Writer: Jerrica DuBois
2 min read October 2022 — One of the biggest annual events in the Lone Star State, in attendance and in revenue, is winding down this week. Each year the State Fair of Texas attracts millions of patrons to the metroplex. But the fair is more than just family, fun and food, as it is also a significant economic driver for Fair Park, Dallas and the state as a whole.
After a pause in 2020 due to COVID, last year’s 2021 event saw 2.2 million attendees. Although that was down from previous years, Mitchell Glieber, president of the State Fair of Texas, still counts 2021 as a success.
“The per capita spending for the 2021 fair was up significantly from previous years,” Glieber told Invest:. “There was growth in terms of how we generated revenue from the fair even though attendance was down from the previous fair. We had a great year because there was a lot of pent-up demand from the cancellation year and a lot of disposable income that people were ready to spend.”
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the net proceeds from the State Fair are used to preserve and improve Fair Park, underwrite museums, community initiatives, and scholarship programs to support Texas students pursuing higher education. Funds are also used to improve State Fair operations. The 2021 fair also counted 200,000 pounds of canned food items collected for the North Texas Food Bank, $1 million in new scholarships awarded to more than 200 students, and the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction raised a record $1.7 million for youth livestock exhibitors. That record didn’t last long though as this year’s Livestock Auction came in at $1.9 million, shattering the previous State Fair record.
Every year the State Fair also honors and celebrates those who give back to the community with the annual Juanita Craft Humanitarian Awards. Juanita Craft was a civil rights activist and helped integrate many Dallas establishments, including the State Fair of Texas. In honor of her efforts, three awards are bestowed on members of the community who continue the fight for positive change. This year, the honorees were:
- Legacy Award: Larry James, CEO Emeritus of CitySquare
- Visionary Award: Rev. Yvette Blair-Lavallais, the first female senior pastor at First Christian Methodist Church
- Catalyst Award: Janie Cisneros, head of the neighborhood association Singleton United/ Singleton Unidos
As the 2022 fair heads to its close, with the last day being Oct. 23rd, there are still plenty of attractions for the family to enjoy. On the main music stage, visitors can still catch Girl Named Tom, Season 21 winners of The Voice, on Friday. The United Professional Rodeo Association competition will also be running through Saturday. Then there’s food, and lots of it. With ‘Treats of Texas’ being this year’s theme, there are several new offerings that may just satisfy the pickiest of palettes, including Doh-Muffs, Bayou Bowls, Texas Twosomes and Deep Fried Honey.
“There is something for everyone at any age at the State Fair of Texas,” Glieber said “The diversity of attendees is like nowhere else. It’s the one place that brings people together from all walks of life to celebrate Texas.”
