The 2025 State Fair of Texas is scheduled to open Sept. 26 and run until Oct. 9 at Fair Park in Dallas, featuring 24 days of celebration of Texan food, music, rides and culture. Prices of tickets vary by day, with discounts available online. Taylor Pulfer, State Fair of Texas director of communications, described this annual event as the organization's largest fundraiser, with all proceeds dedicated to the nonprofit mission of supporting education, community giving and the preservation of Fair Park. One of the fair's signatures is its “Texas-sized” twist on traditions. Fairgoers are greeted by Big Tex, a 55-foot cowboy, with his signature “Howdy, folks,” while the Cotton Bowl stadium hosts the Allstate Red River Rivalry football game. Another staple is the Big Tex Choice Awards, a creative fried food competition that has become a tradition that can’t be found anywhere else, Pulfer said in an email. Food remains one of the fair’s central experiences. Alongside classics such as Fletcher’s Corny Dogs, visitors can try this year’s Big Tex Choice award-winning foods, including the Crab and Mozzarella Arancini, Chill and Thrill Delight, Cookie Chaos Milkshake and Wagyu Bacon Cheeseburger Deviled Egg Sliders. Pulfer said this fair is a “tradition that gives back.” It drives tourism, supports small businesses, showcases Texas agriculture and helps fund scholarships and community programs. For first-time visitors, Pulfer recommended starting with a photo with Big Tex, grabbing a corny dog, then exploring Midway rides, the livestock barn, the auto show, cultural exhibits and live music. “The Fair is a tradition that brings people together,” Pulfer said. “For many families, it’s where memories are made year after year.” @samip.parajuli.54 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Student Senate members appointed a new Supreme Court justice, introduced four new resolutions and voted on one resolution during their Tuesday meeting. The body confirmed Kayla Gillespie, nominated by Student Body President Effua Jordan, as the fifth Supreme Court justice. Jordan said Gillespie has consistently shown herself to be a leader grounded in service, integrity and community, and has made it clear that she will approach her role with balance and impartiality. Gillespie said she brings the perspective of someone who wants the community to grow. “College is about making memories and building a community when you’re away from home, and I just want to make sure that everyone gets that chance because they deserve it,” she said. During the meeting, student senators passed Resolution 25-13, “Move Out of the Way,” after deliberation. The resolution aims to create designated parking spots for campus delivery and supply trucks that do not interfere with the routes of the MavMovers. Samuel Duncan, College of Liberal Arts senator, raised concerns over student parking, noting it is already limited and that some lots that would be utilized are full. Others said that the delivery drivers would be moving after a set period of time and that the proposed maps are temporary until there is a more fleshed out parking map after renovations are completed. “Parking is already a problem,” said Hephzibah Akinmade, College of Nursing and Health Innovation senator. “But it’s not like we’re taking all this space with the student; they’re just there for a set amount of time, so the order of everyday life is going to move on.” Resolutions 25-18, “Cultivating Campus Civic Culture”; 25-19, “Title IX, Don’t Take Mine”; 25-20, “TextBook Sell-Back Drive”; and 25-21, “Analog Manual,” were introduced to the senate. During the open forum, Andres Morales, Student Body vice president, addressed the senate about the upcoming senatorial reelection, as today was the campaign kickoff. In his speech, Morales said 17 student senators were up for reelection, noting they cannot flow through the election cycle comfortably. He questioned the senators, asking, “What have you done for your constituents? Have you used this responsibility? Have you shown up and voted when it really mattered?” “To be a senator is to carry influence and with it accountability; your votes, your presence and your voice do more than just fill these seats right here,” he said. Resolutions 25-14, “Shh-tudy Rooms,” and 25-15, “Minimum Wage, Maximum Impact,” were killed. Academic Affairs Chair Emman Khan said Resolution 25-14, “Shh-tudy Rooms,” was killed because the library is already working on initiatives that the bill asks for, which is making library study rooms more soundproof. Student Affairs Chair Roberto Sok said Resolution 25-15, “Minimum Wage, Maximum Impact was killed due to the minimum wage being set to $10 by the UT System. Updates on the research process were given on Resolution 25-17, “Gimme My Greens,” and Resolution 25-16, “Condom Convenience.” The next Student Senate meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Sept. 30 in the Student Government Chambers. @tay._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

From the start of Fright Fest at Six Flags to a Lil Wayne concert, Dallas-Fort Worth residents have plenty of events to attend this week. Sports Grab a seat to watch the Dallas Cowboys play against the New York Giants in their 2025 home opener at noon Sunday at AT&T Stadium. Tickets start at $75 and doors open at 10 a.m. Watch North Texas Soccer Club take on Sporting Kansas City II in a soccer match at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Choctaw Stadium, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for general seating start at $24 and are available for purchase online. Entertainment The thrilling Fright Fest will be returning to Six Flags Over Texas starting Friday. It will recur weekly on Sunday, Friday and Saturday until Nov. 2. There will be haunted mazes, live shows and more. Tickets start at $30 to gain access to the haunted mazes, which does not include park admission, and cost $69 for access to both. Enjoy the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy “You Can’t Take It With You,” beginning its run at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Theatre Arlington. Tickets start at around $40 for adults. There is a $5 student discount on tickets, and if a student comes with a student ID 15 minutes before the play begins, they can purchase any remaining seats for $5. Music Experience PopCycles Pedals and Beats, an open-air bicycle and outdoor festival from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at 300 E. Division St. There will be live music provided by Truth Vinyl, and the event is open to anyone in the community and riders of all skill levels. There will be art, vendors and food for attendees to enjoy alongside the music. Lil Wayne is on tour to celebrate 20-plus years of his “Carter” album series and will be performing at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Dos Equis Pavilion in Dallas. Admission to the concert starts at around $40, and doors open at 6:30 p.m. @hud4qureshi news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

As the sun set and the air cooled in Arlington, Jose “G-Bear” Gomez Jr. pedaled his glossy black cruiser along the city’s streets. Gomez and more than 60 cyclists motored through the UTA campus, and around the downtown area to the Entertainment District once a week — in a good-natured pack of whirling wheels. Zoom. “You get to see a lot of things that you never saw while you’re in the car,” said Gomez, a 43-year-old Dallas resident working in sales. Gomez is a member of the DFW BMX Cruisers group, established in 2018 to bike across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The group meets in Arlington on most Wednesdays. For many cyclists, riding with DFW BMX Cruisers provides mental and physical exercise along with a sense of community. Members from all walks of life say they’re looking out for each other — during and after the rides. Many are small business owners who trade services through the group, from plumbers and technicians to car dealers. “You can see anybody on our page, they’re all saying BMX family,” Midlothian resident Peter James said. “We all try to help each other out.” Grand Prairie resident Kriss Parra nodded, chiming in. “Someone gets a flat tire on the ride, everybody stops and helps out,” Parra said. At around 8 p.m. on a recent Wednesday, the group met at the Fuzzy’s Taco Shop on East Abram Street where members readied themselves for the ride. For Dallas resident Joana Cornejo, the rides relieve stress from her job in the food industry. “I take it as therapy,” Cornejo said. “It helps me out to destress from everything going on in the world or at home and just go out and have a good time with all the guys, all the girls that come. Now it’s more of us girls, which is fun.” Calves tightened, helmets were balanced, wheels inched forward. Then they were off. Whoosh. On campus, a tide of riders poured across the University Center’s wide pavement. Neon bike rims flickered, casting a party glow as bass-heavy EDM music pulsed through portable speakers. Some performed wheelies, leaning back with a bent leg and balancing on the rear wheel. They made a steep ascent around UTA before heading out to the bright lights of Arlington. A 7-Eleven came into sight. Skrrrt. Members rested, grabbed a drink at the store and caught up with one another. Then they pedaled around the Globe Life Field area before circling back to Fuzzy’s — sometimes reaching about 10 miles per hour. On average, the group rides at least 10 to 12 miles every time they meet. Members keep the same route for peace of mind, Gomez said. Despite the familiar path, they are still learning new things. “We discover a lot of restaurants and a lot of new places,” Gomez said. Then they get back to their daily lives. “Ultimately, you know, that’s what we all have to do, get back to our everyday,” said Arlington resident Eddie Pineda, who leads the Wednesday rides. “But this is our escape from everyday.” @DangHLe news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu