The Fair on Game Day

MBHORNSFAN · October 8

6 hours ago, TXSooner518 said:

Hey all,

One of the reasons I always liked 11a for this game is that the fair opens parking at 7a and gates at 8 when the game is early. That let us get to the fair at 7, drink in the lot til 8, then get a Fletcher's and a fried butter etc while the air was crisp and the lines were short to non-existent. The last time the game was 2:30, the website said parking at 9 and gates at 10. We went with that, and it was hot and crowded when we arrived. But people mentioned that it still opened early that year? Anyone with any intel about when parking/gates will open this year?

Gates open at 7am Saturday.

hornbri · October 8

I also remember in 2017 the gates were open before 9am

utee94 · October 9

On 10/7/2024 at 9:49 PM, MBHORNSFAN said:

Gates open at 7am Saturday.

Except for @TXSooner518. Guards will be posted at all gates and the moment they hear a Sooner exclaim "muledick" they will apprehend him and escort him off the premises. Not even @Constant 's billy club and inoperable body cam will be enough to save him.

TrashMaster G · October 9

I have no problem with lots of Sooners being there in person Saturday, because the best part of the day is walking around the Fair after the game and flashing huge shit-eating grins at all the sad Okies.

We're going to kick their asses, so that WILL happen.

gernblansten · October 9

30 minutes ago, TrashMaster G said:

I have no problem with lots of Sooners being there in person Saturday, because the best part of the day is walking around the Fair after the game and flashing huge shit-eating grins at all the sad Okies.

We're going to kick their asses, so that WILL happen.

utee94 · October 9

51 minutes ago, TrashMaster G said:

I have no problem with lots of Sooners being there in person Saturday, because the best part of the day is walking around the Fair after the game and flashing huge shit-eating grins at all the sad Okies.

We're going to kick their asses, so that WILL happen.

Man I sure hope so!

One of the absolute lowest points for me, as a Longhorn fan, occurred after Mack's second Debacle in Dallas, the 65-13 beat-down in 2003. I stuck around for the entire game, sitting and chatting with Robert Brewer who is best friends with a friend of mine. (That's not the low part, that was actually great!). We were three of probably fewer than two hundred Texas fans left at the end.

After the game came to its merciful end, and we'd sung the Eyes, I made my way back into the food pavilion to grab some tater tots and meet up with my friends as I always do. I was standing in line behind a Sooner chatting quietly with a friend of mine, and as the Sooner finished ordering, he turned around and told the guy behind the bar "Also, throw in 2 beers for these guys." He asked what we wanted, we ordered, thanked him, and then talked to him for a while. Heck of a nice guy, and he actually felt sorry for us and was very polite and respectful

When a Sooner is polite and respectful to you, at the State Fair, and buys you beer-- well that's about as low as a Longhorn can feel.

It almost felt worse than the 1991 Cotton Bowl. Aside from the hypothermia and frostbite of course.

Edited October 9 by utee94

hornbri · October 9

Here is the official schedule from the Texassports:

Gameday Timeline

7:00 a.m. - Parking Lots open

7:00 a.m. - State Fair of Texas fairgrounds open

8:00 a.m. – Marty & McGee Show LIVE outside the Hall of State near Big Tex. FREE Admission!

8:00 a.m. - Midway, Tower Building, and outdoor concessions open*

9:00 a.m. - SEC Nation LIVE outside the Hall of State near Big Tex. FREE Admission!

10:30 a.m. - Ticket resolution locations open between Gates A & B and outside Gate J

12:15 a.m. - Team bus arrival – Cheer on the Longhorns as they arrive on Coliseum Drive and make their way near Gate L!

12:30 p.m. - Cotton Bowl Stadium Gates Open

2:30 p.m. - Kickoff

Kennythetiger · October 9

1 minute ago, hornbri said:

Here is the official schedule from the Texassports:

Gameday Timeline

7:00 a.m. - Parking Lots open

7:00 a.m. - State Fair of Texas fairgrounds open

8:00 a.m. – Marty & McGee Show LIVE outside the Hall of State near Big Tex. FREE Admission!

8:00 a.m. - Midway, Tower Building, and outdoor concessions open*

9:00 a.m. - SEC Nation LIVE outside the Hall of State near Big Tex. FREE Admission!

10:30 a.m. - Ticket resolution locations open between Gates A & B and outside Gate J

12:15 a.m. - Team bus arrival – Cheer on the Longhorns as they arrive on Coliseum Drive and make their way near Gate L!

12:30 p.m. - Cotton Bowl Stadium Gates Open

2:30 p.m. - Kickoff

Years ago someone posted their personal routine for the fair/ football game, and it was beautiful prose. I always read it in George Clooney’s voice when he narrated the boat going out of the harbor in “The Perfect Storm”.

Ignatius · October 9

On 10/7/2024 at 8:43 PM, bigcigar said:

What’s the best way to get out as quickly as possible? I’d love to stay around, but have to get home by 7.

Assuming home is somewhere Dallas-area, I would park in the hood east of the stadium and take Haskell/Military Parkway all the way to 635. Anything at all going west or north from the fairgrounds will be a complete clusterfuck. It’s not the most direct route but at least you’ll be moving.

millhouse · October 10

6 hours ago, hornbri said:

Here is the official schedule from the Texassports:

Gameday Timeline

12:15 a.m. - Team bus arrival – Cheer on the Longhorns as they arrive on Coliseum Drive and make their way near Gate L!

If the team is getting there at 12:15 a.m. what the hell are they going to be doing for 14 hours???

Surly Bevo · October 10

36 minutes ago, millhouse said:

If the team is getting there at 12:15 a.m. what the hell are they going to be doing for 14 hours???

Meditating, giving offerings to Ares the God of War and preparing to bring....

Edited October 10 by Surly Bevo

Funk Doctor Spock · October 10

7 hours ago, Ignatius said:

Assuming home is somewhere Dallas-area, I would park in the hood east of the stadium and take Haskell/Military Parkway all the way to 635. Anything at all going west or north from the fairgrounds will be a complete clusterfuck. It’s not the most direct route but at least you’ll be moving.

That's where we park and nothing has ever happened. The game we beat the Sooners when Colt was here (2009, I want to say) and when we were leaving to get back to the car, this random dude threw up the hook Em sign as we were leaving and he was in his car. It felt powerful. We had a connection. Best thing about the win was I took my British friend and best friend (Sooner alum), and it was glorious seeing my brit friend happy to be there, and the sadness on my other friend's face. Had a glorious time except for the fucking sunburn I got.

Now that I think about it, I should have posted it on Craigslist of me and that baller throwing the hook Em at one another without any words exchanged.

Biff Tannen · October 10

8 hours ago, Kennythetiger said:

Years ago someone posted their personal routine for the fair/ football game, and it was beautiful prose. I always read it in George Clooney’s voice when he narrated the boat going out of the harbor in “The Perfect Storm”.

Big dumb Sooners

Rockethorn1978 · October 10

So if I get there around 9:30 will there be parking inside the fair or need to get there a little earlier?

MirrOlure · October 10

So if I get there around 9:30 will there be parking inside the fair or need to get there a little earlier?

You must have an extreme level of tolerance and patience if you plan to drive in on Game Day.

I’d say earlier if you want to park on site.

Our routine is to prearrange an Uber to pick us up at a DART station, park there, then take DART back after the game

TheAuditor · October 10

Critical Question: Does the SEC rule of no exit during halftime exist for SEC stadiums or SEC vs SEC games? Can I go get my three wax paper beers at halftime or no?

Doc Daneeka · October 10

Just now, TheAuditor said:

Critical Question: Does the SEC rule of no exit during halftime exist for SEC stadiums or SEC vs SEC games? Can I go get my three wax paper beers at halftime or no?

State Fair rules apply.

Red Five · October 10

They sell beer in the stadium now.

TonyTexas · October 10

13 minutes ago, Doc Daneeka said:

State Fair rules apply.

I saw Del Conte’s tweet as well. And neither of you answered the real question w if reentry is allowed.

Edited October 10 by TonyTexas

Doc Daneeka · October 10

Just now, TonyTexas said:

I saw Del Conte’s tweet as well. And neither of you answered the question.

Yes, it answers the question. If the Fair rules apply, the SEC’s don’t.

Surly Bevo · October 10

So if I get there around 9:30 will there be parking inside the fair or need to get there a little earlier?

All the years of the game being at 11am it seems like most people start rolling up around 9 or 9:30 at least on the south side lots. I think with the extra time you would be fine with 9:30.

TonyTexas · October 10

Just now, Doc Daneeka said:

Yes, it answers the question. If the Fair rules apply, the SEC’s don’t.

The real question asked was if reentry was permitted so beers could be had at halftime. I haven’t read the State Fair rules manual.

Doc Daneeka · October 10

Just now, TonyTexas said:

The real question asked was if reentry was permitted so beers could be had at halftime. I haven’t read the State Fair rules manual.

A thought experiment: what was the situation for this game before the SEC got involved? Three beers in wax cups, right? Therefore…

TonyTexas · October 10

3 minutes ago, Doc Daneeka said:

A thought experiment: what was the situation for this game before the SEC got involved? Three beers in wax cups, right? Therefore…

Ok. Good point.

Ignatius · October 10

8 hours ago, Rockethorn1978 said:

So if I get there around 9:30 will there be parking inside the fair or need to get there a little earlier?

You’ll be fine parking in the fair park lot at 9:30 for a 2:30 kick, though you’re going to be way the fuck at the back of the lot.

GreenspointTexas · October 10

I always park at the Bottle Rocket spot every year for the past 20 years and never encountered traffic in or out of the fair

DFWTexEx · October 10

For several years, we parked at James Madison HS on MLK. We came in from the South and it was easy. But I hear they have some construction going on. The Google map view shows a huge construction site but I don’t know what is happening now. Has anyone been there recently?

6th Street · October 10

Expect to see a lot of obesity

UTexasFight · October 11

Yes, you can leave and come back at halftime.

Exit/re-entry to Cotton Bowl Stadium in allowed for the Red River Rivalry. You must receive a pass out slip to leave the stadium. Please talk to the nearest ticket attendant near the end of the 2nd quarter.

Physical pass-outs will be issued at Gates A, C, G, and J at halftime (with re-entry required through those gates)

Edited October 11 by UTexasFight

Stunns38 · October 11

For several years, we parked at James Madison HS on MLK. We came in from the South and it was easy. But I hear they have some construction going on. The Google map view shows a huge construction site but I don’t know what is happening now. Has anyone been there recently?

Went past there earlier, MLK has some road construction. The high school looked fine.

Red Five · October 11

For several years, we parked at James Madison HS on MLK. We came in from the South and it was easy. But I hear they have some construction going on. The Google map view shows a huge construction site but I don’t know what is happening now. Has anyone been there recently?

Shhhhhh

Zepol87 · October 11

Park off Haskell and take the fair tram easiest way to back to 30

Delta Charlie · October 11

We’re headed up that morning without tickets and hoping to find a couple. If we’re unsuccessful, is there a good place to actually watch the game? I believe I’ve read on here the beer garden near big Tex has a big screen, but I can’t recall.

Horndog · October 11

21 minutes ago, Delta Charlie said:

We’re headed up that morning without tickets and hoping to find a couple. If we’re unsuccessful, is there a good place to actually watch the game? I believe I’ve read on here the beer garden near big Tex has a big screen, but I can’t recall.

Magnolia Beer Garden next to the Fiesta marionette show. Look for the Shiner table umbrellas.

Okcool · October 11

33 minutes ago, Delta Charlie said:

We’re headed up that morning without tickets and hoping to find a couple. If we’re unsuccessful, is there a good place to actually watch the game? I believe I’ve read on here the beer garden near big Tex has a big screen, but I can’t recall.

NO PAPER TICKETS FOR TEXAS/blowU game. Don't get taken like the 100+ idiots last couple of years thinking they got a deal last minute. The stadium/ticket entry attendants in on the scam so they scan in with no problem. You've been warned...

markstanco · October 11

I usually park at the lot North of the stadium off Pacific. Having said that, it was for an 11A start times and I got there when the gates opened, like at 6A or whenever it is. You are a 5 iron to the stadium from there.

TrashMaster G · October 11

3 minutes ago, markstanco said:

I usually park at the lot North of the stadium off Pacific. Having said that, it was for an 11A start times and I got there when the gates opened, like at 6A or whenever it is. You are a 5 iron to the stadium from there.

Will they let you take the 5 iron into the Fair grounds?

markstanco · October 11

Yes, it is frowned upon.

TXSooner518 · October 11

NO PAPER TICKETS FOR TEXAS/blowU game. Don't get taken like the 100+ idiots last couple of years thinking they got a deal last minute. The stadium/ticket entry attendants in on the scam so they scan in with no problem. You've been warned...

There are some but rare. I got tickets from a realtor whose grandfather requested them with his season tickets.

Ghost of LL · October 11

3 hours ago, Delta Charlie said:

We’re headed up that morning without tickets and hoping to find a couple. If we’re unsuccessful, is there a good place to actually watch the game? I believe I’ve read on here the beer garden near big Tex has a big screen, but I can’t recall.

Stay outside the Fair if you're looking for scalp tickets (and, as warned above, everything is electronic). The game ticket is also your ticket to the Fair, so sellers should be outside.

If you can't score a ticket, go over to Craft & Growler on Peavy just across the street from the Fairgrounds.

NameAlreadyInUse · October 11

Can you still talk your way into the stadium with a ticket taker if you wave a little cash at him? That used to work great in the 90's.

ITHorn · October 11

31 minutes ago, NameAlreadyInUse said:

Can you still talk your way into the stadium with a ticket taker if you wave a little cash at him? That used to work great in the 90's.

Last year you could just walk right back in after halftime. 0 fucks given by anyone working at that point.

DigglerontheHoof · October 11

2 hours ago, NameAlreadyInUse said:

Can you still talk your way into the stadium with a ticket taker if you wave a little cash at him? That used to work great in the 90's.

I got pulled up over the wall behind the ticket takers last year b/c the backup at the gate was so bad. Landed on my feet right in front of a cop and walked to my seat.

HRSchenker · October 11

I just got back from the fair. The Fletcher corny dogs are kickass again this year and the best wacky food IMO is the Texas fried burnt end bomb (sweet, smokey, and delicious). Don't waste your money on the hot chicken pancake poppers or the holy cheesus pizza. Fucking trash.

statsman · October 11

May need a little help. The ticket transfer just isn’t smooth. Does anyone know where the StubHub pop up office is for the game, if there is one?

ousux · October 11

Can you still talk your way into the stadium with a ticket taker if you wave a little cash at him? That used to work great in the 90's.

I'm sure you can still do that, I had some neighbors (just doing the fair for the kids) who came in middle of the second quarter in 2017 for just a $40 handshake...3 people including the munchkin.

Edit- no guarantees, but those people aren't exactly highly paid and most have a serious lack of gaf.

Horndog · October 12

7 hours ago, Ghost of LL said:

If you can't score a ticket, go over to Craft & Growler on Peavy just across the street from the Fairgrounds.

Peavy is nowhere close to the Fair. Parry maybe?

markstanco · October 12

I just got back from the fair. The Fletcher corny dogs are kickass again this year and the best wacky food IMO is the Texas fried burnt end bomb (sweet, smokey, and delicious). Don't waste your money on the hot chicken pancake poppers or the holy cheesus pizza. Fucking trash.

Try any sweets? I’m curious about the pineapple ice cream and Tajin spice on top. I’m not sure how that would work out but I’d try it.

MirrOlure · October 12

Try any sweets? I’m curious about the pineapple ice cream and Tajin spice on top. I’m not sure how that would work out but I’d try it.

The bacon cinnamon roll at the Cajun place in the middle of the midway is awesome. As are the boudain egg rolls.

txduck87 · October 12

The bacon cinnamon roll at the Cajun place in the middle of the midway is awesome. As are the boudain egg rolls.

I’m thinking a cardiologist could set up a tent at the fair and make a fucking killing.

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The Fair on Game Day

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