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Friday, October 19, 2012 , Updated 10:29 p.m., October 19, 2012
BREAKING NEWS: Big Tex destroyed by fire but “will be back”
The 52-foot-tall cowboy turned 60 this year.
Big Tex on fire (October 19)
Click the gallery to see photos as Big Tex burned.
FAIR PARK — Fire destroyed Big Tex on Friday, leaving behind little more than the metal frame of the 52-foot-tall metal-and-fabric cowboy that is an icon of the State Fair of Texas.
Lynda Kingsley
Flames consume State Fair of Texas icon Big Tex Friday at Fair Park in Dallas. Only the statue's metal skeleton remained after the flames were extinguished.
Some fabric that made up the towering structure's hand and sleeves could still be seen as firefighters gathered around the scorched area.
Big Tex's 75-gallon hat, 50-pound belt buckle and slow drawl — "Howdy, folks!" — have been greeting fair visitors since 1952. This year's fair, which closes Sunday, had been celebrating Big Tex's 60th birthday.
"It's a great loss for us because of its icon stature," fair spokeswoman Sue Gooding said.
Gooding said she didn't know the cause of the fire but did note electrical controls move Big Tex's mouth and head. A Dallas fire spokesman didn't immediately respond to an email message seeking comment.
Gooding noted that no one was injured in the fire and added that she expects him to be back for next year's state fair.
"He'll be back, bigger and better than ever," she said.
The fair closes Sunday.
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Photos: Dallas Heritage Village Charleston'd its way through history on Saturday
SUCH a great party - thanks for covering! I hope they do this again next year. Great fundraiser for
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enj0y every day in life ummm.,its a very nicepic
Amber Carrington pays homage to hometown hero Kelly Clarkson on The Voice
Enjoy The Voice with the rest of the suckers, 48.
Jonathan Battle, verified:
Very sad day. Good to know he will be rebuilt and be back next year. Still, the sight of the flames was painful.
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Egorsti, anonymous:
If you had the same job for 60 years, you'd be burned out too.
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brntks, anonymous:
Egorsti: "If you had the same job for 60 years, you'd be burned out too."
<gasp!>
Now, now---It's too soon to joke!
<grabbing ruler="">
Put out your hands, you naughty boy...
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Joel Woiton, verified:
Just gotta keep saying, 'It was only a temporary statue!," and I'll get over it. Even though symbolically, he stood for the whole spirit of the State Fair. I got to the SF every year and I have many rituals. The first thing I do is to say high to Big Tex and get a corny dog. I hope they do a good job of recreating the original look but with fire retardant clothing. It's gotta be awkward for those visiting the fair on the last weekend to not have him there.
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Sarah Blaskovich, staff:
They took out poor Big Tex on a gurney, according to this photo taken by Robert Thomas.
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Egorsti, anonymous:
It's not often an old structure lasts that long in Dallas anyway.
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alexander troup, verified:
Big Tex,.... has had about 5 face lifts since 1952.....and they have built that body made of steel wire several times......when I was 6 years old I met the sculptor who made Big Tex Jack Bridges and he was making most outdoor sculptures out of fiberglass back then.....
Big Texas is an icon with meaning and depth it is hard to explain, and yet he will be rebuilt and made into the 21st Century..Format.....He has to be reborn ..But should he remain Anglo...and what the Mayor ment and said, I see his point.....and so we should reconsider..What is Big Tex today.....A/T.
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What do you think?