While many attendees at the State Fair of Texas race in for their first corny dog, there’s a hidden gem that deserves attention before the festivities begin: the Texas Woofus.
Nestled between the Swine Barn and the Livestock Birthing Barn, this whimsical statue is easy to overlook, but its design and backstory are sure to delight fairgoers of all ages.
The Woofus is no ordinary creature; it is a fantastical assemblage, representing a variety of livestock typically found at the fair.
This quirky being boasts the face of a sheep, the neck of a horse, the body of a pig, duck wings, a turkey’s tail, and Texas Longhorn horns, making it a truly unique creation.
According to Texas folklore, this magical creature was born when an Australian sheep vacationed at the State Fair.
During its visit, the sheep indulged in corny dogs, explored the Midway, and mingled with the various barn animals, culminating in the creation of the Texas Woofus.
Interestingly, the Woofus was crafted for the Texas Centennial Exposition in 1936, a grand celebration marking Texas’s 100th anniversary of independence from Mexico.
Artists and sculptors, including Lawrence Tenney Stevens who created the Woofus, contributed to transforming Fair Park into an Art Deco marvel, attracting over six million attendees, including then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt, during the event.
George Dahl, who coordinated the Centennial’s planning and design, desired a piece that would playfully embody Texas’s spirit, leading to the magical creation of the Woofus.
However, after the Centennial festivities wrapped up, many of the artistic installations at Fair Park faced an uncertain fate.
The Texas Woofus was removed around 1941, and the reasons behind its disappearance remain a source of speculation.
Some suggest the statue’s removal was inspired by controversy surrounding the Centennial’s artistic offerings, particularly the adult entertainment aspects that provoked discussions among community leaders.
Others theorize that the Woofus was accidentally damaged by construction equipment, prompting its removal for repairs that never came to fruition.
Despite the ensuing mystery and the Woofus’s growing obscurity over the next several decades, he was not entirely forgotten.
In 1998, after nearly sixty years of absence, former Friends of Fair Park director Craig Holcomb stumbled upon photographs of the Woofus, awakening his interest and dedication to resurrecting the beloved statue.
To fund the Woofus’s return to Fair Park, Holcomb initiated The Woofus Dinner, a quirky annual fundraiser where attendees joyfully connected over meals and spiritedly sang ‘The Woofus Song’—a celebration of the statue’s revival.
Over five years, this whimsical gathering raised an impressive $60,000, ultimately enabling the reconstruction and reinstallation of the whimsical Woofus.
Sculptor David Newton was tasked with recreating the mythical beast, drawing inspiration from a two-foot model of the original 1936 design.
Tragically, just as Newton completed the new statue, a fire at the foundry resulted in its destruction.
Fortunately, after another attempt, a third Woofus was successfully created and installed in Fair Park in 2002.
Visitors at the State Fair are encouraged to take a moment to visit the Woofus in his home near the Swine Barn.
He stands as a fantastic photo opportunity and a whimsical testament to the quirky charm of Texas culture.
Craig Holcomb fondly remembers the process of transporting the newly created Woofus on a flatbed truck to Fair Park, noting how he captured the attention of passing motorists along the way.
“I have always thought that everybody else on the highway that day must have gotten to wherever they were going and said, ‘You won’t believe what I saw today!’” Holcomb remarked.
As the State Fair of Texas runs until October 19, the opportunity to meet the Texas Woofus awaits fairgoers eager to uncover a piece of hidden history amidst the festivities.
image source from：keranews
