Videos circulating online have sparked debate over whether the State Fair of Texas has seen a decline in its usual crowds this year. Some clips show empty walkways and short lines, leaving many wondering if the fair’s decades-long draw is starting to fade.
Locals have plenty of theories. Some point to skyrocketing prices, with parking reportedly hitting around $30 and food or rides costing nearly as much as a full day at an amusement park. Others say weekday timing is a factor, with videos taken during slower evening hours when most families are home, juggling homework and dinner.
Another concern among some fairgoers has been fear or uncertainty surrounding immigration enforcement activity, although others argue that the biggest deterrent remains the cost. Families who once treated the fair as a tradition now weigh whether the expense justifies the experience.
Still, longtime attendees suggest there are ways to make it affordable. Taking the DART Green Line, which drops riders right at the gate, eliminates parking fees and stress. Fair officials have noted that early days are typically slower, with weekends and special events bringing in larger crowds.
For now, it seems the State Fair of Texas isn’t dead—just caught between rising costs, shifting habits, and the nostalgia of what it used to be. Whether attendance rebounds may depend on how much Texans are willing to pay for a taste of fried fun and Big Tex’s familiar wave.
For more on this year’s State Fair of Texas, visit bigtex.com.
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