Save Me Steve: State Fair Kid Attractions

DALLAS - The great State Fair of Texas is in full swing and this year there is plenty of family fun. FOX 4’s Steve Noviello takes a look at some of the best attractions for kids.

At the Children's Health Barnyard you can meet furry friends, goats, pigs, ewes, giraffes and zebras. The kids can pet the animals or feed them for $1 per cup of food. It’s located at the corner of Admiral Nimitz Circle and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Little Hands on the Farm (also at the corner of Admiral Nimitz and MLK) is a free interactive exhibit for kids between the ages of 2 and 8. Between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., wee farmers can learn about the entire life of a meal from seed to harvest to market to meal. They can also practice feeding chickens, planting seeds and selling crops in the general store.

The Kids' Boardwalk has free interactive shows and attractions, including temporary tattoos and face painting. It’s adjacent to the Lagoon and open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with varying show times.

The Kidway inside the Midway has dozens of rides that are perfect for toddlers and young kids. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and most rides cost 6 to 8 tickets.

Hitch a ride on vintage pedal tractors weighted to increase difficulty in the Ag Power Plaza. The free Kids’ Pedal Tractor Pulls test strength and endurance for kids ages 4 to 12. Up to 20 kids can participate by signing up shortly before race times, which are 2:30, 2, 3:30 & 5 p.m.

At the Pee Wee Stampede in the Ranch Arena, northeast of the Cotton Bowl, kids ages 3 to 6 can participate in mock rodeo events such as horse races on stick horses, barrel racing and bronco bustin. All rodeo participants receive ribbons and winners earn trophies. The first 25 cowboys or cowgirls in line before each rodeo begins get to participate. The three free daily rodeos start at 12, 1:30 and 4 p.m.

The free Starlight Parade begins at 7:15 p.m. at the intersection of First Avenue and MLK and ends in front of the Coliseum. The 20-minute parade includes stilt walkers, animated costume characters and life-sized puppets. Various local school bands also perform nightly, as well as the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps.

LINK: www.bigtex.com