ok...before I get to the explanation I'll answer the questions. Yes, I was being paid while learning to lasso. Yep, it's a great job. Yes someone just happened to have a lasso on hand, but you'll see why in my explanation. And yep, the chihuahua race was the cutest thing...my friends dog was racing. he didn't win, but it sure was fun watching them. also, thanks for thinking it's neat-o! it was really quite hard to learn.
so here's the scoop:
I am working at a display that will be traveling all over the US in the next year to promote Texas as a tourist destination. I'm not traveling with them, but just working in Dallas as it's the kickoff of the tour.
Having it in Dallas isn't as silly as it seems as this is the tour's first 'stop' and we've been primarily seeing media and VIP's thru so that they (media, dept of tourism, Governers wife, etc) could see what the event will be like in all the other cities where it will be set up at Festivals and major events.
That said, we've got the big dome which has a holographic singing cowboy who comes out and sings a couple of songs as if together at a campground. We've got a virtual reality kayak ride on the waterways of Texas...where you can see some of the great things to do water-wise in the various regions of the state. We've got 2 green screens set up, one for video on the beach and one for photo's with 7 different background images. And finally we have a Texas or Not photo trivia where you choose if the picture is a Texas image or not.
We've also got an Austin band called Vitera who are absolutely awesome as well as a Cowboy who does trick roping professionally who perform throughout the day.
Its designed to show people that Texas isn't all cowboys and rodeos. that there really is a lot of diversity in the state and that there are a gazillion reasons to visit here.
I love my state and I love all that Texas has to offer. I'm proud to say that I have visited and vacationed all over the state (the US and internationally too). I've spent time on the white sandy beaches of South Padre Island. I've hiked at the Palo Duro Canyons. I've camped in Big Bend National Park. I've tubed the Brazos & the Guadalupe. I've camped at Garner State Park in the Hill Country and spent a week (because thats just about how much time it takes) at Schlitterbahn. I also grew up in the Piney Woods of east Texas.
Texas has a lot to offer...a lot more than most people realize.
We're not all about steer, country music and ranches. It's a huge state with 7 major (and distinct) regions each boasting very unique and beautiful parks, destinations and attractions. Most people who've not visited the state believe we ALL carry guns and rope cattle. This just isn't true. Dallas is the 8th largest city in the US! it couldn't have gotten there if it were restricted to the stereotypical (and pretty outdated) idea of Texas and Texans.
Now don't get me wrong, the stereotype exists because all that did exist at one time. If you are looking for it, and know where to go, you can still find some of it today. But it's not widespread and it's not all we have to offer people.
... you mean 1 out of 5 people in CA don't have a lasso in the car or truck. I thought everyone was like us. 
