South Dallas Natives Reflect on 100 Years of the State Fair Classic

Childhood Memories at the State Fair

• 💡 Willie Mae Coleman and Don Johnson, longtime friends from South Dallas, share memories of growing up and attending the State Fair of Texas.
• 🎯 Don recalls working on the midway during the segregated 1940s, operating games like "Hit the Trigger Duck" (later known as the Duck Tank Contest).
• ✊ Willie May remembers marching with civil rights leader Wanita Craft and facing exclusion from the fair due to segregation.

Segregation and Negro Achievement Day

• 🚫 During the segregated era, Black individuals were only allowed at the fair on Negro Achievement Day.
• 🏈 This day coincided with the State Fair Classic, an annual football game between rival Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) held at the Cotton Bowl Stadium.
• 🗓️ The first State Fair Classic game took place in 1925 between Wiley College and Langston University.

The State Fair Classic: A Cultural Celebration

• 📸 Archival photos from the African-American Museum of Dallas, curated by Margie Reese, bring back memories of past games and fair experiences.
• 👗 Attendees, like those in a 1956 photo, dressed up in suits and high heels for the event, showcasing pride and tradition.
• 🤝 The transition from a segregated fair to an integrated one in the late 1960s marked a significant cultural shift.

A Moment of Strength and Unity

• ✨ Margie Reese describes the football game as more than a competition; it's a moment of strength that reunites the community.
• 💖 The State Fair Classic is celebrated not only for its historical significance but also for its role in creating new memories and celebrating identity.
• centenary 100 years of this cultural celebration, marked by this year's matchup between Prairie View A&M and Grambling, highlights its enduring legacy.
• 🌟 The presence of icons like Louis Armstrong at the fair further underscores its cultural importance.