DALLAS, Texas -- The biggest man in Texas, who burned last October in a fire at the State Fair of Texas, will soon stand tall again thanks to donors.
The State Fair of Texas tells WFAA-TV they have received more than $95,000 in contributions to the Big Tex reconstruction fund.
The new Big Tex will cost $500,000, a beautification project surrounding the tall structure is estimated to cost an additional $6,000.
State fair officials say they will receive $155,000 in insurance from the fire in addition to public funds.
In addition to the donations, the fair says they will have six founding sponsors. The fair will cover remaining costs.
On a positive note, the new Big Tex will have a fire-suppression system to ensure this never happens again.
Big Tex made his debut at the 1952 State Fair of Texas. Wearing size 70 boots and a 75-gallon hat, Tex towered 52' above wide-eyed visitors. His denim jeans and plaid shirt were donated by the H. D. Lee Company of Shawnee Mission, Kansas. Cosmetic surgery the following year straightened his nose, corrected a lascivious wink and allowed him to talk.
Big Tex will stand 55 feet tall, that s three feet taller than he was before. He ll also weigh 24,000 pounds, almost four times what he used to weigh due to guy wires not being used in the new structure, allowing him to withstand hurricane-force winds.
The all-new Big Tex is set to debut on September, 27.
