The 2017 State Fair of Texas doesn't start until September 29, but the State Fair team is already in full press release mode. This time, it's news about several new attractions lined up for this year's event.

World War I
The fair is marking the 100th anniversary of America's entry into World War I with two exhibits. "Texas in the First World War" provides an in-depth look into Lone Star State history, with wartime memorabilia and vehicles such as a Model T ambulance and a 1917 Indian motorcycle. "America and World War I" showcases original artifacts ranging from personal items to weaponry gathered from all participating nations during the Great War.

Cartoonist
"Drawing Power: The Editorial Art of John Knott" pays tribute to cartoonist John Knott, who worked for The Dallas Morning News for 52 years.

Agriculture
"Agriculture in Texas" is a new exhibit in the Science Place building that spotlights community gardens and urban farming. In collaboration with engineering students from the Hunt Institute at SMU, the Fair is hosting "Evie," a trailer-turned-mobile greenhouse.

The Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center is a new facility that the release says will attract new shows, meetings, events, and conventions to Fair Park throughout the year. It also says that the Fair will expand the scope of livestock and agriculture activities, reminding us that not everyone in Texas lives in a city.

Magic
World of Magic is a new attraction with mind-blowing magic tricks and illusions featuring performances by award-winning illusionists and even a floating robot. The release says that fairgoers can also visit the theater to find Backyard Circus at its new location, which offers little ones the chance to dress up in costumes and take part in a show starring lion tamers, tight-rope walkers, ballerinas, and a host of circus favorites. They're still pushing that outdated circus stuff even though Ringling has retired?

Flowers
Texas Discovery Gardens will host floral arrangements from the Ikebana International Dallas Chapter; Ikebana is the Japanese art of arranging flowers.

Food
Gulf Coast Grill is an island-style grill with a tropical flair, and will feature live music from local artists on weekends.

Stiffler’s Mom’s Cookie Factory does chocolate chip cookies and milk. It showcases two observation windows and boasts the ability to bake 800 cookies every 11 minutes. With that many cookies, you know it will be good. Fairgoers can order cookies by the bucket or in a bag of six, and then watch the baking process from start to finish.

A new Cotton Candy Stand location will be housed in the very center of the Tower Building, showcasing how cotton candy is made. Is that a complicated thing?

Sports
On October 7 the Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic brings its annual matchup between Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M University. October 14 is the AT&T Red River Showdown between the University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Oklahoma Sooners.