Big Tex, the giant talking cowboy symbol of the Texas State Fair, burned this morning. An electrical short is believed to have caused the fire that destroyed all but the hands and framework of the 60-year-old icon.
Big Tex greets University of Oklahoma football fans every year when they flock to the Cotton Bowl for the annual Red River Rivalry game with Texas. I’ve lost track of how often I made that trek, but Big Tex was always there to greet us as we approached the stadium. The event wouldn’t be the same without him.
Mitchell Glieber, vice president of marketing for the State Fair, promised Big Tex will be rebuilt in time for the 2013 fair. “He’s our Mickey Mouse,” Glieber said.
The waving, talking 52-foot figure, bought in 1952 for $750, was consumed in just five minutes.
A real hot seat? Did you see all the pix? He was a real hottie. Oh, my – what will people stand next to for pictures?
Heh, yeah, a real hottie. I always looked forward to seeing him. I guess the pictures will have to wait until he returns next year.
He was odd and creepy in a friendly way
Terrorists are getting desperate.
Oh snap, another security failure. It hadn’t occurred to me that the “electrical problem” story was in fact a government cover-up. Well, we can rest assured that henceforth there will be taxpayer-funded security details stationed around every local icon in the country.
That’s too bad PT. I’ve seen Big Tex on TV many times. I hope they can get the replacement ready in time! 😀
I’m sure they will. I’m sure he means a lot more to Texans than he does to me.
Awwwwww
🙁
Oh my…I’m 67 and I saw him in Dallas in 1953, and at 7 years old, I was super impressed. This is sad, sniff, sniff. Tex is toast…..gives a whole new meaning to Texas Toast. James in Blanco
LOL. If I’d thought of that, I’d have used it in the title!