Typically, the State Fair of Texas sparks conversations about the latest fried food concoctions, football games and rides. This year, fairgoers are stuck on the price of a smoked turkey leg ($25), parking ($30) and admission (up to $29).
“Prices have definitely gone up across the board, especially for food and drinks,” Hector Alejandro Guerrero, a DFW-based content creator, said.
“Every year, people talk about how expensive the Fair is,” Guerrero said.
Guerrero made an Instagram reel about attending the Fair with both a $100 and $0 budget. On both trips, food was his biggest challenge and expense.
Compared to previous years, “the portions are smaller, and the prices are higher, so it adds up fast,” Guerrero said.
On his no-spend trip, Guerrero said he struggled to resist the tantalizing smell of a fresh Fletcher’s Corny Dog.
Guerrero soon became immersed in the Fair’s ambiance. Finding livestock shows and a local folklorico and dance group performance at the Mundo Latino exhibit offered a different experience.
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“I focused on the energy, the people and the free exhibits; I still had a great time,” Guerrero said. “It reminded me that the Fair is more than just spending…it’s about the atmosphere.”
Taylor Pulfer, the State Fair’s communications director, said that ultimately, the independent vendors set their own prices. The State Fair itself only sets the prices for parking and admission.
“The State Fair is a collection of hundreds of small businesses, our concessionaires, ride operators and game providers, who set their own pricing,” Pulfer said. “We provide feedback on their pricing, but it’s each business’s own decision how they choose to price their items.”
The Fair still offers an affordable family-oriented experience, Pulfer said.
With discounts and free activities, “we work hard to make sure there’s something for everyone, no matter their budget,” Pulfer said.
On “Feed the Need Wednesdays,” admission costs $7 with the donation of a canned food item to the North Texas Food Bank. “Thrifty Thursdays” also offer discounts on select concessions.
The State Fair offers more than 100 attractions, free of cost, annually. From music to livestock shows and magic performances in between, the Fair ensures people make memories without buying $25 turkey legs.
