included in the park admission. The Museum of the American Railroad is a wonderful step back in time and worth the minimal extra admission.

If you are a baseball fan, for just an extra $1 at the Museum of Nature and Science, you can see the “Baseball as America” exhibit organized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. The display examines the influence of baseball on fan experience, physics and technology, pop culture, racial integration, and others. You can see a Honus Wagner baseball card which I understand to be one of the rarest. Among other things, you can see the baseball tossed out by Cy Young in 1903 in the first World Series.

Daily 10 - 7, Sat. 10 -5, Sun. Noon to 5. 214-428-5555

Have a good day and peace be with you.

All three performing artists are homegrown Texas talent. Ray Wylie and Shelley Laine are from the Dallas area. How else to complete a day of Pig Races, Dog Shows, Livestock Shows, fried delights, and all things Texas? Just do not tell the boss.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

Tonight, as I mentioned in an earlier post, Grupo Fantasma plays at 8 p.m. on the Chevrolet Main Stage. Their mixture of rhythms will keep your feet tapping. Maybe just break out and dance. Or watch the dancers who are a little better at it. Should be interesting.

Saturday, Boyz II Men perform their harmonizing R&B. They are releasing a Motown tribute record in November, so there are sure to be some Motown classics in the show. It would be a good break in the afternoon at the fair. Grab a corny dog and beverage, find a place to seat, and listen to some good harmony.

If you are going to the fair Sunday, end the day with Bowling for Soup as they return to town for the fair. After all, they are from Denton. An irreverent show to be sure, but their onstage antics are sure to entertain. They have come a long way from being a garage band around town.

Enjoy the State Fair this weekend. All three shows are at the Chevrolet Main Stage.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

Jimmy Webb, Poor David’s Pub, 1313 South Lamar, 214-565-1295, 8:30 p.m. Friday. Front Gate Tickets.

Billy Joe Shaver, Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave., 214-824-9933, 8 p.m. Saturday, Doors open at 7.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

I will be bringing you more activities, concerts, and ways to wander around Fair Park each day. The State Fair usually means fall weather and some rain along the way - both of which we could use. There will still be hot days of course, but even variation is a change of pace.

Texas State Fair, Fair Park, September 28 - October 21. Click on the link for more information.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

Ed Burleson, Love and War in Texas, Plano, 601 E. Plano Pkwy, 972-422-6201, 7:30 p.m.

David Allan Coe, House of Blues Music Hall, Victory Park, 2200 North Lamar Street, 214-978-2583, Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets at the door or Ticketmaster.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.