Big Tex vs Big Cheese Curds: A Tale of Two State Fairs

In the grand landscape of Americana, there are two state fairs that stand head and shoulders above the rest—like Big Tex and a really tall corndog. The State Fair of Texas and the Minnesota State Fair are the heavyweights of fried food, livestock, and enough kitschy charm to last a lifetime. But which of these behemoths deserves the crown? Let’s break it down in a way that only makes sense after you’ve inhaled four funnel cakes and a questionable amount of deep-fried butter.

The Battle of the Giants: Big Tex vs. Paul Bunyan

First, let’s meet the icons. In one corner, you’ve got Big Tex, the 55-foot-tall cowboy who looms over the Texas fairgrounds like an omniscient snack guardian. He’s got that friendly yet slightly unsettling grin that says, “Welcome, y’all… now gimme your wallet.” With a voice like Sam Elliott after a brisket binge, Big Tex is the spiritual embodiment of Texas: huge, bold, a little intimidating, and a fair bit unsettling.

Meanwhile, in Minnesota, we have… well, Paul Bunyan in spirit. Minnesota’s State Fair lacks one singular massive mascot but makes up for it with sheer food audacity. Paul’s spirit can be felt in every deep-fried morsel, every sky-high tower of cheese curds. Let’s face it, if Paul Bunyan existed today, he’d be doing keg stands with hotdish in one hand and a butter sculpture in the other.

Food Frenzy: Deep-Fried Everything vs. Butter on Steroids

When it comes to food, both fairs compete like two siblings vying for the last slice of fried pizza. The State Fair of Texas holds the title for introducing deep-fried innovation to new, terrifying heights. From fried Oreos to deep-fried Thanksgiving dinner (yes, it’s a thing), Texans are always one batter-dipped step away from deep-frying the entire city of Dallas.

On the other hand, the Minnesota State Fair has embraced the cheese curd as its greasy, gooey mascot. With an impressive menu of over 500 items on a stick, Minnesotans believe if it can’t be stabbed, skewered, and fried, it doesn’t belong at a fair. Minnesota also boasts the Butter Sculptures, where a person’s head is immortalized in glorious dairy. It’s like Mount Rushmore, but with lactose.

Livestock Love: Cows, Pigs, and Giant Vegetables

Both fairs love their animals, but Texas takes it to a whole new level. The State Fair of Texas features the largest livestock show in the state, which is impressive because Texans love their cows. Ever seen a longhorn steer up close? It’s like looking at a cow that’s been hitting the gym. They also have pig races, which, if we’re being honest, are more exciting than NASCAR once you’ve had a couple of fried beers (also a thing).

Meanwhile, Minnesota’s livestock events are a little more laid back. Sure, they have cows, but they also have giant pumpkins, and nothing says Midwest like a crowd gathered around a 1,200-pound squash. Minnesota also brings in the “Miracle of Birth” center, where you can watch baby animals being born, which is either heartwarming or deeply unsettling after you’ve eaten your weight in Sweet Martha’s cookies.

Entertainment Extravaganza: Yeehaw vs. Uff Da!

Texans love their entertainment big. The State Fair of Texas is famous for its concerts, which feature some of the biggest names in country music. Plus, there’s the Texas-OU football game, a rivalry so intense it makes family Thanksgiving dinners seem tame.

In Minnesota, the entertainment is less about showbiz glitz and more about folksy charm. You’ve got lumberjack competitions, where the flannel-clad throw axes, climb trees, and make you question why you ever stopped working out. There’s also an entire day dedicated to butter carving, which isn’t so much entertainment as it is performance art for the dairy-obsessed.

Attendance and Atmosphere: Big Crowds, Big Hearts

The Minnesota State Fair holds the title for the largest attendance, regularly drawing over 2 million visitors each year, which is basically half of Minnesota (and a few curious Wisconsinites). It’s a fair that embodies the wholesome, family-friendly vibe of the Midwest—like a hug from your favorite grandma, except she’s wearing a corndog hat.

Texas, while slightly behind in attendance, makes up for it with sheer spectacle. Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the fairgrounds. Over 2.2 million square feet of fair space means you’ll need a map, a compass, and maybe a survival kit to get through it all. The Texas State Fair is a rowdy, boisterous celebration of Lone Star pride—complete with fried Dr. Pepper, because why not?

Final Verdict: And the Winner Is…

Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for. Which fair reigns supreme? Well, if you’re looking for massive spectacles, outrageous food that will take a decade off your life expectancy, and a state-sized helping of Southern charm, the State Fair of Texas is your winner. But if you’re after something-on-a-stick and enough cheese curds to clog the arteries of a small nation, then the Minnesota State Fair takes the cake (or the Sweet Martha's cookie bucket).

But if we’re being honest, when it comes to state fairs this big, everybody wins. Except your cholesterol levels.

Rank Order:

1. Minnesota State Fair – For the cheese curds, roasted corn, the sheer number of things on a stick, and that wholesome Midwestern vibe.
2. State Fair of Texas – For Big Tex, football, and the most creative ways to deep-fry literally anything.

Now, if only they’d deep-fry a cheese curd the size of Big Tex...