Video: Best fried and true stories from the 2009 State Fair of Texas

by Sarah Blaskovich , Mike Bullock

FAIR PARK — We've tried the fried, we've shouted “howdy y'all!” at Big Tex. As with all good things, the State Fair of Texas has come to an end. Join us as we take a trip down the Midway to recollect 2009's best State Fair moments.

But first, a hello-goodbye of Big Tex.

Get yer State Fair of Texas tickets and food on the cheap

Theylovedit: Far and away, this content partner story about State Fair deals was the most loved of our fair coverage. We've got to give it to her; Mommy's Wish List knew what she was talking about, and thousands of people tuned in to read her scoop. PegNews readers made us proud too by chiming in with additional deals and cool stuff to see.

Photo gallery: Fans savor short moments of Oprah Winfrey onstage at State Fair of Texas

And the crowd went wild: I saw hundreds of people's O-face one Monday morning as they stood awestruck at Oprah Winfrey's talk show taping. Girl looks good in cowboy boots! Click to relive the momentous madness, or to see a picture of a little Oprah fan in the making.

The State Fair of Texas goes raw (sort of)

Almost rawesome: So the State Fair doesn't make huge strides to use non-animal products in its deep-fat fried dishes. Doesn't help that there's livestock roaming around not far from the slaughterhouse. But content partner Dallas Vegan kept content after meeting Dallas chef Miranda Martinez of Bliss Raw Cafe at the fair.

We've got a photo of the State Fair of Texas fried butter right here

Why we care: Part of the enigma of fried butter was simply what it would look like. Is this a giant pat of butter, like my grandmother uses when sauteing veggies, battered and fried? Turns out no -- it's more like a muffin with a little butter in the middle. Turns out -- it looks pretty yummy.

You've gotta give it to 'em: It's a Grind piggy-backed fried butter's success by offering discounts on smoothies for those who've tried the caloric delicacies. Can't blame them for cashing in on a good thing.

Video: State Fair of Texas draws crowds of awestruck kids on opening day

It's a man, It's a stick...: The Midway Barker is a puzzling man: half man, half stick, and 100% know-it-all. Watch several groups of kids who all asked the same question: “Mommy, where are his legs?”

Video and photo gallery: Big Tex gets lifted into place for the 2009 State Fair of Texas

The big erection: We left out the annoying circus music, but Mike B. got video of Big Tex going up -- then fast-forwarded the video so you don't have to lose two hours watching like we did.

Video: Howdy, folks! The 2009 State Fair of Texas is officially open

We're news folks, folks: This year's fair was almost exactly like last year's (and the one before that). But we are not in the business of dream crushing, so we find a few new bits of information and explain them with a little fanfare so you participate in this family-friendly event like you should. That said, here are the best new things about this year's fair: You can take the DART there for the first time and there was a Michael Jackson “Thriller” funhouse. And, we'll say it, fried butter. Heard of it?