State Fair of Texas hosts Sensory Sensitive Mornings
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(Texas News Service) Big Tex is up and the Ferris wheel is spinning at the 138th State Fair of Texas. And again, this year the Fair is making special accommodations for anyone who might be sensitive to the bright lights and loud sounds.
For the sixth year, the Fair is offering Sensory Friendly Mornings every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Taylor Pulfer, the fair's director of communications, said the program makes the event accessible for everyone.
"We turn down all of the flashy blinky lights, we turn down all of the sounds, you won't hear music throughout the grounds, even Big Tex's voice is lowered," Pulfer said, "and so it gives individuals who might struggle with sensory sensitivities an easier experience. "
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The Fair has also created a special guided itinerary with a list of activities and exhibits that are easy on the eyes and ears. More information is available at BigTex.com/Sensory.
Around 2.3 million people attended the Fair during its 24-day run last year. The fairgrounds are open to the public on Sensory Friendly Mornings, but Pulfer said the Midway will be designated as a "quiet zone" during the special hours.
"We still can't take away all of the sounds that might be occurring out on the grounds, and we understand that there might be a situation where maybe you have a four-year-old child who has autism and he's just having a meltdown, and you need to step away," Pulfer said. "That's that place that we've created for you to take your child and be able to have a second to depressurize."
She said a restroom made specifically to accommodate people with disabilities will also be available on Wednesday mornings.
"That might need that extra changing space to assist, maybe, an adult with a disability," Pulfer said. "Think of all the sounds that come from a bathroom. You have your hand dryers, all of the flushing, all of the sinks, and so sometimes getting - like a child with autism - into a bathroom, that itself can cause the meltdown. "
The Fair runs through October 20.
