Getting Roped Into Texas

Kevin Fitzpatrick hasn’t had “a real job” in over 20 years. The trick roper and bullwhip artist was in Toronto as part of the “Texas on Tour” destination exhibit at Yonge-Dundas Square May 27-29.

“Texas on Tour is an interactive high-tech marketing exhibit that brings a taste of what Texas has to offer to consumers in their own backyard,” Tim Fennell, tourism deputy director at Texas Tourism, told PressToday during an industry soiree promoting the exhibit on May 28. “You can get a hands-on personal experience of some of the different activities and everything you might want to do on a Texas vacation.”

Featuring live music and entertainment, as well as technological displays where visitors could experience the sights and sounds of the Lone Star State, the exhibit highlighted Texas’ offerings beyond its western heritage, cowboys and dude ranches. Citing a 1,000 km of coastline with warm beaches, over 800 golf courses and resorts that are playable almost year-round and a thriving music scene, Fennell says Texas has a lot for visitors to discover.

“We do have lots of great dude ranches and other western experiences, but we also have a lot of diversity that people aren’t as aware of,” he says. “We’re the fifth largest state for wine production so we have a lot of great vineyards and wineries to visit. In addition to barbecue, TexMex was invented in Texas and we have great fresh seafood so there’s a vast range of culinary options as well.”

Presented by Texas Tourism and VoX International, this was the first time Texas on Tour was showcased outside of the US. On hand at the industry event are (l-r) Fitzpatrick, Gerlinde Perera of VoX International, Fennell, and VoX International’s Rosalyn Hunter and Juan Forteza.