State Fair fans...Big Tex burnt down this morning

[justabob]

I know this isn't big news in the scheme of things, but he is such an icon of the State Fair of Texas, and is in the memories of so many Texans, I thought I'd let y'all know.

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2012/10/big_tex_burned_down_today_at_t.php

State Fair mascot Big Tex has gone up in flames. It's still not clear what caused the fire, which is reported to be "under control."

Photos from fair-goers show Big Tex burned to a blackened crisp, surrounded by fire trucks. I live nearby, and I can hear both fire-trucks and helicopters overhead. We'll have more for you as this develops. To quote fellow staff-writer Brantley Hargrove, "I feel like my heart is breaking."

[Uben]

1. No worries....

...there's another one just a few miles from my house (60 mi north of Dallas). The guy who has it would probably sell it. He has three big statues, one is just like Big Tex. HE was once in the fiberglass business.

[AldebTX]

2. It Makes Me Sad

They say it's just the clothes....but he has always been a big part of the fair since it seems like forever.

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. ...and republicans will blame the President, details at 11.

[sonias]

4. Makes me very sad too

[Vogon_Glory]

5. I Hope For Big Tex's Resurrection Because

I hope for Big Tex's resurrection because I believe I remember reading somewhere that the recently-burnt Big Tex was at least the second Big Tex put up. A previous one wore out and was replaced. I'm sure that another Big Tex can be fabricated and put up in time for next year's fair.

At least we can say he died with his boots on.

[Bolo Boffin]

6. Of course he can be rebuilt, but it's still a little sad

And there is already a @BurntBigTex account at Twitter.

[redqueen]

7. Yeah, it's not like there will never be another...

but having this one go up in flames while the fair is still going on is definitely sad.

[Bolo Boffin]

10. One of my Facebook friends said, "Well, now they've done it. They tried to deep fry Big Tex!"

And if anyone was looking for a Hallowe'en costume, Deep Fried Big Tex sounds good to me. Greasy, maybe...

[sharkman25]

8. In the spirit of the Al Smith dinner last night...

"It's Bush's fault." LOL

[northoftheborder]

9. That is just sad. How on earth did it catch on fire, anyone know? Was it arson?

[justabob]

12. electrical short

is what I read.

[derby378]

11. I was supposed to be at the Fair this morning

Wasn't feeling good (season ickiness), so I took it slow and lazy this morning. I'm glad I wasn't there to witness it - my heart probably couldn't take it.

Ginny and I spent many a State Fair eating our freshly-made Fletcher's Corny Dogs in the shadow of Big Tex. That poor guy.

[NoPasaran]

13. We can rebuild him

We have the technology.