The folks at the great State Fair of Texas are still counting the money, but according to early estimates this year’s Fair set a sales record. It was the most successful run in the SFT’s 128-year history. Food and ride coupon sales topped an estimated $41 million. The previous record was $37.3 million in 2010. Final number are expected to be revealed later today.
Here are some other highlights:
The State Fair’s “It’s a Fair Deal” Wednesdays offered fairgoers $3 admission for bringing three cans of food on any Wednesday of the Fair. Combined with Ag Awareness Day, the State Fair gathered 242,001 pounds of food – all of which will be donated to the North Texas Food Bank. A record and an 18% increase from 2013.
The State Fair partnered with Canstruction®, a unique charity that hosts competitions showcasing colossal structures made entirely of full cans of food. Through its partnership with Canstruction, the State Fair collected a total of 159,213 cans, all of which will be donated to the North Texas Food Bank and Tarrant Area Food Bank.
For the first time in Fair food history, one of the Big Tex Choice Award winners sold out completely before the end of the Fair. The Original State Fair Brew, Funnel Cake Ale, winner of Most Creative at the 2014 Big Tex Choice Awards.
Well folks, it’s back to business as usual. I’m already work shopping my idea for next year’s Big Tex Choice Award. I’m going to served fried dough–a $10 bill wrapped in pastry and fried in coconut oil. Who’s hungry?
