Doyle Rader
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This weekend brings the finale of the State Fair of Texas, and a commenter on the r/Dallas thread on Reddit kicked off a long discussion this week by posting the question, “Is the State Fair crazy expensive? Or is it just me?”
Well, RoyalRenn, as the experts on everything Dallas, let us help you here with some answers: Yes, a trip to the State of Texas can easily get pricey. (We don’t know you, so consult your doctor about your own mental health.)
But is the the fair crazy expensive?
Pardon us for getting all high-falutin’ here, but as Oscar Wilde said, “‘A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing.” We here at the Dallas Observer dig the fair and are widely known as being among the least cynical people in Dallas – plus, we get media passes – so we’re going to say the fair isn’t crazy expensive if you know how to be a budget-conscious fairgoer. But let’s take a peek at what other Redditors said. RoyalRenn got things rolling:
Team crazy expensive had plenty of supporters:
Well, that’s pretty much the nub of it, isn’t it? Your opinion about the price of the fair depends on what you value. Does a smoked turkey leg cost beaucoup $? You bet. But getting to feel like King Henry VIII while pigging out and coating my face (and neck and chest, honestly) in smokey grease in public where NO ONE IS judging me? Priceless. Others pointed out that the fair offers plenty of free attractions that you won’t find elsewhere:
Damn straight, Imadevonrexcat. What other entertainment venue includes awesome pig races in the price of admission? Not the Dallas Opera, that’s for damn sure. Sheep dog trials? The animal barn? I got to pet a freakin’ llama! A pig with testicles the size of rugby balls? Hey, people fly all the way to Egypt to see piles of rocks. Ginormous pig ‘nads are also wonders of the world, and they’re right here in town. I also once got to see Lucinda Williams in concert, which would rate even higher than pig races and nuts if not for the guy who talked over the entire show chatting up a woman who was clearly not into him, the douche.
Plenty of commenters offered loads of tips for saving money at the fair: ride DART, bring a soft-cooler with drinks and snacks, learn to be a real Dallasite and never, ever pay full price for admission. But ewynn2019 had the comment that warmed my pinko heart:
That’s right, the money you spend on entertainment and food at fair isn’t lining the pocket of some rich dude (looking your way, Jerry Jones). It’s supporting small entrepreneurs. Plus, last year the State Fair of Texas awarded 225 college scholarships totaling $1.3 million, and the fair collects leftover food from participating vendors and donates it to food pantries. Small business enterprises working hard to help fund education and feed the poor at no cost to the state, plus pig races. You can’t get any more Texan that that, RoyalRenn.
UPDATE, 4 P.M.: Karissa Condoianis, senior vice president for public relations for the fair, sent us an email after this story published offering more information about pricing at the fair and where the money goes. She noted:
“The State Fair has not increased the daily admission price in several years and operates on a pricing model that creates flexibility for our fairgoers, allowing them to take advantage of discounted admission offers depending on which day they attend the State Fair and which admission discount they choose, if any. State Fair admission can range anywhere from $5 to $25 depending on when you come and which discount you take advantage of.”
Also:
“The food and beverage stands and Midway operations are not run directly by the State Fair, which is where a lot of confusion can come from. These independent vendors run their own business, set their own prices, and the vendors’ employees are not State Fair employees. They work directly for that vendor.”
And finally:
“The State Fair of Texas is a not-for-profit organization with proceeds from our largest community program and largest fundraiser of the year – the annual State Fair of Texas event – helping to preserve and improve our home for the past 138 years and a National Historic Landmark, Fair Park; underwrite museums, community initiatives, and scholarship programs to support students throughout the Lone Star State pursuing higher education; and help improve State Fair operations to continue hosting a premiere community event for folks to come from all walks of life to enjoy a bit of Texas hospitality at the most Texan place on Earth. Through the success of the prior year’s State Fair, the State Fair of Texas was able to contribute nearly $15.8 million through philanthropic and Fair Park giving last year.”
