Dallas, October 6, 2025
News Summary
Many families are opting out of the State Fair of Texas this year due to financial pressures. With ticket prices and overall costs, including food and rides, on the rise, affordability is a significant concern for many. Although the fair organizers claim attendance patterns are consistent with previous years, there are visible signs of reduced turnout, particularly during the opening weekend. Efforts to alleviate costs, such as low transit options and free attractions, are overshadowed by ongoing inflation and rising prices, prompting discussions about the event’s accessibility.
Dallas
Attendance Concerns and Financial Strain
Many families report skipping the State Fair of Texas this year due to affordability concerns. The reduced turnout has been most visible during opening weekend and early days, prompting questions from attendees and vendors about overall attendance patterns.
Victor Carr found online tickets for $12, totaling $48 for his family of four. That lower ticket price drew attention as families weigh entry savings against other fair costs.
Some families feel that even with discounts, the overall costs (food, rides) are too high for their budgets. Estimates show costs for a family of four can range from $150 to over $350, factoring in admission, parking, rides, and food. Adult ticket prices for regular entry are noted as ranging from $15 to $25, while parking is listed at approximately $30.
Fair Response and Attendance Patterns
Fair spokesperson Karissa Condoianis claims attendance is fine and that early days are typically slow. Fair communications emphasize that slower attendance in the first days is consistent with prior years and that crowds usually pick up later in the run.
Probst, a vendor, noted that the first ten days usually yield low business, with attendance ramping up later in the event. Historical patterns reinforce that historically, the fair does not see high attendance until about the second Saturday.
Jared Guynes, a longtime fair attendee, noted fewer crowds during opening weekend, creating concern about attendance. Guynes’s posts on social media sparked discussions about economic constraints preventing families from attending.
Costs, Discounts and Alternatives
The DART train offers a low-cost transportation option, with day passes costing $6 per person. For families trying to limit expenses, transit passes can reduce the cost of travel to and from the fairgrounds.
The fair has over 100 activities included with admission, such as shows and live music. Many of these activities are included with the admission price, and fair organizers point to a range of included entertainment as part of the value proposition.
Families can bring their food and water to the fair, with many free attractions available. Fair materials list permitted items and note that bringing food and water is an option used by some visitors to manage spending.
Popular food items at the fair range from $7 to over $20 each. Food and attraction price increases have been cited as pressure points for household budgets.
Taylor Pulfer, Director of Communications for the fair, recognized the impact of inflation on food and attraction prices. Fair communications have acknowledged that higher costs across categories affect visitor decisions.
Philanthropy and Final Attendance
The fair contributed more than $19.5 million to philanthropic efforts in the previous year. Organizers cite philanthropic contributions as a major part of the fair’s community role and note that final attendance data will inform year-end reporting.
Final attendance numbers for this year’s fair will be released after the event concludes. Until then, daily and weekend fluctuations will be interpreted in context of historical attendance trends and promotional schedules.
What Attendees and Vendors Are Saying (Summaries)
Some families and regular attendees describe price-sensitive decisions, using discounts when available or choosing to skip the event entirely. Vendors describe a familiar slow start followed by stronger business later in the fair. Fair officials point to included activities, philanthropic outcomes, and transit options as elements that support continued attendance.
FAQ
Are families skipping the fair because of cost?
Many families report skipping the State Fair of Texas this year due to affordability concerns.
What ticket examples have been reported?
Victor Carr found online tickets for $12, totaling $48 for his family of four.
Do families still find the fair expensive despite discounts?
Some families feel that even with discounts, the overall costs (food, rides) are too high for their budgets.
What did the fair spokesperson say about attendance?
Fair spokesperson Karissa Condoianis claims attendance is fine and that early days are typically slow.
Is there a low-cost transit option?
The DART train offers a low-cost transportation option, with day passes costing $6 per person.
How many activities are included with admission?
The fair has over 100 activities included with admission, such as shows and live music.
How much did the fair give to charity last year?
The fair contributed more than $19.5 million to philanthropic efforts in the previous year.
Were crowds smaller at opening?
Jared Guynes, a longtime fair attendee, noted fewer crowds during opening weekend, creating concern about attendance.
Did social media discussions follow?
Guynes’s posts on social media sparked discussions about economic constraints preventing families from attending.
Has the fair acknowledged higher prices?
Taylor Pulfer, Director of Communications for the fair, recognized the impact of inflation on food and attraction prices.
Can families bring food?
Families can bring their food and water to the fair, with many free attractions available.
How much might a family spend?
Costs for a family of four can range from $150 to over $350, factoring in admission, parking, rides, and food.
What are ticket and parking prices?
Adult ticket prices range from $15 to $25, while parking is listed at approximately $30.
How much are food items?
Popular food items at the fair range from $7 to over $20 each.
What do vendors say about early business?
Probst, a vendor, noted that the first ten days usually yield low business, with attendance ramping up later in the event.
When does attendance usually peak?
Historically, the fair does not see high attendance until about the second Saturday.
When will final numbers be available?
Final attendance numbers for this year’s fair will be released after the event concludes.
Key Features
Feature | Detail |
---|---|
Reported family decision | Many families report skipping the State Fair of Texas this year due to affordability concerns. |
Example ticket purchase | Victor Carr found online tickets for $12, totaling $48 for his family of four. |
Transit option | The DART train offers a low-cost transportation option, with day passes costing $6 per person. |
Included activities | The fair has over 100 activities included with admission, such as shows and live music. |
Philanthropic contribution | The fair contributed more than $19.5 million to philanthropic efforts in the previous year. |
Family cost range | Costs for a family of four can range from $150 to over $350, factoring in admission, parking, rides, and food. |
Ticket and parking prices | Adult ticket prices range from $15 to $25, while parking is listed at approximately $30. |
Food price range | Popular food items at the fair range from $7 to over $20 each. |
Attendance timing | Historically, the fair does not see high attendance until about the second Saturday. |
Final attendance reporting | Final attendance numbers for this year’s fair will be released after the event concludes. |
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Additional Resources
- CBS News: Families Say Cost is Keeping Them from State Fair of Texas
- WFAA: Viral Posts Spark Debate Over State Fair of Texas Attendance Costs
- Texas Monthly: Exploring Food at the State Fair
- Encyclopedia Britannica: State Fair of Texas
- Vegnews: 139 Years of State Fair of Texas: First Vegan Vendor
- Google Search: State Fair of Texas

Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.