Over 2.2 million people attended the 2021 State Fair of Texas, proving how much we all missed the 24-day long Fair after Covid caused its cancellation in 2020. After more than 700 days without the Fair, visitors thronged to Fair Park from all over, to celebrate their favorite traditions and create new ones.
“We are incredibly grateful that we played a part in reuniting friends and families for the time-honored tradition of the State Fair,” said Mitchell Glieber, State Fair of Texas president. “We’d also like to extend a hearty thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy the 2021 exhibition – your support helped us bring back thousands of job opportunities for the North Texas community, it provided our vendors with the income they rely on to keep their small businesses flourishing for years to come, in addition will allow the State Fair to continue fulfilling its nonprofit, mission-related initiatives.”
The State Fair of Texas brings together over 80 food and beverage concessionaires, almost 50 ride and game owners, and more than 100 exhibitors. These small business owners bring diverse and unique qualities to the Fair each year, and they rely on the income from the annual event. With the cancellation of the 2020 Fair, the vendors faced financial adversities, but returned stronger than ever to help produce a safe and successful 2021 State Fair of Texas.
State Fair Makes a Difference
Photo: State Fair of Texas
“This Fair has meant so much to us this year,” said Brent and Juan Reaves, owners of Smokey John’s BBQ. “Having no Fair last year cut the jobs of so many of our seasonal team members. It hurt them to lose those resources and because of that it hurt us as well. The return of the Fair not only means more opportunities for us but also for our team. Our business can’t survive without them – because of that we are so grateful to have had the 2021 Fair.”
As the largest fundraiser of the year, the 2021 State Fair of Texas makes a difference to the community and students across the state. More than 50,000 people enjoyed the return of 10 performances of the State Fair of Texas Rodeo. It was presented by United Ag & Turf in the historic Woodbridge Home Solutions Coliseum, home of the Original National Finals Rodeo.
More than 1,000 COVID-19 shots were administered to fairgoers by Dallas County Health Department. More than 300 folks volunteered supporting the Feed the Need promotion raising nearly 200,000 pounds of canned food items at the State Fair gates, which equates to more than 236,000 meals for the North Texas Food Bank to serve the community with this fall.
Texas Department of Agriculture
Photo: State Fair of Texas
More than 50,000 first responders and their families visited the Fair over 24 days, utilizing the special discount offer in gratitude of their service. Over 21,000 members of the military and their families visited the Fair over 24 days, utilizing the special discount offer in gratitude of their service.
“The Texas Department of Agriculture is proud it could be a part of helping businesses of Texas get back to selling their products after a tough 18 months of event cancellations and supply chain issues,” said Sid Miller, Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture. “The GO TEXAN Pavilion highlights Texas companies and ag industry partners to fairgoers and the past 24 days have flown by with thousands of people coming through the Pavilion and purchasing Texas made products. If you missed us this year shop us online at shop.gotexan.org, but don’t worry we’ll be back again next year!”
Photo: Holt photo of Big Tex Choice Awards Finalist Fried I-35 Road Trip
The 2022 State Fair of Texas will run September 30 through October 23 in Fair Park. Big Tex and everyone at the Fair will be eagerly waiting to say “Howdy Folks” again next year.
The State Fair of Texas has celebrated all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment. The State Fair of Texas is a nonprofit organization whose proceeds help preserve and improve Fair Park. They also underwrite museums, community initiatives, and scholarship programs to support students throughout Texas pursue higher education. Visit BigTex.com for more information.
