Hey Justin, Nate and all other shutterbugs
Lets boogy down to fair Park and get some pix!!!!!
This it another exciting time to be a Dallas Photo junkie!!!
Yeah Baby!!!!
Scott Dorn
Hitting the streets with the cam
http://www.flickr.com/photos/70886669@N00/
http://homepage.mac.com/sdorn/dallas_shots
http://www.myspace.com/177586541
seems to me they are spending a lot of money on a lot of low excitement projects to start... why not start with a bang?
Not to mention they don't seem to make good use of what is already at the fair... like the Texas Hall of state... what a great tourist place it could be if anyone knew about it.
"Low excitement"? What could be more exciting than a super-fast speedboat ride?Originally Posted by gshelton91
As for "good use" of existing structures... my first thought when hearing about the tramway (well, second, after wondering if it could be extended to downtown) was that there are so many treasures at Fair Park that could use that money. But you could plunk down $100 gazillion on refurbishing the Art Deco buildings, and they'll still gather dust and eventually crumble unless you bring people to see them, admire them, and most importantly, use them.
These projects hope to bring people to the area. That is the only thing that will make it possible to keep this national treasure intact. As long as Fair Park is a once-a-year deep-fried destination sticky with cotton candy, the public has 11 months to forget it even exists. But bring people there on a regular basis, and there finally will be enough visibility that a North Dallas city council member can vote for preservation without his constituents asking why where their taxes are going to a place they've never been.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals... Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. - B. Obama 1/20/09
Dallas Historical Commission operates the Hall of State and seems to not advertise it. Even though Fair Park is mentioned all over the place in travel guides even, not much is made about it except that its the site of the State Fair of Texas and has some historical buildings. The reason they choose the air trolley thing first is it will be built faster than the tower and will make a strong impact sooner rather than later as the entree to the Star of the show that will be the Tower. The tower will take longer and the sky ride will show people things are changing at the park. The same concept I believe is what happening at Victory. Timing is everything as one project is finishing another is starting. This builds momentum for onlookers. Victory has been building on a stage so will Fair Park small ride to get people use to being in the air next the main attraction a new 400ft tower will be huge for the Fair Park Area
Space Needle Facts
http://www.spaceneedle.com/about/funfacts.asp
- Top of the Space Needle - Aircraft Warning Beacon: 605 feet
- Observation Deck: 520 feet
- Revolving SkyCity Restaurant: 500 feet
- SkyLine Banquet Facility: 100 feet
- Pavilion - entrance and SpaceBase Retail Shop: ground level
- Bottom of foundation: 30 feet below ground
- The Space Needle was built on a 120' x 120' lot
They have already refurbished the Esplanade buildings as well as the Pan Am Exposition buildings, Federal Tower, Band Shell. They spent millions hiring specialists to refurbish the land mark Art Deco Murals peeling layers of old paint off the buildings and restoring them back to there past glory. Some murals in the Pan Am buildings interior Doorways are still waiting for the money for restoration. I think this recent round of funding will finish any restoration projects still ongoing. The Federal building eagle was re-coated with gold there are pictures on flickr that show the eagle stripped and re-coated in new gold."Low excitement"? What could be more exciting than a super-fast speedboat ride?
As for "good use" of existing structures... my first thought when hearing about the tramway (well, second, after wondering if it could be extended to downtown) was that there are so many treasures at Fair Park that could use that money. But you could plunk down $100 gazillion on refurbishing the Art Deco buildings, and they'll still gather dust and eventually crumble unless you bring people to see them, admire them, and most importantly, use them.
These projects hope to bring people to the area. That is the only thing that will make it possible to keep this national treasure intact. As long as Fair Park is a once-a-year deep-fried destination sticky with cotton candy, the public has 11 months to forget it even exists. But bring people there on a regular basis, and there finally will be enough visibility that a North Dallas city council member can vote for preservation without his constituents asking why where their taxes are going to a place they've never been.
Tower of the Americas - San Antonio - 1968 - 622 ft.
Reunion Tower - Dallas - 1978 - 560 ft.
Space Needle - Seattle - 1961 - 605 ft.
CN Tower - Toronto - 1976 - 1815 ft.
Stratosphere Tower - Las Vegas - 1996 - 1149 ft.
Six Flags Tower - Arlington, TX - 1961 - 300 ft.
-----------------------------------
I wonder why they are going with a low height like 450 ft.? It needs to be taller if they want to attract more visitors and make money off the admission charge. Places like the CN tower are still making a ton of money 30 years after they were built just because of the height.
Southwest flies over Fair Park all the time.
Looks like you can go up in the Observation Tower and look down into the Cotton Bowl. If Texas/OU is still being played at the Cotton Bowl by the time the Tower is open, you could just go up there and watch the game virtually unobstructed.
"You look at Chicago, New York, San Francisco, you'll find lots of small businesses. But here in Dallas, they hold up big businesses and kick out small businesses, and that's not good."
I guess the worst-case scenario would be if it becomes Dallas' Sunsphere.
You young'uns will recognize the structure from that Simpsons episode, but I was there, man, at the 1982 Worlds Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. Even then, it looked dinky. The 450-foot plan for Fair Park isn't even double the Sunsphere's height (266 ft), and Dallas' skyline is much higher than Knoxville's.
The 1982 Worlds Fair had the best. arcades. ever.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals... Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. - B. Obama 1/20/09
Ok, anytime anyone asks about the height of buildings and why they can't be taller someone always says "Southwest this, or Southwest that, Love field, etc." Other cities have airports near their urban center as well, and while I don't know if they have issues with the FAA and the heights of buildings, I certainly seem to hear a lot about that here regarding buildings in Dallas.
Sure, it's an issue. But the thing is, building heights/restrictions can be changed just like flight paths or heights. Sure there is a lot that goes into doing that, but no one said that they have to fly over a certain area indefinitely. Those things can change as well.
Several thousand square yards of concrete, pointing in a particular direction, beg to differ. (source: FAA)
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals... Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. - B. Obama 1/20/09
Sure, airports are this way, but who said I was talking about the airport. They aren't doing the actual flying. Last I checked, planes could turn.
Yes, but that ride is at least 3 years down the road. Why not start with that one? I just don't think people are going to make a trip to fair park just to ride the tram... Give me a Coaster or speed boat (especially if I could pay by the ride) and I will go more often."Low excitement"? What could be more exciting than a super-fast speedboat ride?
What I mean by use the other structures is not fixing them up but actually using them.
For example I read that some of the displays for the body works exhibit were left out because of space constraints... yet several huge buildings sit empty that could have been used why? Why not provide information around the park and on the web sites of where to eat near by like Exposition Park near the fair park entrance.
Lets make the best use of the Assets we have. – and cross promote venues in the park
Smirnoff amphitheater -- Consistently brings crowds to the park but nothing exist to keep them their or get them to come earlier and make a day of it.
Museums – consistently brings kids and parents to the park but again they see a show at the Imax and leave
Music hall – brings people but it is just a one stop
Tons of empty buildings – (see below) I think we could make better use of these buildings year round
Some ideas to use the empty buildings and make the park a year-round destination now. (Most could be reverted back for the 4 weeks of the fair for others temporary tent buildings could be used)
Fair Park itself – Art Deco walking Audio Tour
Hall of State – Audio tour on the history of Texas based on all the visual cues of the building concentrating on the years Texas was an independent country.
Tower Building –Museum of the history of the Cotton Bowl – those who played and went on to be great leaders in sports and beyond. Or even a tribute museum to sports heroes from Texas.
Automobile building -- indoor tennis courts (perhaps with special classes for under privileged kids)
Centennial Hall -- indoor amusement park for kids up to 7 or 8
Esplanade Fountain -- Summer concerts and wading in the water to cool off – right now on the hottest days this water hole is drained and useless
Fair Park Coliseum – Create the Lance Armstrong Cycling Center with an indoor track and other things that promote the sport and fitness of Cyclist… including some kind of museum dedicated to Lance perhaps.
Embarcadero Building – Temporary home to Texas Music Center complete with a music store of Texas musicians – Create a Co-op to provide low cost studio space to new artist in exchange for live performances in fair park.
Now I know some of this is just flights of fancy and some things would not make sense with out other being done first… but the idea is simply “let make the best possible use of what we have”
^ Did you pass these ideas on to your councilman?
Well the current radio tower there is much taller than the proposed observation tower it is somewhere around 600-ft or more to the tip. Correct me if I am wrong.
So why not as high as the radio tower I suppose it's the cost, but they need to do it taller as a better attraction.
Back in the late fifties or early sixties there was talk about a tower at Fair Park of about 700-ft.
perhaps 450 is the height of the observation deck. There's an antenna on top which is likely much taller.
Isn't this shorter than the Oriental being built in Victory? Isn't that closer to Love?
In regards to the height, I guess they're conservative because any additional height would just offer better views of East Dallas and Oak Cliff. Needless to say, it probably wouldn't make too many to-do lists for travelers.
State Fair is the star of new documentary
Film takes viewers on a ride through history
08:57 AM CST on Thursday, February 15, 2007
By KATIE MENZER / The Dallas Morning News
kmenzer@dallasnews.com
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...oc.e1a046.html
It's been 116 days since you could have had a corny dog on the fairgrounds, and it will be 226 days before you can get another.
Thank goodness you've got A Fair to Remember to help you pass the time, or at least give you a taste of the fare you've been missing.
The documentary film chronicling the 120-year history of the State Fair of Texas debuts at the Hall of State at Fair Park tonight and includes a fine homage to the fair's second-most-popular (Big Tex is No. 1) icon: the fried wiener on a stick.
Dallas brothers Carl and Neil Fletcher introduced the corny dog at the State Fair in 1942. The family sold 500,000 at the fair last year.
"A silly little wiener on a silly little stick with a little bit of silly batter around it, cooked and fried," Skip Fletcher said in an interview for the film. "And who would have thunk it?"
Although the 68-minute film focuses a full 30 seconds on people putting mustard and ketchup on their dogs, it covers more than just the Fletchers' phenomenon.
It's narrated by Barry Corbin, the North Texas resident who played the original crazy astronaut on Northern Exposure, and features music by polka band Brave Combo. Dallas storyteller Rose-Mary Rumbley, State Fair historian Nancy Wiley and Jerry "Mr. Peppermint" Haynes all make appearances, and Janimation does some quirky animation.
Nonprofit, independent filmmakers Allen Mondell and Cynthia Salzman Mondell have spent five years collecting video and photographs of the fair's past from its inception in 1886 to last year.
The Mondells, who have made films for The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and others aired on public television, became captivated by the State Fair as soon as they moved to Dallas in 1973.
"We came in October and had just missed the fair, but everybody was still talking about the fair," said Mr. Mondell, who hopes his film will be picked up by public television.
"In my background – growing up in Baltimore – we had nothing like this."
The film begins with the earliest days of the fair, when competing interests – businessmen vs. farmers – fought over where the fair should be held. Dallas' business interests not surprisingly won out, and the fair made its home at Fair Park.
The documentary also touches on the fair's less family-friendly days of yore. The midway was once awash in scantily clad dancing girls and freak shows, where fairgoers could get an eyeful of the Fat Lady or Lobster Boy for a nickel.
The State Fair's Negro Days and Negro Achievement Days were high-profile reflections of inequality and segregation in society at the time, and the film interviews some of the black leaders who successfully picketed to put a stop to the days. Segregation at the fair ended in 1961.
There was also Oct. 24, 1923, which the State Fair designated as Ku Klux Klan Day. It featured a downtown parade and a giant rally, where thousands of new Klan members were sworn in at the fairgrounds.
One of the fair's saddest moments – the day a man was killed and 17 other people were injured when a gondola on the Swiss Skyride fell from its cable onto the midway below – isn't covered in the film. The 1979 accident spurred other fairs and parks to remove their gondola rides.
With 80 hours of film on the fair's 120-year history, Mr. Mondell said it was impossible to fit everything into the documentary. The filmmakers edited based on historical importance and film and picture availability.
"There was just too much," he said.
Still, the early days of Big Tex, the world's tallest cowboy statue, made it in. You might not know that he started out in the early 1950s as a giant Santa Claus.
And, of course, what's an examination of the State Fair without someone complaining about how expensive it is now?
The documentary picks 90-year-old Richard E. Boone, who has been to the fair each year of his life and shares his memories in the film:
"The rides that used to cost 10 or 15 cents, now I believe some of these bungee jumpings cost as much as $25 to $30."
IF YOU GO
What: Screenings of A Fair to Remember
When: 6:30 tonight, 2 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Hall of State at Fair Park; enter through Gates 4 and 5
Tickets: $25 for tonight's benefit premiere with reception (call 214-421-4500, ext. 101)
Free screenings: Saturday and Sunday (no tickets required; first come, first seated)
TV: Filmmakers talk about A Fair to Remember at 8:30 a.m. today on Channel 8's Good Morning Texas
Mardi Gras in Fair Park:
http://www.mardigrasdfw.com/
The 6th Annual Mardi Gras DFW celebration will be held on Friday February 16, 2007 & Saturday February 17, 2007 in the Automobile building at the Fair Park State Fair grounds.This event is an all ages event so come on out for a full day or weekend of Mardi Gras Fun....TEXAS STYLE!! For more information click on www.mardigrasdfw.com
Friday Night Mardi Gras Texas Style with 93.3 the Bone
This year we are adding a day of Mardi Gras Texas Style with 93.3 the Bone!! Come join us at the Automobile Building in Fair Park on Friday February 16, 2007 at 5:00 PM. There will be live entertainment Featuring Cheap Trick, Blue Oyster Cult, Petty Theft and more.
Saturday Night Mardi Gras Texas Style with 99.5 the Wolf
The annual Saturday Mardi Gras Texas Style all day event will kick off this year on February 17, 2007 at 1:00 pm. This year we will feature 16 bands on four stages performing for 12 Hours. That's right 12 hours of Texas Music from the top performers in the Texas / Red Dirt Music scene including Gary Allan, Randy Rogers Band, Stoney LaRue, Jason Boland, Eli Young, Wade Bowen, and more.
I just got a survey invitation in the mail, thanks to the State Fair mailing list. The first 300 respondants get a free ticket to the State Fair, so I'm not going to post the URL until later today, so that others who have been patiently sorting through messages about fried Coke and craft exhibit guidelines get a shot at the prize.
Here's the message text:
The State Fair of Texas appreciates your continued interest in its programming and operations. We are looking at the possibility of opening asummertime amusement park in 2009. The proposed date coincides with the arrival of DART light rail at Fair Park.
Because your input would be valuable to us as we consider all the pros and cons, we invite you to participate in a short survey (15 questions) that should require no more than five to ten minutes of your time.
As an incentive for prompt response, we would like to offer a free ticket to the 2007 State Fair of Texas to the first 300 people who complete the questionnaire. We thank you for your participation.
Here's the description on which the questions are to be answered:
Thank you for agreeing to take this survey. Below is a description of a new summertime amusement park. Please read the description carefully and then answer the questions following it. Thanks again for your interest.
Summer Place Park
Summer Place Park incorporates many features associated with the traditional State Fair Midway into a less time consuming, pay-one-price mini-theme park which operates weekends only in May and then daily from June through late August (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.). The enclosed 12-acre park offers a unique entertainment option that’s designed for families, close-to-home and convenient to freeways and light rail. Midway features include an aerial tram ride, a 450-ft. observation tower and exciting new water thrill rides. Lofty shade trees, a giant screened canopy, cooling misters and playful fountains can keep you comfortable, even on the hottest of days.
As a Summer Place Park guest, you receive a free wrist band which entitles you to also visit other attractions (on the same day) in Fair Park for no additional charge. These include:
- A free-flight bird show in the Band Shell
- Butterfly exhibit at Texas Discovery Gardens
- IMAX Theater at the Museum of Nature and Science
- Shark feeding at the Aquarium
- Swan boats on the Lagoon
- Special tours of the renovated Cotton Bowl with photo opportunities on the 50-yd. line.
For special occasions or for added convenience, you can rent individual air-conditioned suites which are appropriate for hosting birthday parties, entertaining clients or relaxing with family members. Each suite is outfitted with television, Wi-Fi access and an in-house phone for ordering food.
A general admission ticket to Summer Place Park, including more than 30 rides, shows and select museums, costs $29.95. A special $23.95 ticket is offered to kids under 48” tall and seniors age 60+. Children ages 2 & under are free. Convenient parking is located in a secured adjacent area, and air-conditioned buses connect the new light-rail station on Parry Avenue (open in 2009) to the theme park entrance.
Here are the questions. Note that they are formatted much better in the survey -- I smashed things together for space.
If Summer Place Park was open, how likely would you be to visit it in the next 12 months?The strange thing is that I have no idea if I was one of the first 300. There's no place to enter an email address, so I guess I'll find out in September, when a ticket magically appears (or doesn't) in the mailbox. Perhaps those who didn't make the cut won't be asked for their address?
Definitely would visit / Probably would visit / Might or might not visit / Probably would not visit / Definitely would not visit
Why do you say that you definitely/probably would visit Summer Place Park?
How much do you like the Summer Place Park idea?
Like it a lot / Like it somewhat / Neither like it nor dislike it / Dislike it somewhat / Dislike it a lot
How would you compare the Summer Park idea to other traditional theme parks?
Much better than other traditional theme parks / Somewhat better than other traditional theme parks / No difference from other traditional theme parks / Somewhat worse than other traditional theme parks / Much worse than other traditional theme parks
How would you describe the value of Summer Place Park for you and your family?
Very good value / Fairly good value / Average value / Somewhat poor value / Very poor value
How would you describe the uniqueness of Summer Place Park? How different would you say it is compared to other traditional theme parks?
Extremely different / Very different / Somewhat different / Not very different / Not at all different
How relevant would you say Summer Place Park is to your household's entertainment habits and needs?
Extremely relevant / Very relevant / Somewhat relevant / Not very relevant / Not at all relevant
What impact if any will Summer Place Park have on your State Fair attendance?
I will attend the State Fair less because of Summer Place / I will attend the State Fair more / It will have no impact on my attendance of the State Fair
Which areas of Summer Place Park are you most interested in? Check all that apply.
Games / Shows / Educational museum exhibits / Suites / Midway rides / None of the above...please explain below
How likely would you be to take advantage of the wristband to visit other included attractions in Fair Park?
Definitely would visit / Probably would visit / Might or might not visit / Probably would not visit / Definitely would not visit
What month would you be most likely to attend Summer Place Park?
May / June / July / August
What day of the week would you most likely attend?
Weekday (Monday - Friday) / Saturday / Sunday
What is the approximate travel distance from your home to Fair Park?
0 - 5 miles / 6 - 10 miles / 11 - 20 miles / 21 - 50 miles / over 51 miles
Please enter your zip code:
What type of transportation would you most likely use to attend?
Automobile / DART light rail / Bus / Other (Please Specify)
On a typical visit to Summer Place Park, how many total people (adults and children) would attend?
One / Two / Three or more
What do you especially like about the Summer Place Park idea?
What suggestions do you have to make the Summer Place Park idea better?
What do you think about the Summer Place Park pricing structure?
$29.95 General admission; $23.95 Children & Seniors; and free for children 2 & under?
(Each rate can be given one of the following)
Very good value / Fairly good value / Average value / Somewhat poor value / Very poor value
How many times have you been to the State Fair of Texas in the past 5 years?
1 - 3 times / 4 - 6 times / 7 - 9 times / 10 + times / I've never been to the State Fair
Please click on the category that includes your age
18 or below / 19 - 24 / 25 - 39 / 40 - 49 / 50 and above
What is your gender?
Male / Female
What best describes your household?
Household with one child under age 16 / Household with two or more children under age 16 / Household with children above age 16 / Adult(s) only
Are you Spanish / Hispanic / Latino?
Yes / No / Prefer not to answer
Which of the following best describes you?
White/Caucasian / Black/African American / Asian / Pacific Islander / Native American / Prefer not to answer / Other (Please Specify)
The State Fair of Texas appreciates your willingness to participate in the survey. If interested in receiving one free admission ticket to the 2007 State Fair of Texas, we need your name and mailing address. Limit one free ticket per household. *Ticket to be mailed in September. Please provide the information below to receive your free ticket:
Name:
Address:
City, State Zip:
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals... Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. - B. Obama 1/20/09
Why would Summer Place Park only be open until 6 p.m.? Very silly.
$29.95 is too much. That's close to the admission price of Six Flags with a coupon. Try HALF that amount.
Why would anyone (with working legs) need to ride a bus from the Parry Avenue DART rail station to the "park entrance"?
i hoped it was a pay per ride deal... this is no diffrent then six flags except with less exciting rides...
another good idea gone wrong...
Give them the feedback. They are asking now so they can tune their plan.
Ok, I've given my fellow mailing list members time enough.
The link for the survey is:
http://www.insitefulsurveys.com/bigtex
Since y'all have had a peek at the teacher's desk, you'll be able to give much better feedback. I didn't even notice the ridiculous 6pm closing time. There's another three hours of daylight left! What were they thinking?
But don't forget to go to bigtex.org and sign up for the mailing list, or risk bad karma.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals... Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. - B. Obama 1/20/09
Here were my comments when asked how the idea could be made better.
Pay per Ride -- I would rather pay on a per ride basis so I don’t feel compelled to spend the whole day their. I would be more likely to visit more and ultimately the park would make more money on the food and drinks I would buy as a result – this would also be an incentive to have better rides.
Better Rides -- I would not pay 1 cent to go up in a tower or ride the gondola – the boat ride sounds like fun but if that is the only exciting ride they have it is going to have a long line… I told them to look where the lines are at Six Flags – no line at the tower. I like the idea of the cooling pools and the water fountains but since this is not a water park not sure how it will all mix. There are plenty of other things they could do – Rock climbing might be good – at least one good roller coaster – Perhaps one of the sky-diving rides… where you float on a stream of air…
Stay open later – I would probably never visit in the middle of the day… when they are closing at 6pm is when I would want to go.
Have Free concerts – I think the band shell would be better used for bands… at least at night.
Great comments gshelt! Especially like the concerts at the band shell idea.
Siince we are doing a six flags comparison, hours of operation are 10a-8p while Hurricane Harbor closes at 7p.
It costs over 60 dollars without any coupon to get in six flags. They have an internet special that a one day pass is 42.
Does anyone even know that there's already a resident band at the Fair Park Bandshell? Yeah, didn't think so. The city doesn't do much to promote activities with this organization, and the marketing budget of the small arts organization isn't big enough to make inroads.
For what it's worth, there is a yearly "Starlight Band Concerts" series that takes place at the Bandshell, which features community bands. This year's concerts will be May 5, 12, and 19.
The group (The Dallas Wind Symphony ) is looking at ways to increase their presence in the park to coincide with all the activity at Summer Place Park, however, the State Fair is not exactly rolling out the red carpet. Note this section in the survey:
This was published in a survey before use of the Bandshell was ever discussed with the resident group. I won't harp on this too much, but let's just say that's extremely bad form.
I'm curious as to how far discussions have gone w/groups that might supply said free flight bird show, too. The group that sets up shop for the State Fair has a busy schedule the rest of the year, and I wonder if they would be available an extra four months of the year.
Just my thoughts on this matter. It's a matter close to my heart, and I'll be interested to see what direction this all goes in the next few years.
I tell everyone...I smile just because...I've got a city love...
Yes you know the bird thing seems like it is better suited to the Dallas Zoo... Then cross promote the zoo at the State Fair
Good info on the concerts already at the bandshell... It just baffals me at how many things go on in this city that the general population knows nothing about... I am not sure what the answer it either...
The Fair Park Bandshell has the best atmosphere of any outdoor performance venue in Dallas, in my opinion. I saw only a handful of concerts there, years ago, but each time I remarked on how great a setting the Bandshell delivered.
I imagine the Dallas Wind Symphony really makes the space sing!! My concert experience at the Bandshell was more rock 'n roll than symphony; could it be the folks in charge of promoting the bandshell events are stuck in that fast groove, failing to recognize the potential for more orchestra-orientated performances? Of all the places I've ever seen a show, only The Hollywood Bowl stands out as an equal place to casually enjoy long attention span music performances.
I could not be more pleased that Fair Park is slated to get new attention getting attractions, but I cannot help but think the park's promoters/planners fail to recognize the potential of what's already there.
As far as paying for the Summer Place & Fair Park attractions, I think an all inclusive wrist band should be one of the options; single use coupon admission should also be available for every paid attraction.
What's Fair Park's critical mass threshold of Spring and Summer time special events, fixed attractions, and seasonal activities that will keep the place buzzing?
Here is a good photo and article about the Bandshell... Highlights some of the difficulties of getting it sold out more offten... Seems like a lot of the issues could be overcome.
http://www.dallasobserver.com/blogs/?p=2166#more-2166
I think we found the answer to the question of why the Band Shell isn't getting the love it deserves:
I don’t know the last time a good band played at “the shell” but when I was 12 or 13 yrs old, during the State Fair, Up With People performed. Its been cursed ever since.
Comment by Dave Normanski — January 20, 2007 @ 2:17 am
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals... Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. - B. Obama 1/20/09
On the other hand I feel for the opposite I would rather pay per ride at Six Flags since most rides at Six Flags are less than impressive to me at least at Fair Park the lower number of rides and lack of dancing foam cartoon characters would be all inclusive. Hopefully they will use the Summer Park idea to open new attractions every year for about 10 years making a nice Chicago Pier type space not Six Flags Superman super fast escape tower batman freeze rides.
/\ i guess they are after a diffrent group of people... i have been to the chicago pier and it really did nothing for me...
Personally i don't have to have to have any supper rides.. they have a kind of log ride now, add a nice roller coaster and that boat ride they are talking about... then just a few basic rides and i would be fine...
But riding that Gondola in the summer just sounds like hell to me
Amid all the thought about this renovation and the Cotton Bowl's future, I just would like to know that someone has the foresight to be planning with the Bicentennial Exposition in 2036 in mind. With dedication, it could be something far more special than the train of art museums and concert halls that trail across the American landscape.
http://www.watermelon-kid.com/places...nial_index.htm
Are you kidding, you think someone in Dallas will actually think that far into the future?
From all this we may learn that there are two races of men in this world, but only these two - the "race" of the decent man and the "race" of the indecent man. Viktor E. Frankl
I'm excited already! Only 206 daysNice artwork, but I don't think THAT many people will be partying together in a climate-controlled gondola high above Big Tex.
Last edited by dfwcre8tive; 06 March 2007 at 09:39 PM.
Climate-controlled? Does this mean we can't yell at our friends and drop nutty bars on people we don't like?
Ahh, for the old days.
No, they are open-air/wire mesh (like on the ferris wheel). I was just saying that because the poster makes it look like a glass gondola.
We've heard what the Old Days allowed.
Last edited by mikedsjr; 07 March 2007 at 06:22 PM.
Listen to the Dividing Line, Pirate Christian Radio, CARM, White Horse Inn and RTS University the most nowadays.....
Once-popular Fair Park statues to be faithfully restored.
http://www.dallascityhall.com/FairPa.../FPStory2.html
Amid the glory of the 1936 Texas State Fair Centennial, two grand statues—Contralto and Countertenor—greeted visitors to the Esplanade. But today the 9-foot-high sculptures, originally built by Lawrence Tenney Stevens, are nowhere to be seen. Mystery? Not.
“Most likely, the sculptures were built of plaster,” says Louise Elam, Facility Development Manager for the Dallas Park & Recreation Department. “They probably just disintegrated due to the temporary nature of the material.”
Once the Dallas Park & Recreation Department, the Office of Cultural Affairs, and Craig Holcomb, Executive Director of Friends of Fair Park, saw a photo of the originals, they were determined to bring back Contralto and Countertenor in all their splendor…cast in bronze.
Incidentally, a contralto is a low woman’s singing voice and countertenor is a man’s voice with a range above tenor. Countertenors were required during the Renaissance and Baroque periods when women were not allowed to sing publicly.
Memorable additions.
"The finished pieces will add to the overall fabric of the park,” states Margaret Robinette, Public Art Program Manager for the City of Dallas. “Contralto and Countertenor will embody the art deco character that has made Fair Park so unique.”
Between the fundraising efforts of the Friends of Fair Park and the 2003 City of Dallas bond program, more than $200,000 was raised to bring the statues back to ‘life.’
“This pays for the pre-production and actual detailed production of the statue,” notes Ms. Elam. “It includes clay base models and long-lasting bronze casting. Everything from pylons—towers in back of the statues—to the finish will come together in time for the 2007 State Fair of Texas.”
A carefully rendered effort.
David Newton, a noted sculptor, first must prepare a maquette (model that resembles the full-size sculpture), just as he recently did for the recreation of the Fair Park’s popular Woofus sculpture. Next, he will make a full-sized figure out of clay, over a foam base. Then the metal foundry will come to the artist’s studio and make a rubber mold that will be used in the bronze casting process.
The pieces will endure for a long time, says Ms. Robinette. “This is the kind of lasting quality you’d see in the historic bronze sculptures found in Washington, D.C. The surface finish will look just like the original silver leaf.”
Behind the Contralto and Countertenor sculptures are 20-foot-high pylons that must also be reconstructed. The originals were probably made of plywood and now will be made of cast-in-place concrete. “Mineral based coatings in blue for the pylon and a darker blue for the base will provide the presumed original colors,” explains Ms. Elam. “Aluminum grills with a panel wrapped in reddish-brown fabric will replicate the originals, which housed a speaker system that broadcast information to fair visitors.”
Work on statues, bases, and pylons will commence in April 2007 and installation of the sculptures is slated for this August.
When the Contralto and Countertenor stretch out their long arms to adoring fans this fall—as if leaping from their bases—the city of Dallas will have regained two treasures. Be sure and bid these timeless singers a fond “Welcome Back!”
Last edited by dfwcre8tive; 12 March 2007 at 06:32 PM.
Cool, but for some reason when I see statues like that I think of Stalin.
I think of the school in -- was it Burleson, or Forest Hill? -- that commissioned a statue of a longhorn, then "redacted" certain anatomical features when some parents, unfamiliar with the bovine anatomy, complained about the statue's realism.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals... Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. - B. Obama 1/20/09
Stalinist architecture/sculpture of the same time period was heavily influenced by art deco.
Last edited by dfwcre8tive; 12 March 2007 at 06:34 PM.
Get your Spring tune-up at Starlight Band Concerts.
http://www.dallascityhall.com/FairPa.../FPStory4.html
Presented by Dallas Wind Symphony.
Thrill to a stirring crescendo of musical delights and neon nights. Revel in this year’s Starlight Band Concerts, presented by the Dallas Wind Symphony in the dazzling art deco Fair Park Band Shell that dates back to the 1936 Texas State Fair Centennial. Sit back and enjoy a menu of show tunes, classics, waltzes or even swing, with a little spring breeze on the side.
The family-friendly Starlight Band Concerts, while coordinated by the Dallas Wind Symphony, exclusively feature community bands from all over the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. According to Kim Campbell, Executive Director of the DWS, “The Metroplex has the largest collection of community bands per capita in the entire country, and we are proud to showcase several at a time. Each has a different and exciting personality.”
The sounds of many towns and cities.
So just what is a community band? “Musicians who get together to play for their towns and cities as an official yet all-volunteer ensemble, complete with director,” explains Mr. Campbell. “Some have played professionally or semi-pro; others play because they loved doing so in high school or college.” Local bands include the Frisco Community Band, Carrollton Wind Symphony and the Town North Concert Band.
The 4th annual series of Starlight Band Concerts will be held on the Saturdays of April 14, 21 and 28, as well as May 5, 12 and 19. The program starts at 7:30 p.m.; admission is just $5 and concessions are available. Bring a picnic supper, light jacket, good friends and anyone who loves a fun, inexpensive evening.
Three bands will perform each night, comprised of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. Says Mr. Campbell, “We try to mix it up so different bands get to play with each other. But one thing is certain. There will be something for everyone’s musical tastes. At a given concert, you might hear Sousa marches, classical pieces and jazz.”
A band shell that will dazzle your senses.
No concert is complete without a light show, and the Fair Park Band Shell definitely delivers. A rainbow of neon light combinations surround the audience with art deco imagery.
Forget ho-hum Saturday nights. Catch a Starlight Band Concert or two this spring for a sights and sounds extravaganza that’ll have you humming!
For more information on the Starlight Band Concerts presented by the Dallas Wind Symphony, call 214-565-WIND or visit Dallas Wind Symphony web site.
This Bike Extravaganza creates Motorcycle Mania.
http://www.dallascityhall.com/FairPa.../FPStory6.html
Easyriders® V-Twin Bike Show Tour has it all.
This is no run-of-the-mill motorcycle show. When the Easyriders® V-Twin Bike Show Tour revs into Centennial Hall at Fair Park on April 21, every biker has got to get a look. This is where they all hang out: choppers, street customs, radicals, vintage, you name it!
Get in on more than 100 of the best of the BEST custom-built motorcycles in the world, plus hundreds of motorcycle-related gear and service vendors.
World class creations include:
* Radical bikes that are really out-there…some with off-the-wall sheet metal designs and outrageously long front ends.
* Street Custom bikes. These are highly customized motorcycles with wild paint jobs, constructed from a custom frame instead of a stock frame.
* Choppers. Low-to-the-ground, streamlined bikes on a cruiser-style frame with custom-designed gas tanks and wide rear tires. Often have wild paint jobs.
* Vintage or Old School. Antique bikes that are restored or new bikes replicated to look like old school. Often have high-rise handlebars and teardrop tanks.
* Specialty Class. Made for special occasion riding, like Bar Hoppers, side cars and trikes are more examples.
* Modified Stock. Factory bikes with modifications that advance them to the custom bike level. These bikes include custom baggers and custom antique.
Says Competition Coordinator and Master of Ceremonies Bruce Henderson of Easyriders Events, “This is all part of the largest bike show in the world. “It’s not only THE place to get a load of the hottest bikes you’ll ever lay your eyes on, but an amazing competition unlike anything else.”
Top custom creations and builders compete at each of 12 regional bike shows for the right to advance to the Easyriders Invitations Bike Show in Kansas City, Missouri.Top custom creations and builders compete at each of 12 regional bike shows for the right to advance to the Easyriders® Invitations Bike Show in Kansas City, Missouri. Here, they vie for Best of the Best honors, along with thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. “This adds up to over 2,000 bikes that will have competed by the end of the tour,” adds Mr. Henderson.
An all-new Pro Class competition at each show holds even more vroom for master builders who compete for one of six places on the 2008 Easyriders® Centerfold Tour. “It’s not about one bike but the whole shop or builder,” says Mr. Henderson. “It’s an astounding opportunity because these builders get incredible national exposure at each show we do in 2008.” Centerfold builders include Kendall Johnson of Kendall Johnson Customers and Paul Yaffe of Paul Yaffe Originals.
The Purrfect Angelz (also known as the Home Wreckers on CMT’s hit show, Foxworthy’s Big Night Out) wwill dance, pose with bikes and model the latest road goddess fashions. Live music from Jasmine Cain will keep motors running.
Show hours for the Easyriders® V-Twin Bike Show Tour are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, April 21st. Check out Easyriders Events web site for a lowdown on this family-friendly showdown that’s nothing short of a bike fan phenomenon.
Begging for more of a good thing: 2nd Annual Dog Bowl.
http://www.dallascityhall.com/FairPa.../FPStory3.html
Dallas’ largest dog park (for a day) coming to Cotton Bowl.
Talk about your dog day afternoon! On May 6 from 1 to 5 p.m., the Cotton Bowl will be a different breed of dog park…an entire football field long. Get ready for the 2nd Annual Dog Bowl. Last year the event was such a doggone hit that over 2,000 people and their canine companions turned out in force.
The calls are already coming in to Craig Holcomb, Dog Bowl coordinator and Executive Director of the Friends of Fair Park. “People can’t wait for this to happen, either because they missed it last year or had so much fun at our first Dog Bowl.”
Lots of room to roam.
Holcomb has no idea how he came up with the idea of a super-sized temporary venue for dog-frolicking. But he and his two dogs—Harry, a standard poodle, and Beacon, a German short-haired pointer—had a blast. “Owners can let dogs off their leashes to run around and play with each other. With 100+ yards of wide open space, that’s an adventure!”
Owners can let dogs off their leashes to run around and play with each other.
There will be inflatable pools for thirsty dogs. “But most of the time, they’ll just wade in and play,” adds Mr. Holcomb. Admission is free, which includes free doggie treats. Humans can grab a snack at concession stands. Plus plenty of live music that will have everyone rockin’ and rollin’ over.
Advertising for the Dog Bowl will be through pet stores and vets all over the Metroplex. “We want to get the word out so folks from all over come to enjoy the fun. Last year someone saw a flyer in a Plano pet store and hurried down, so we expect a very good crowd.”
The Dog Bowl is just one of four huge Sunday in the Park events in 2007, according to Mr. Holcomb. “Hop over for the Easter Egg Hunt in late March, thrill to the explosive fireworks and music of Dallas Booms on July 1, and be dazzled by Fair Park in Lights on December 2. All free!”.
Bring your best friend(s) to the Dog Bowl this May. And unleash that carefree Spring spirit!
For more information on the 2nd Annual Bog Bowl, call 214-426-3400 or visit fairpark.org.
DART Light Rail on track for 2009 Fair Park station
http://www.dallascityhall.com/FairPa.../FPStory5.html
Will mean easier, cheaper commute to State Fair, shows and museums.
The greatest ride at the State Fair—and Fair Park in general—is almost here. You can hear the cheers from the remote parking lots and crowded expressways. DART Light Rail is coming in 2009!
Think added convenience from almost anywhere in the Metroplex, saving visitors hours of commuting time. Stations will be exceptionally safe, clean and attractive for visitors to Fair Park events, the State Fair of Texas, Dallas Summer Musicals, Smirnoff Music Centre, Fair Park museums and the largest collection of art deco buildings in the world. “Many folks who wouldn’t otherwise drive over will want to take DART to Fair Park when it arrives in time for the 2009 Texas State Fair,” believes Willene Watson, DART Community Affairs Representative.
Considering that Fair Park already attracts over 6 million visitors annually, DART will really boost numbers. “The Dallas Zoo had a great increase in visitors after we opened the Dallas Zoo station in 1996,” states Ms. Watson. “The possibilities for Fair Park are huge and will open the door to many more events held at the park.”
Two stations will make and reflect history.
Conception and planning have been 9 years in the works—from acquisition of property and receiving Federal funding to actual construction, which began in August, 2006. “Everyone is so thrilled,” says Ms. Watson, “we wish we could open both DART stations sooner. But we are now charging full speed ahead.”
There will actually be two DART light rail stations that stop at Fair Park: the Fair Park station at the original 1936 Centennial gate entrance and the Martin Luther King Jr. station at MLK, Jr. Blvd. and Trunk Street. In designing the look of each, Ms. Watson says, “Our artists met with local community leaders. They first did both a neighborhood collage and historic collage to make sure local flavor was captured.”
The Fair Park station will be grand and unique. Artists Brad and Diana Goldberg will recreate the art deco look that made the 1936 Centennial State Fair so memorable. This will be one of the few DART stations that feature lighting as art: recessed, bolt and pole lighting.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. station will tell a past and present story with black-and-white photos of the African American community by noted photographer R.C. Hickman, flanked by a “Walk of Respect” that uses symbols such as vessels to represent the concepts of unity, respect, wisdom and other values.
“Craig Holcomb of the Friends of Fair Park was the bridge that connected DART with the community,” states Ms. Watson. “He ensured that both Fair Park and the surrounding neighborhoods’ needs were reflected in the station designs.”
The bigger the increase in gas and commute times from all parts of the Metroplex, the more attractive the idea of riding DART to Fair Park becomes. The countdown to the Fair Park and Martin Luther King, Jr. stations has begun!
Wow, exciting times are ahead for Fair Park, despite all the Cotton Bowl haters.
Yeah, that Starlight thing looks really cool. And I can't wait to take my dogs to the Dog Bowl!
I tell everyone...I smile just because...I've got a city love...
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