Horrified Texas Fairgoers Watch as Beloved Icon Big Tex Burns in Electrical Fire
Posted on October 19, 2012
A beloved Texas icon for 60 years, Big Tex, was destroyed today in an electrical fire at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. It was a horrifying moment that shocked fairgoers who just stood and stared as the flames shot from his neck then engulfed his body.
Big Tex is 52 feet tall and gives live commentary to fair goers during the fair. He wears a 75-gallon cowboy hat and size 70 faux ostrich skin boots. His belt is 23 feet long and his belt buckle weighs 50 lbs. The Mayor of Dallas says that Big Tex will be rebuilt better than ever for next year's fair.
The Dallas Morning News spoke with Bill Bragg, who is the voice of Big Tex. During the day, Bragg sits in his trailer next to Big Tex and talks to fairgoers about events at the fair. Bragg was speaking as Big Tex when the fire happened. He was devastated when he went outside his trailer and saw what was left of his alter ego, He told the News, "I could not believe my eyes. It was sadness and shock. We were all just hoping that it would be a bad dream and we'd wake up and everything would be OK." Bragg says he watched Tex burn as tears rolled down his face. Bragg noted that Tex, "went down talking."
Here is video of the fire:
And here is Big Tex during happier times:
R.I.P. Big Tex. We'll miss you.