Buckle Down And Drink Up: New At The State Fair

I think I speak for everyone when I say Yee. Haw. It’s almost that time of year for the great Texas State Fair, where folks come from far and wide to check out some great concerts, test their luck on the Midway and loosen their belts for the wide array of fried goods (fried latte, or fried butter, anyone?) Yeesh. Well it may not be the most luxurious event of the season, but this year the Fair is bringing along some very haute items, saddled up alongside all the novelty.

Since this year’s Cattle Baron’s Ball is themed after the Great State Fair, local custom jeweler Eric Olschwanger (who, this summer, celebrated the grand opening of his new design studio and showroom inside Providence Towers) designed a sterling silver, ruby-studded belt buckle to be auctioned off at the 2010 Cattle Baron’s event. Like what you see? Check out this website for more gorgeous babules.

Fried Coca Cola really not on your menu? Head to the Food & Fiber Pavilion to Zhi Tea’s booth. Owner Jeffrey Lorien will be selling four Texas-themed original blends this year, and to honor the legendary Red River Shootout, Zhi has even blended two limited editions, the Longhorn Limited, a brilliantly colored burnt orange red bush tea with flecks of coconut, and the Sooner ‘n Later blend, a hibiscus tea with crimson berries. The Sweet Texas Dreams blend with Texas lavender, lemon grass and hibiscus, and the Austin Breakfast blend, the most potent of the breakfast teas will also be sold online in addition for purchase at the fair. Its an easy, organic way to load up on antioxidant, so you won’t feel guilty about the funnel cake later.