Big Tex dead at 60

[hemibee]

http://www.chron.com/news/article/Big-Tex-dead-at-60-3964183.php#photo-3615540

Big Tex dead at 60

By Dan X. McGraw | Friday, October 19, 2012 | Updated: Friday, October 19, 2012 1:49pm

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Click here. . . Listen to the Big Tex 911 call

The iconic statue of Big Tex caught on fire early Friday morning and burned to the ground, Texas State Fair officials said.
The famous cowboy, who welcomed visitors into the fairgrounds for 60 years, caught fire around 10:40 a.m., officials said. Fair spokeswoman Debbie Flatt said he went up "within minutes" after smoke was first reported billowing from his hat.
"It burned the clothes right off of him," she said. "I don't know the state of the head or his hat. I'm sure there is a lot of damage."
Bill Bragg, who's the voice of Big Tex, said a visitor knocked on his door and alerted him of the smoke coming from the statue's hat. He said he immediately shut down the equipment and told officials.
Officials called 911 who reported to the scene of a "rather tall cowboy with all his clothes burned off," according to a 911 recording. Visitors were evacuated from the area as firefighters worked to extinguish the flames.
Bragg said the demise of Big Tex hadn't fully sunk in yet.
"It's the end of an era momentarily," he said. "But Big Tex will return bigger and better than ever. He will be back next year."
Flatt added that he's been a staple for the past 60 years.
"It is kind of like losing your friend," Flatt said. "I'm in shock. It's devastating."

 

[hendo01]

thats sad someone burn him down or a acky

 

[hemibee]

The smoke was coming from his collar before the flames were seen so at this time they are saying an electrical fault is believed was the cause.


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[hemibee]

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[donroger1]

I arrived at Mom's this afternoon and the news came on with this story....

Said they plan to rebuild him for next year..... Won't be the same!

 

[hemibee]

DALLAS (October 19, 2012)—Big Tex, the iconic symbol of the State Fair of Texas, went up in flames Friday morning at Fair Park in Dallas.

Only his hands were still intact.

The fair’s vice president of marketing told WFAA-TV in Dallas an electrical short appears to have been the cause of the fire.

Witnesses said flames engulfed the 70-foot figure within five minutes, WFAA reported.

Other details weren’t immediately available.

The towering, hand waving mascot of the State Fair of Texas, was celebrating his 60th birthday this year.

With his 75-gallon hat, 50-pound belt buckle and folksy, slow drawl greeting, “Howdy, folks!" Big Tex has been the star of the fair since 1952.

The birthplace of the 52-foot-tall cowboy was actually outside Dallas in the town of Kerens, where the giant figure was originally a Santa Claus.

Big Tex was showing his age even before this latest birthday.

When he turned 50 in 2002, crews made his hair grayer and added wrinkles to his face and hands.


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[CarlS]

I am interested how they rebuild him - if they try to duplicate him or use a new design. It is a shame that icon was lost.

 

[donroger1]

They may rebuild him but he won't be the same!!!!

Fair officials and city leaders quickly called for the return of Big Tex, vowing to rebuild the structure. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings tweeted that the cowboy would become "bigger and better for the 21st Century."

 

[CarlS]

No he won't.