State Fair of Texas Cookbooks

It's that time of year....The State Fair of Texas.  Awwww.....people from around here count down the days till the fair starts. Texans love Fletcher's Corny Dogs, fried cactus to fried butter, Belgium waffles covered in strawberries and cream, and the sound of Big Tex welcoming us with a "HOWDY."  The start of the State Fair symbolizes fall, felt cowboy hats and the Texas / OU football game.

I think one of the best kept secrets of the State Fair of Texas is the wonderful cookbook they publish every year.  The first cookbook was published in 1977 containing the winning recipes from 1976's food contests.  They published 18,000 of these cookbooks and it took three years to sell all of them.  The first cookbook is a collectible.  Collectors are searching for the first edition and have offered to pay up to $500 for one.  Check your local flea markets, antique stores, thrift stores and even Half Price Book Store.  I found mine on E-Bay for under $10.....oh how I love a BARGAIN.

1st Cookbook of the Texas State Fair.

The Second Cookbook was published in 1979 and there has been a cookbook published every year since then.  I started my collection in 1986 and that cookbook still remains my favorite after all these years.  I'm only missing four of the cookbooks and  I'm always on the hunt to find them.

1979 Cookbook

1980 Cookbook
Updated....Got it 9/27/13

1982 Cookbook

1985 Cookbook
Updated....got it...Thanks Ty! 12/12

Here is a list of all of the cookbooks in case you are interested in starting your collection!

The 2012 Cookbook is the first one to be in hardback.

If you are headed out to the fair this weekend for the Texas / OU game go by the Women's Building or as some call it the Creative Arts Building and get your 2012 State Fair of Texas Cookbook....it's a great year to start your collection!

Hook'em Horns!!!!