Back in the Dark Days, 2007-2009, officials at the State Fair of Texas could only hold their breath and wait for the recession to pass. Attendance at the annual event was down and those who came were reluctant to part with their hard-earned dollars.
Once the economy had stabilized, visitors returned with a vengeance, eager to slake their pent-up hunger for deep-fried….everything. That year, State Fair attendees bought $37.3 million in food and ride coupons.
And, using that barometer as a gauge of economic health, 2013 is a strong rival for the new record. Visiting the fair on its final day, I found the freeways around downtown jammed and the Midway full of happy people spending freely.
Fair organizers say part of the credit for this year’s success must go to the new Big Tex. Everyone wanted a picture with the big fellow. Expect some changes next year; the biggest complaint about the Big Tex replacement is that his boots are too tall.
Jim Ryan
