Celebrating the Taste of Texas
Celebrations bring people together in a purposeful way to build community. Food is central for convening and solidifying bonds. Fairs, festivals, fiestas and other celebrations held around the state market local products and in turn promote the state’s diverse cultures and economic interests by highlighting and serving favorite dishes.
Established in 1886, the Texas State Fair is the granddaddy of all state celebrations. The Texas Department of Agriculture uses the opportunity to promote home-grown flavors annually at the Food and Fiber pavilion, where one may find Texas pork, honey, nuts, sauces, and much more from the wealth of products raised and grown in the state.
Exhibit Video
"Here's Texas: Fiesta" - Texas Department of Public Safety records. 1983/050. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is the custodian of the motion picture film “Here’s Texas: Fiesta.” This film is presented online with permission from the estate of the original copyright owner Linda Shuler. Use of this film for any other purpose is restricted and requires permission of the current copyright owners.
Exhibit Items
F.H. Dever to Oscar B. Colquitt, October 3, 1913, and announcement. Texas Governor Oscar B. Colquitt records, Box 301-278, folder 5.
This letter and announcement for a speaking contest on corn growing at the Washington County Fair shows the importance of food to Texan celebrations. Governor Colquitt was involved in these local celebrations.
Texas Pork King Cook-Off, August 1978. Texas Department of Agriculture photograph collection, Box 2001/078-68, image number 78-103-B5.
Click or tap on thumbnail for larger image.
Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Hispanic Employee Association, May 3, 1991. Texas Department of Agriculture photograph collection, Box 2001/078-156, image number 91-039-10.
Click or tap on thumbnail for larger image.
Chili festival, undated. Texas Tourist Development Agency audiovisual materials, transparencies, Box 1991/077-35, image number 703-10 (Digital facsimile).
The “Texas cattle empire” – as mentioned in this article – helped mold the state’s identity. To this day, Texas remains the national leader in cattle production, in both quantity and selection.
Click or tap on thumbnail for larger image.
Wurstfest, New Braunfels, Texas, undated. Texas Tourist Development Agency audiovisual materials, Box 1991/077-13, image number 208-10 (Digital facsimile).
Click or tap on thumbnails for larger images.
Fiesta Caceria: A Benefit for the Nuevo Santander Museum Association. January 26, 1980. TSLAC-Texas Documents Collection, Z L200.6 F464cac 1980.
Celebrations and food go hand-in-hand. This program for Fiesta Caceria, held at the Laredo Civic Center, included a menu prepared by chefs.
Click or tap on thumbnail for larger image.
J.R.’s Secret Sauce, 1986. Texas Sesquicentennial Commission records, Box 1987/092-30.
The Texas Sesquicentennial included numerous promotional food items, such as this barbecue sauce. The three bottles show the different types of accessories included with this item.
Click or tap on thumbnails for larger images.
Report to the Texas Legislature, 1968. HemisFair 1968 brochures, Box 2-23/886.
This brochure shows the predicted economic impact of the 1968 World’s Fair held in San Antonio, Texas.
Click or tap on thumbnails for larger image.
Calendar of centennial celebrations, 1936. Texas Commission of Control for Texas Centennial Celebrations records, Box 4-16/117.
Click or tap on thumbnail for larger image.
J.T. Tanner to Governor James V Allred, June 20, 1936. Texas Governor James V. Allred records, Box 1985/024-34.
Celebrations in Texas not only featured food, they served as an opportunity for Texans to come together from different backgrounds. There were celebrations held throughout Texas in 1936 for the state’s centennial. In this letter, an individual complains about the racial integration of the Dallas celebration. This celebration occurred at the State Fair grounds.
Click or tap on thumbnail for larger image.
State Fair, 1985. Texas Department of Agriculture slide collection, Box 2011/139-21, image number 2011/139-21-F10-51 (Digital facsimile) and State Fair, 1981. Texas Department of Agriculture slide collection, Box 2011/139-21, image number 2011/139-21-F3-18 (Digital facsimile).
Celebrations in Texas not only featured food, they served as an opportunity for Texans to come together from different backgrounds. There were celebrations held throughout Texas in 1936 for the state’s centennial. In this letter, an individual complains about the racial integration of the Dallas celebration. This celebration occurred at the State Fair grounds.
Click or tap on thumbnails for larger images.
Chef Stephen Pyles, 1987. Texas Department of Agriculture slide collection, Box 2011/139-25, image number 2011/139-25-F11-24.
Click or tap on thumbnail for larger image.
A totally Texas menu at the governor's, 1995. Texas Department of Agriculture slide collection, Box 2011/139-26, image number 2011/139-26-F2-menu.
Click or tap on thumbnail for larger image.
Pork proclamation and luncheon, 1970. Texas Department of Agriculture photographs, Box 2001/078-006, image number 70-088-01.
Click or tap on thumbnail for larger image.
Governor Smith and Watermelon Queen, 1970. Texas Department of Agriculture photographs, Box 2001/078-005, image number 70-075-02.
Click or tap on thumbnail for larger image.
Home - Setting the Texas Table ->
Setting the Texas Table Exhibit Pages:
Setting the Texas Table | Cooking Up Texas | The Lean Table | Farm to Market |
Great Eats! Making It Official | Land And Cattle | Celebrating the Taste of Texas |