Big Tex (6)

Big Tex is a 55-foot tall statue and icon of the annual State Fair of Texas held at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. The figure has become a cultural icon of Dallas and Texas. Since 1952 Big Tex has served as a cultural ambassador to visitors, and the statue's prime location in the fairgrounds serves as a traditional meeting point. Big Tex welcomes fair-goers with his friendly drawl of "Hoooowdeeee, fooolllllks!" and makes regular announcements throughout the duration of the State Fair of Texas. His booming voice has been played by only a few men over six decades, who perform every day of the fair from a booth known as the "doghouse". Al Jones, a disc jockey for WRR FM 101.1, was the first voice of Big Tex. Al spoke for Big Tex for three years. Radio announcer Jim Lowe, the most well-known voice of Big Tex, performed for 39 continuous years until 1998. Dan Alexander stepped up for the next two years. In 2001, Sonny Ray Stolz was named as the next voice of Big Tex. Bill Bragg took over in 2002. Dan Alexander took over as Big Tex in 2004.