• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Houston First
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    He's baaaaaaaack!

    The One & Only: State Fair of Texas unveils new theme to highlight the return of Big Tex

    Teresa Gubbins
    Feb 6, 2013 | 4:49 pm

    The State Fair of Texas announced its annual theme for 2013: The One & Only. Ta-da. It's meant as a wink, a nod, an homage to Big Tex, the 52-foot icon that burned on the final Friday of the 2012 fair. Sniff sniff.

    Fair officials are currently working with a Texas-based company to restore Big Tex and will unveil him on opening day, which is September 27. The fair closes October 20.

    You can bet your Dickies britches on a major fanfare surrounding Big Tex's "return."

    You can bet your Dickies britches on a major fanfare surrounding Big Tex's "return." Big Tex "coincidentally" flamed out at 10 am on October 19, before the fair's final weekend in 2012.

    Ten o'clock on a Friday morning is probably one of the most media-friendly times to have an unfortunate, unexpected fire. "Luckily" for everyone involved, the fire was contained to a small area inside the statue's wire frame. No one was harmed in this accidental fire.

    That fire made international news. Facebook support groups formed instantly on that fateful Friday, when thousands of people shirking work mourned the "demise" of a bunch of fabric and a papier-mâché "head."

    Anyway, it all worked out in the end, because now there will be a new Big Tex. The release reads, "Without divulging specifics, fair organizers are planning a celebration befitting the gentle giant's return."

    This year, there will also be a new ride called The Top o' Texas, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of Dallas while traversing a 500-foot tower. The ride will debut during Summer Adventures in Fair Park, a new entertainment offering presented by State Fair of Texas and opening in May. Huh, rides all summer long.

    The lineup of concerts isn't ready for release, but this year's musical is The Lion King, with daily performances (except Monday) at the Music Hall at Fair Park from October 2–20.

    What do you think about the State Fair's new theme and the all-new, restored Big Tex? Tell us in the comment section below.

    The old Big Tex. Can he ever be replaced? Sniff.

    News_Big_Tex_state fair
    Photo by Steven Martin
    The old Big Tex. Can he ever be replaced? Sniff.
    unspecified
    news/travel

    TOP CHEFS

    Posh Hill Country resort lands star chef Dominique Crenn for new restaurant

    Brandon Watson
    Oct 24, 2025 | 9:15 am
    Dominique Crenn
    Photo courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country
    Dominique Crenn will helm the upcoming restaurant at the Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country.

    The forthcoming Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country in Fredericksburg isn't messing around when it comes to luxury. The posh hotel has drafted Dominique Crenn, one of the most influential chefs of the 21st century, to helm its signature restaurant, opening in 2027.

    Known for her appearances on Iron Chef and an episode of Netflix's Chef's Table documentary series, Crenn has had one of the culinary world's most stratospheric careers. In the 1980s, she helmed the Intercontinental Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia, becoming the nation's first woman head chef. She became a household name after moving to California, opening her signature restaurant Atelier Crenn in 2011.

    She was awarded the Best Female Chef Award in 2016 by The World's 50 Best Restaurants. In 2018, Atelier Crenn was awarded its third Michelin Star — making Crenn the only woman chef in the United States to have achieved that top honor. The food showcased in the 2022 horror classic The Menu? All Dominique Crenn.

    "Chef Crenn is an extraordinary talent with a rare ability to draw out the essence of every ingredient, crafting a culinary experience unlike any other," said Mark Harmon, developer of Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country, in a release. "With chef Crenn, we aim to further elevate Fredericksburg's identity as a leading wine and culinary destination by creating experiences that feel local, inspired, and enduring."

    Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country Crenn's restaurant will be the showpiece of the posh Fredericksburg hotel.Rendering courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country

    The unnamed restaurant will showcase Crenn's unique approach to cuisine, a style she calls "poetic culinaria." While rooted in French techniques, it will incorporate global flavors, premium seafood and meats, and locally sourced ingredients to showcase Hill County terroir. Guests can also expect a little avant-garde edge.

    "The Texas Hill Country has a culinary rhythm all its own," said Crenn in a statement. "This collaboration is a chance to celebrate the land, the people, and the seasons through a new lens — one that's deeply personal, rooted in nature, and elevated by imagination. I'm honored to bring this vision to life in Fredericksburg, and to be partnering with such an excellent team of hospitality legends to see it through."

    Crenn will have some fancy digs to show off her culinary finesse. The Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill County, the first Texas hotel for the chain, will include 60 hotel rooms, 37 multi-bedroom resort villas, and 50 private residences. In addition to lodgings, the resort will also contain five food and beverage concepts — an all-day restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a bar and lounge, a pool bar, and a grab-and-go juice bar — as well as a spa, a fitness center, and two resort-style pools.

    chefscelebritieshill countryhotelsfredericksburgopenings
    news/travel

    most read posts

    'Greatest Neighborhood Restaurant' to open first Houston location

    U.S. News ranks Houston middle school No. 2 in Texas for 2026

    Comforting Houston seafood restaurant sets Rice Village opening date

    Loading...