DALLAS -- It was cloudy and cool at the State Fair of Texas on Monday morning, but the weather failed to dampen the spirits of hundreds of Oprah Winfrey fans who got to see their hero live and in person.
Winfrey traveled to Dallas to tape a show that could be aired as early as next week, and she had plenty of company at the Chevrolet Main Stage.
She appeared wearing a cowboy hat, boot and jeans and speaking with a drawl: Y'all sure know how to make a girl feel welcome.
The event kicked off with that great State Fair tradition -- a food-judging contest. Fortunately for the 11 contestants, Winfrey and her friend, Gayle King, couldnt agree on a winner, so two chefs walked away with the grand prize: a refrigerator, stove, washer and drier and microwave oven.
Many in the crowd began lining up early Monday for the chance to be part of the audience.
Its been a lifelong dream. Her coming to Texas and the State Fair -- you cant get no better than that, said Joy Alaman, 53, a minister from Arlington, who said she arrived at 6:30 a.m.
Tabitha Grimaldo, 25, of Dallas took her 2-year-old daughter, Yanis, to the taping.
When she gets older, Im going to be able to tell her, when youre 2, we took you to see the Oprah show.
Among the guests Monday were country star Martina McBride; Chicago interior designer Nate Berkus, a show regular; and actress Ali Wentworth, who was scheduled to perform with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
On Sunday, Winfrey toured the fair, sampling corny dogs, rides and the midway.
