When R.J. Haayden was born in September, his parents planned to use
The idea was this: Take their child to the State Fair of Texas every year and snap his picture in front of the 52-foot-tall cowboy.
This year’s trip was scheduled for the fair’s last Saturday. It would be R.J.’s second time away from his
All she could do was text her husband, Richard Haayden, a short message: “O.M.G. Did you see the news?”
The Haaydens, like thousands of others, still made the trip to the fair Saturday. And, even though there was no giant waving cowboy and no sound of “Howdy, folks” in an amplified Southern drawl,
Dozens of people left memorials in the circle where the cowboy had stood. A votive candle with the image of Jesus had been placed on a rock. In front of that was a banner that said, “
The employees of Bert’s Burgers and Fries left a hamburger sprouting out of a yellow tissue paper flower. And there were dozens of bouquets, including one with flowers and 10 corny dogs packed inside an upside-down cowboy hat.
There were also mementos to buy, but those were selling fast. At a Big Tex merchandise stand, vendor Debra Williams had pulled
“Anything with
“Since he died yesterday, this is the shirt you have to have,” Parks said.
State Fair officials may disagree that Big Tex is dead. Within minutes of the fire, they had proclaimed he’d be back “bigger and better” next year.
Meanwhile, his remains are being stored in a warehouse on the fairgrounds. Fire officials and fair workers will inspect the damage to determine an official cause. Although they originally suspected the fire started in
Once the fair is over,
But for its last weekend of the year, the fair had to go on without its most iconic figure. A steady stream of visitors walked by the makeshift memorials and snapped pictures. Others posed in front of the empty air where
There were some sad faces but also laughter.
Lisa and Richard Haayden couldn’t help but grin as they held their 4-week-old baby for the first of many planned pictures. This one may be the most memorable they take.
“I believe they are going to rebuild him, and I think it is going to be hysterical to see this picture,” Lisa Haayden said
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