Garland is putting itself on the map, with a hat even bigger than Big Tex’s.
On September 27 at 12 p.m., the City of Garland will reveal its newest landmark: The Big Hat, a 20-foot-wide, Texas-sized installation commemorating the city’s status as the Cowboy Hat Capital of Texas. The installation will now be the largest hat in Texas.
The huge sculpture, designed and built by Mello Designs and Signs, will be installed in the middle of Garland’s Downtown Square, providing a quirky, Instagram-worthy photo stop that celebrates both community pride and Garland’s hat-making tradition.
Since 1938, Garland has been home to some of the world’s most iconic cowboy hat makers, including Resistol and Stetson, which are worn by celebrities, presidents, and music icons alike. That legacy continues today, with three active hat makers in the city.
The official unveiling will include a Ribbon Cutting Salute, as well as the debut of a companion exhibit, Hats Off to Garland, created by Heritage Crossing and the Garland Landmark Society. The exhibit includes artifacts, photographs, and stories that emphasize Garland’s historical significance in establishing cowboy culture.
