Attractions
The D.S. Dudley Show of Mankins
By Shannon Gillette
Mankins, Texas, located twenty miles southeast of Wichita Falls in the north corner of Archer County has the unique distinction of once being able to claim circus activities as their primary source of industry. From 1914 through the early 1970s, Mankins was the home base of the D. S. Dudley traveling show.
D.S. Dudley, better known as Cheyenne, was born in 1895 in Gainesville, Texas. He made a name for himself as a rodeo performer and bronc rider, but dreamed of owning and operating his own show. In 1914, he purchased a traveling carnival.
His work of growing the new business was halted with the outbreak of World War I. Dudley joined the military. He served in Company D, 133rd Machine Gun Battalion, 72nd Infantry Brigade. Once the war ended, he returned to Texas and set his sights on creating a successful traveling carnival.
Dudley married a girl from Mankins, Jessie Ruth Wolf. Together they raised a family and lived the carny lifestyle. The D.S. Dudley Show included various rides for kids of all ages, side show exhibits, exotic animals and midway games of chance. They performed in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska.
They traveled and performed eight months out of the year. The show was a family affair. The 1940 Federal Population Census lists Dudley’s occupation as a manager of his own show. He was living next door to his brother, John. John’s occupation was an electrician in show business. John’s brother-in-law, living with him, was listed as an apprentice in show business.
At the peak of their success, the D.S. Dudley Show employed 250 people. When planning shows out of state, Dudley often placed advertisements in “Billboard Magazine” looking for temporary help. He required those whom he hired to be sober and reliable. Through these ads, it is possible to get an idea of what types of shows, rides and games that the D.S. Dudley Show presented.
To read more pick up a copy of the September 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
On The Road With Dave Alexander
Rarely will you find an event center that includes a music venue, a steakhouse and a wildlife refuge all rolled into one.
Oak Meadow Ranch has been welcoming guests for over two decades with one thing in mind, your complete happy experience.
The Chef Dinner and Exotic Animal Experience includes a four-course meal followed by a hands-on experience with exotic animals.
You can catch up with Dave at the Birthplace of Western Swing Festival in Fort Worth, Texas on November 7, or at the Irving Symphony Orchestra in Irving, Texas on November 9. To read more about his experience at Oak Meadow Ranch, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print.
To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Lindsey Monk
On Aug. 22, 2024 at 11:40 p.m., the Remington fire jumped the line in Wyoming to burn towards Montana at a high rate of speed. The fire burned 194,459 acres and over 41 miles from one end to the other in a span of two days. Livestock producers will be feeling the effects for years to come.
Pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Hannah Claxton | Editor
The GO TEXAN program is a Texas Department of Agriculture initiative dedicated to showcasing and supporting Texas based busi- nesses. During the State Fair of Texas, held in Dallas each year, the program puts together the GO TEXAN pavilion. Within the pavilion, presented by Southwest Dairy Farmers, visitors have the opportunity to sample and shop Texas-based products, learn more about agriculture and participate in family-friendly activities.
In 2023, more than $1 million in revenue was generated across nearly 67,000 products sold. Businesses with products produced or processed in Texas are invited to apply to join the program, and can visit http:// www.gotexan.org/JOIN to apply.
When visiting the State Fair of Texas, make sure to visit the GO TEXAN pavilion to support businesses driving agricultural commerce and explore Texas agricultural commodities outside of North Texas.
The State Fair of Texas is held each year in the fall, and is considered to be the first of the “majors” shows for many students involved in showing livestock. Cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, and even llamas all have a class to enter at the fair.
For those not showing livestock, over a hundred creative arts classes are available to enter. Canned goods, photography, quilts, paintings, and butter sculptures are all displayed throughout the fair’s duration. Another contest judges a variety of antique collections and keeps them on display throughout the duration of the fair.
It’s not the State Fair of Texas without world-renowned food. The Big Tex Choice Awards contest has solidified the State Fair of Texas as the top Fair for great food creations. Each year, State Fair concessionaires fry up tasty and unique foods for a chance to become a finalist in the annual Big Tex Choice Awards competition.
The 2024 Finalists in the Savory category are: Dominican Fritura Dog (by Justin Martinez), The Drowning Taquitos (by Tony & Terry Bednar), Hippie Chips (by Rose and Tom Deschenes), Hot Chick-In- Pancake Poppers (by Palmer and Amanda Fortune), Texas Fried Burnt End Bombs (by Nick and Vera Burt).
In the Sweet category, the 2024 Finalists are: Nevins Nutty Bar- Laska (by Tami Nevins Mayes & Josie Mayes), Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon On A Stick (by Isaac Rousso), Strawberry Pop-Tarts Beignettfle (by Justin Martinez), Texas Sugar Rush Pickles (by Heather Perkins), and Tropical Two-Step Punch (by Binh Tran).
Livestock & contests schedule of events is available in the September issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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