The National Weather Service reported thunderstorms, heavy and strong winds and a possible tornado across Dallas-Fort Worth which prompted the State Fair of Texas to shut down early according to a Dallas Morning News article from October 10 which reports,
“Thunderstorms rolled through across Dallas-Fort Worth late Sunday, forcing the State Fair of Texas to shut down early for the night as it brought strong winds, lightning and heavy rain.
There is also a severe thunderstorm warning in effect for parts of North Texas, including Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Erath, Grayson, Hamilton, Hood, Jack, Montague, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somerveil, Tarrant and Wise counties
Threats include winds of up to 70 mph and quarter-sized hail, the weather service said.”
This also prompted the organizers to adjust their Sugar Ray Concert Schedule to accommodate the fans and fairgoers and even held up free admission according to the State of Fair Texas website. They say,
“Due to the chance of inclement weather this evening, the State Fair of Texas has MOVED THE SUGAR RAY CONCERT UP TO 6:00 P.M., so fans and fairgoers don’t miss a minute of the concert. Concerts on the Chevrolet Main Stage are FREE with State Fair admission.
The safety of fairgoers, vendors, and employees is our number one priority. With the strong likelihood of severe weather this evening, rather than cancel the concert, we have moved it up two and a half hours as a precaution.”
Many of the fans and fairgoers were delighted to be able to watch the concert and attend the fair despite the concert moving up on schedule and the fair ending earlier than planned. While the thunderstorms were indeed cause for alarm, fortunately, weather conditions did not escalate dangerously.
