Is the state fair actually overpriced or are people just doing it wrong?

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Specific-Remove-723@reddit

It’s incredibly overpriced, not worth it.

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The fair is not only overpriced but it’s also gross and un-fun. It’s full of the worst Dallas has to offer. The people are ghetto, there’s violence every year. The vendors are awful. Grifters aggressively selling useless shit. There’s smelly nasty animals for some reason. The only reason people go is because they’re from here and everything here is shit so they don’t know better. Save your time and money. And actually lose the girlfriend too and just avoid Dallas and save yourself.

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NativeTxn7@reddit

Highly overrated. It's always still extremely warm (almost always in the 80s, sometimes hitting the 90s, if you're there during the day) and it's just not fun walking around in the heat, eating fried food, sugary stuff, and all of that.

Rides are meh, Midway is meh, car show is meh, all the buildings and tents with crap to buy are meh.

We used to go every year because it was "tradition" but after a while the hassle of getting down there, parking if you drove, incurring the cost for tickets to buy the overpriced everything, coupled with the heat and just feeling beat toward the end after trying a bunch of food and stuff just got to be not remotely worth it, for us.

That said, there are people who love going, and I say good on them.

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Objective-Tip-1226@reddit

I moved here in 2014 and have been one time.

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Worldly_Cattle_3111@reddit

It’s overpriced

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MarieOnThree@reddit

Yes it’s overpriced but yes you can plan to approach it better. I had a goal to spend less than $100 and only spent $80 which included my ticket, parking and I was able to get a few food options, drinks and a dessert and we watched a bunch of the free shows. I don’t always get the first food options I see because you may find a better deal the more you walk around. I don’t play games or rides so that wasn’t in my budget.

If you only want to eat I’d suggest going to Foodieland which is actually this weekend.

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Francie1966@reddit

I have lived in the DFW area since 1987. I have never attended the State Fair.

Too expensive, too many people.

I have friends who love it but they don't attend more than once.

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whateverforever1990@reddit

Look. It’s overpriced BUT you can do it right. I go multiple times every year, here’s what I have learned! Take the dart train, eliminates parking fee. There are multiple days for discounted entry, days for discounted rides and days for discounted food. The fair lasts 2+ weeks, if you go towards the beginning of that time period, there are a lot of vendors giving away free merch.. sunnies, tote bags, pins, hats, etc… towards the end of the fair, those vendors are gone. Jeep, Dodge and Chevy all had events this past year that were pretty fun and free! Tickets can also be used year to year if you have any left over. Weekends are busier. Go in the morning to avoid the heat and get goodies. Go at night for cooler temps + evening parade and fireworks.

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sirensgotme@reddit

It is expensive but you can budget. I went last year. But, you know the issues the Houston Rodeo was having? Yeah, there's a lot of that happening there. Just something to keep in mind if you plan to bring the kids.

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ShimeUnter@reddit

I think if you want to try and bunch of food and ride things it is really expensive but if you're ok walking around, getting a corn dog and going to the shows it's not bad, especially on the discount days.

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gruuvey@reddit

$30 parking $19 entry $12 corn dog $6 lemonade

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kabob21@reddit

None of my friends and I drive to the Fair. Just park at a DART lot (Mockingbird Station is central in Dallas with a huge lot) and take a train straight to Fair Park.

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Soggy-Bedroom-3673@reddit

Note that the Mockingbird Station DART lot is under heavy construction right now -- looks like they're putting in a new high rise building on the side nearest the apartment complex.

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CharlieTeller@reddit

Yeah but people smell bad, talk loud, and don’t understand the concept of personal space. Paying for parking is worth

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LittleTXBigAZ@reddit

Must suck to be that fragile

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CharlieTeller@reddit

Hating you makes me fragile? Sorry I'm free to dislike people if I like.

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LittleTXBigAZ@reddit

You're going to have a hard time functioning in society if you can't stand to be around a situation as mundane as public transit.

And lol that you took your comment down for getting too many fake internet points taken away. You really are fragile.

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CharlieTeller@reddit

You seem really bothered. I kept getting notifications on my phone. It was nice to turn it off. I'll do the same here and turn off responses. Have a good one homie.

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5yrup@reddit

Buddy, you're going to the fair. It's crowded with people and even livestock. If you can't handle the train how can you handle the fair?

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CharlieTeller@reddit

There’s a difference in not handling it and not liking it. The fair is outside. Not a confined sweat box of body odor.

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TheGreatIAMa@reddit

I mean, public transportation has all types. NY subway is WAAAAY worse and it's still AMAZING. Barcelonas system doesn't have as much stank, but you'll also have your personal items yoinked if you're not aware. Dart is cool.

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Emergency-Fortune824@reddit

I can’t assure you you don’t want to fuck with parking down there, especially if you’re going on a weekend like the red river rivalry.

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crooke86@reddit

DART is fine, you're just describing the fair itself.

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CharlieTeller@reddit

Last time I took the DART, I had a man taking a shit on a seat. Another time I had some dude chasing women with a knife off the dart, tried taking it to the fair and ended up with an entire basketball team of adult women screaming.

I get that's maybe some one offs, but still. I prefer my car these days. But thankfully I live in a city with good public transit now, not Dallas.

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boning_my_granny@reddit

The piss off to your own city’s sub

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Unlucky-Watercress30@reddit

Seriously. Conditions on the trains are usually no worse than the conditions at the fair, the only difference is that the trains (sometimes) have AC

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SimpleVegetable5715@reddit

You would hate the lines at the fair then anyway.

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starsfan26@reddit

Same as a sporting event or concert, except those will cost you more than $19 and only last 3 hours.

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guitar_vigilante@reddit

Take the DART?

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thefinalgoat@reddit

Holy shit.

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nerdyguytx@reddit

Excepts its hot with limited shade and seating, so walking around isn’t exactly enjoyable.

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valiantdistraction@reddit

You have to plan your day. Do the outdoor parts in the morning and evening. Spend 11 am to 3 pm or so inside the buildings.

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Geoffrey-Jellineck@reddit

There are plenty of indoor things to do and get relief from the heat.

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NothingButTheTea@reddit

It was very cool last year; I know I was there twice a week or so.

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Synthline109@reddit

It is absurdly overpriced

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dfwagent84@reddit

I went a few years ago and was flabbergasted at the grift. The "magic money" which you pay a fee to buy plus the gouging? Fuck you. Ill never be back.

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veengrd@reddit

Family of 4 going on the Ferris wheel? That’s about $50 for a short ride.

Want a turkey leg? That’s $25. It’s ridiculous.

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Final_Prune3903@reddit

It’s more than that! I think it was $16 or $18 per person last year. So that’s

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Ohheyimryan@reddit

You can't get a unlimited rides bracelet?

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TheSpivack@reddit

Nope. I took my son two years ago. He loved the rides. I ended up spending more to ride the rides at the fair than I did when we went to six flags WITH the fast pass. It's insane how expensive it is.

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Dismal_Ad_4000@reddit

The Denton one hit me hard too, was not expecting those prices at all. I think these fairs just know people will pay whatever because it's "tradition" or whatever

State fair is even worse though, like you can easily drop 80-100 bucks just walking around for few hours. Your girlfriend has point about tradition thing but man, every year is rough on wallet

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soggyballsack@reddit

80-100? That was back in like 1995. I went 6 years ago with kids and it cost me around $400 per child to have a good time.

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AnastasiaNo70@reddit

We went to the Hunt County Fair in Greenville and still managed to spend $200 and that was a SMALL county fair.

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BikerCow@reddit

I buy a pass, come and go to see different events and shows, and never park in their lots. I’ve been, at least once, every year of my life plus in utero. I eat a couple of traditional things ( belgian waffle and a corny dog), buy a couple of traditional things ( fudge and lemon roasted almonds) and I bring a water bottle. Yes, it can be expensive but there are lots of free exhibits and shows, and often great music and a parade and fireworks every night. I look at the schedule ahead of time and see what bands are playing, check showtimes on the different stages and decide what things I want to see and do. There are discount days where you can get in really cheap or free, usually by bringing Dr Pepper cans or food items for the Food Bank, and discount tickets can be purchased ahead of time. Not everyone goes to the fair, but I always do. Last year I volunteered at the AgriLife booth and had a blast.

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upperdeckerdad@reddit

Dart rail: $4 Tues/Thurs admission: $12 Corny dog (fletcher’s): $8 Livestock show: free Car show: free People watching: free Picture with Big Tex: priceless Total: $ $24

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KickItInternational8@reddit

Dog show! Pig races! Free

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JayScramble@reddit

Dart is the way to go 100%

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BlackWhiteCoke@reddit

Just not on Texas / OU Weekend. What a nightmare leaving

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mason123z@reddit

Paradoxically being at the fair during the game is the best time to be there on the weekend

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ChallengeTop423@reddit

Don't forget the Seeing Butter Sculpture. Free free free baby

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mPisi@reddit

The Arts & Crafts & Cooking building is always a great break from the heat, and so many great exhibits!

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fueledbytisane@reddit

It's my favorite part every year! I love seeing all the creativity and talent.

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Horns273@reddit

dart is $6 all day pass

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PhoenixAquarium@reddit

I agree. This is the way to go. I did spend a little under $100 but that was because I was spending money on food finalists.

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meleant@reddit

This is how I have done it for years and everyone else in family also approaches the Fair in this low cost manner.

Watch Mighty Mike lift heavy things, listen to bands at the various stages, Folkorico dancing in the Hall of State, light show at the Esplanade, and the parade. All these things are free and more engaging to me than the Midway or rides.

The bird show was cancelled in the last year or two, but that was always beyond excellent and free.

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Delicious_Hand527@reddit

Skip the corndog and get the free ice cream in the dairy building. Save yourself $8 right there, or actually $40 because all those prices were per person. Fletcher's corn dogs are exactly 10% better than Sonic.

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highesttiptoes@reddit

The Dodge Ram experience is also free and the best advertising gimmick that’s ever been at the fair. They drive you around a dirt track and get all 4 wheels off the ground. You have to sign your life away to get in the car, but it’s worth it.

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ceciladam9091@reddit

They still do the raptor show? That used to be free. You're doing it right, I'm from the midwest, I enjoy the farm implements, as well as your suggestions

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DKE3522@reddit

They quit doing it at the State Fair but we saw them at Northaven gardens (nursery) a couple of weeks ago and they had a show it was great and we got to talk to the couple that runs it.

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9bikes@reddit

>the raptor show? That used to be free

It was there last year and still free. I hope they're back.

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ceciladam9091@reddit

I haven't been in a while, glad to know it was still going last year, it's quite cool

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anyoutlookuser@reddit

This. There are ways to do this on the cheap. But it is very easy to blow a substantial amount of money if you’re riding stuff or eating all the junk fairly food.

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MrNastyOne@reddit

The car show is worthless. It's like going to any domestic automaker's showroom.

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arlenroy@reddit

Its a shame too, at one time that was a selling point for admission, it wasn't like concept cars or Sema but various production models they weren't available to the public yet. Vendors had goodie bags with little dodads and trinkets, I think a few even had shirts and hats you could purchase, last time I went there wasn't even vendors inside the halls. It was just new cars from a few companies parked in groups, not even spruced up with lights or signage, just the window sticker. Depressing.

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5yrup@reddit

It's like going to all the showrooms in just two buildings instead of having to drive all around town. You're also not going to get hounded by salespeople the whole time.

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MyDentistIsACat@reddit

If you have small children it’s great. Mine love looking at the cars and climbing in and pretending they’re driving. I love it because it’s usually highly air conditioned.

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TexasShiv@reddit

Ride public transport

Go by yourself on a weekday.

Have a single corn dog.

PrObLeM SolVed

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Final_Prune3903@reddit

My sister and I spent about $120 each. The only paid activity we did was the Ferris wheel because it was on my bucket list. I won free fair tickets through a raffle at work so that doesn’t include ticket fees, and I’m also not including price of parking but it was in there too. We shared food all day so that we could try more things and at no point was either of us truly full. We each had 1 corn dog and 1 dole whip, then split fries, the pretzel bread with brisket and cheese, Mac and cheese bites, key lime pie bites. Plus several waters each. We were there from 10 am to 6 pm. It sounds like a lot of food, but splitting most of it meant we often only got a couple of bites of each thing because portions are small. There were a lot of things we wanted to try but didn’t get because we couldn’t justify $18 per item. We could’ve spent less had we chosen cheap food items but part of why we wanted to go was to try the fun stuff. Most of the food was kinda MEH. Honestly the stuffed pretzel bread and the key lime pie bombs were the best part. Corndog and Mac and cheese bites were just OK.

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No_Locksmith9690@reddit

Thursdays are Senior Days and they used to be free. I think they charge about $5 now. Rides have been overpriced for a long time. Food is absurd. I road the rail because parking is crazy as well.

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fueledbytisane@reddit

I guess it all depends on what you want to get out of the fair. If you're going primarily for food and rides, it's going to be expensive. If you are content with walking around and taking in the exhibits and shows without sampling the fair food and rides, you'll spend a lot less.

My family usually spends less than $50 on everything. We get free tickets with our Discovery Gardens membership, so that's one expense taken out of the equation. We ride the DART to the fair to save money. $15 for 2 adults and 1 kid. We pack sandwiches for lunch and refillable water bottles for everyone. We hit up the Go Texan pavilion for free samples and snacks, take in plenty of shows, check out the pig races, the arts and crafts pavilion, the petting zoo, go through the Discovery Gardens (again, membership makes that free). The adults may get a beer at the Karbach beer garden. We usually get one or two food items that all of us are really interested in trying and split it between the the three of us. Makes for a pretty fun day!

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malwarefirewall@reddit

Is it expenaive YES. Is it affordable with a budget YES.

Its overpriced but still affordable. You dont have to buy a $50 turkey leg or the $50 news, food competition featured food(s) to afford food. You also dont have to do every ride. You can also do a game or two, a few foods. And site see, and still have a good time. For adults it doesnt have to be yearly; but every few years or so its worth it to get out the house in the fall.

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Far_Upstairs9714@reddit

They're doing it wrong if all you do is spend money on games and rides. Go on the discount days and research. Make sure you don't pick a "Fair Day" for one of the school districts. That will be crowded. Some food stands are way less expensive for the same thing across the fairgrounds, for example.

There are TONS of free things to do and see at the fair. Test drive cars, creative arts building, cooking demos, car show with free rides, tons of shows, livestock races and exhibits.

Now the parking I can't help you with. Some people take the rail.

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Snobolski@reddit

Oak Farms booth used to have little milk cartons at a reasonable price.

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foppishmanabouttown@reddit

I was going to say everything you just did. The only thing I would add is to also research all the new foods you want to try and just split it with whoever you go with. Some food options can be expensive, but I heard they are lowering costs due to all the backlash. Also, there are a few places to get $4 beers if you aren't too good for Lone Star or Coors Banquet. And if you're spending $25 for a turkey leg, you might need to evaluate you path in life.I also have a parking hack, but I'm not sharing it here. Bottom line: go and don't listen to all the people bitching about it. They just don't get it.

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Unlucky-Watercress30@reddit

Rail is by far the best way to get to/from the fair. With all the traffic its faster, drops you off right at the front of Fair Park, and costs at most $6/person/day. Students (college, trade, and K-12), veterans, seniors, and those with disabilities can get reduced fares ($3/person/day), and kids 5 and under ride free with an adult. To get the reduced fare (if you qualify) takes a bit of preplanning but the reduction is valid for the entire rest of the year. You're also able to apply at the beginning of the year and just use it during state fair time. Overall, pretty decent way to save money unless its a really big family

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Snobolski@reddit

Go on a discount day to save on admission. Take Dart to save on parking. Catch all the free shows. Be smart about what you spend on food, rides, and midway games. And remember you can bring coupons from previous years and exchange them for this years’s so don’t get rid of unused coupons. (I think that’s still a rule)

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OtherBarracuda22@reddit

Overpriced but if you got extra spending money or start saving a state fair fund now it's totally worth it, maybe because I grew up here but I love going to the fair

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Expensive_Grape@reddit

Absolutely overpriced. I went with my family a couple years back for the first time in six years. The experience was so awful and expensive that right when we left, my brother made a joke that it would be another six years until we go again. He’s undoubtedly right.

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nerdyguytx@reddit

https://www.reddit.com/r/Dallas/s/ZNASDhxlYL

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thefinalgoat@reddit

For these prices I could go to Disneyland.

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heartstringcheese@reddit

I saw a comparison last year and you literally can go to Disney for these prices. And Disney is cleaner.

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thefinalgoat@reddit

Yeah legit these are Disneyland prices. Like it's the state fair ffs. Hell, it's a Dallas fair.

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qolace@reddit

"Fucked in the ass fridays" 💀

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TheDutchTexan@reddit

I was gone the moment I read that one...

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PlantFreak77@reddit

Gold mine

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Aggressive-Tiger-545@reddit

Born and raised and yep every year it's more and more $$$.

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zechaynes@reddit

Skill issue tbh.

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Saamari@reddit

It’s very pricey, parking is 30 and tickets are 20 anything other than cotton candy/funnel cake/corn dog is over $20

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Powerballs@reddit

It is both. If you show up hungry, buy every fried thing you see, and pay for every ride, it gets absurd fast. If you go for people watching, split food, use discount days, and treat it more like a long walk with snacks, it feels a lot more reasonable.

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kingarthur595@reddit

Stare fair sucks.

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Career-Acceptable@reddit

I hate going more than once every five years

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Trespeon@reddit

Insanely overpriced.

You can show up and get a single food item for you and your date and you will spend like $50.

Now imagine doing a few rides, grabbing a beverage because it’s hot. You go from like, $15 to 150 in the blink of an eye.

Now multiply that for families who bring their kids.

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amg214tx@reddit

Overpriced but manageable if you split everything. No reason to eat an entire fried Twinkie for oneself. Go with a group

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beardownforfinals@reddit

Fairs are just expensive, you can call it overpriced but it just is what it is. We usually go and get like two fun food items, do some small ride with our daughter, and then just walk around the free stuff.

If you can do a family event under $100, that’s well worth it!

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coke3993@reddit

My family goes every single year! Growing up we rarely did anything at the fair other than the free events. Everything else is definitely overpriced. You just have to really plan it out, and bring your own water bottle 😭

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Lotsapretty1@reddit

Overpriced

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ayearonsia@reddit

The fair has always been overpriced. Went one time in like 2005 and never went back. It's not even fun.

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guitar_vigilante@reddit

Yeah I went one time shortly after moving here and was very disappointed.

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slowthinker64@reddit

All fairs are overpriced but it’s a fine time and you can walk around and enjoy the festivities without getting any overpriced stuff or keeping spend to a minimum

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ProposalCalm8231@reddit

Money saver tip, get drinks and snacks at the ag food pavilion, and get 1-2 dollar drinks at the DAR house.

Go on saver days. Only get 1 must have trad and 1 new weird food, 1 ride or midway game.

This isn’t hard.

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TheDutchTexan@reddit

You honestly can't pay me to go. The negative press got to me before the prices did...

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Former_Swordfish646@reddit

It’s expensive. Kids want to play the carnival games but it’s 5 to 10 dollars to watch them throw a ball or a ring and the money is gone in 5 seconds. Son wanted to win a charlizard. I went away from the the carny game that wanted 10 dollars a try and bought it from someone selling the thing for 12 dollars. He’s a kid he doesn’t get it. I understand. To him it’s fun.

But I get no joy spending 100 dollars on carnival games.

Beyond that, entry price isn’t bad, there’s enough free stuff to walk around and do. Food is nuts but you can get by on 10 dollars as long as you get some basic stuff and don’t treat it like a restaraunt.

I kind of wish the rides were just included in the ticket price (they aren’t).

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nomadschomad@reddit

It's wildly expensive. I'm primary breadwinner for a household that really doesn't have to worry about money (mid/high 6-figures), and the last 2 years I've hesitated to take my kids because the prices are crazy.

Last year, we dialed it back but admission, lots of free stuff (shows, barns, arena, tractors, etc), lunch, dinner, treats for kids and 1 drink for adults, 1 game per kids, and 3-4 rides per kid still all came to >$500. With kids begging for more rides and games. Seriously, telling kids to pick 4-5 attractions sucks.

The year before, we just went ham and enjoyed and it was >$1,000.

Six flags with regular tickets is the same price as the low-key version of the fair BUT with UNLIMITED rides. And Six Flags with discount tickets/pass/bring-a-friend is quite a bit cheaper.

The friggin' ferris wheel alone is $80 for 5 of us. And the big skyscraper/slingshot/daredevil swing rides, which we skip, are $25-70 EACH.

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Delicious_Hand527@reddit

They opened a Fletchers Corny Dog store in Walmart a few years ago. They served the Fletchers Corny Dogs but still charged state fair prices for them. I think the build-out was longer than the place was open for.

If you really want Fletchers Corny dogs, they seasonally sell them at like Golden Chick or other fast-food restaurants.

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JayWo60@reddit

I go every year as a tradition. There are things we do that don't cost money. There are free shows and exhibits all over the place. We never ride rides and are very selective about the foods that we buy.

Because we go every year we keep our unused tickets they are accepted in later years. About 2020, the price per ticket went from 50 cents to a dollar. That was the biggest price jump in recent years.

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Educational_Pipe6752@reddit

Life Everywhere.. is overpriced

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Dense_Sun_6119@reddit

We’re talking about the state fair in April???

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Proper_Tangerine3431@reddit

If you’re minimalist about it, it’s not that bad especially on the discount days.

But you want to try a lot of different foods, and ride a lot of rides, you can very easily spend several $100.

Imo, not worth it.

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DecentPrintworks@reddit

Engagement bait account

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SpecialMud6084@reddit

Tbh there's enough free and low cost attractions (and a lot of ways of getting discounted admission) to have fun if those specific attractions appeal to you. But what really gets you is the food and drink. I'm talking $15 for a corn dog, $25 for a turkey leg and it is EASY to spend $50+ dollars a person just to fuel walking around fairgrounds in the heat. And there are definitely very expensive rides and attractions, most of which fortunately don't appeal to me anyway but if you're really in to the roller coasters or weird animal exhibits (or have kids who are) get ready for that, the big Ferris wheel is $20 per person last I checked (the smaller one is much more reasonable but still)

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aeroluv327@reddit

Yeah, I usually go with a couple of other people and we get maybe one or two of the finalists or winning foods to share. (Pro tip: you can actually bring in your own snacks and a soft-side cooler as long as it meets the bag size requirements.) I love the Funnel Cake Ale and Darn Good Corn, which aren't terribly expensive. You can find some pretty cheap basics in the indoor food court area.

We mostly watch the free shows and don't do rides. Some of them like to ride the big Ferris Wheel but I already don't like heights so it's not worth spending the money for me. Otherwise, the Midway really isn't our thing.

It's kind of like anything else, you can do it up big if you want to or you can do it pretty cheap. Everything is expensive now, not just the Fair.

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QuestionableProtip2@reddit

Wildly overpriced for what you get, insultingly so for even the most modest food offering. Six Flags shouldn’t be the affordable entertainment option when compared to the State Fair.

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ayearonsia@reddit

Also, I want to add that your girlfriend is annoying about the fair. I moved to DFW in 2003 and I just never understood the crackhead behavior behind needing to go to the fair. It's not even fun!! It's too crowded!! The food isn't even good!!! Bro if people like her just stopped for a year maybe they would bring the prices down

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boobdelight@reddit

I haven't been to the fair in 20 years

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hthroa@reddit

I would say if it’s your first time and you’re trying to do all the things, yes expect to pay out the ass for it. The rides are fun, the Ferris wheel is nice, the various foods to try vary from interesting (at worst) to “the best ___ I’ve had”. None are worth the artificial up charge that has not stopped growing.

Once you’ve spent way too much doing everything, you can definitely go back and do a cheap fair day on a budget. DART is cheap and full of normal people during the fair season. The “cheap” days are a nice break on your wallet. You can also do the free things and people watch. Splurge on one item that you really want. Don’t spend on the rides.

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Fiss@reddit

It’s so stupidly overpriced that I know you are AI for asking this

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libralady0123@reddit

Both

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subhawk737@reddit

Transplant here. Wife introduced me to the State Fair of Texas. Greatest thing ever. We know all the saving tricks - reduced rides on Tuesday, reduced menus on Wednesday, reduced games on Thursday. Attend 5 to 6 times every year for the last 27 years. With friends, with kids, with tons of tickets. (We live in close in proximity) Saved tickets year to year because they are currency.

It has absolutley escalated in price beyond inflation the last two years.

Attendance did not decrease for no reason.

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jillsvag@reddit

You go 5-6 times a year? The fair only lasts 6 weeks.

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subhawk737@reddit

We live about a mile from Fair Park and get season passes every year. We've been known to go just for lunch when we are craving a corny dog!

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Wyliecody@reddit

the state fair has always been expensive and recently went up. spending hundreds is not difficult. You can go and not eat or do anything other than the free exhibits and its way less. but part of the fair is the food and midway for most people.

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kiittea_@reddit

Thing is, it’s absolutely possible to not spend a ton of money (had a year I just meandered around the showtents with the cars and such), but most people want the “full experience” of novelty food, rides, games, etc. THATS where they getcha

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scalem0ss@reddit

The fact your GF think it’s a must yearly tradition says more about her then the state fair.

Yikes.

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Numerous_Change2883@reddit

Overly priced

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virgo_em@reddit

Sure it’s overpriced, but isn’t every amusement park/fair absurdly priced now?

Born and raised in Arlington, now live in Dallas, have been in the metroplex my entire life, never gone to the state fair. I’m really a rollercoaster person and a season pass to six flags has always seemed a more worthwhile investment for me.

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DFW_DADDY@reddit

As others haver stated, DART is the only way to go. Parking is crazy expensive and just adds the the stress, Riding the train is super easy. i've been attending the State Fair since I moved to Dallas in the early 90s. Grew up in Houston and didn't even know there was a State Fair of Texas, we have the Rodeo in Houston. You're best bet for the State Fair is to buy the season pass, go often and spend lightly each trip. We get one or two things to eat and share, stay a few hours and go home. We usually plan to attend at least 3 or 6 trips per season.

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Xenodad@reddit

Living in DFW I’ve taken the family to the fair off and on… but last time I went, kids had free tickets of entry from school. We forgot for a good while and found a weekend we could go. Was a holiday weekend… bought tickets to spend (you buy tickets then spend them for rides and food, you don’t just spend money at each station).

It was so crowded… STATE Fair clicked in my head. Holiday weekend, people from ALL over attended at the same time.

Was shoulder to shoulder shuffling everywhere, insane lines. Horrible.

Stood in the shortest line I could find to get the kids some kind of treat, then opted out of the park.

Took us 30 minutes, or more, to get out as fast as we can.

Gave the remaining tickets I purchased away to someone entering… “good luck!”

Won’t be going back any time soon.

Pick the right weekday and you may have a better experience. I remember enjoying the fair a couple decades ago, but nowadays… my kids will have more fun elsewhere for less money and crowds.

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Spare_Ad_9657@reddit

Why people go to it is a mystery to me. I’ve gone maybe twice in total and thought it was a complete waste.

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valiantdistraction@reddit

People are doing it wrong.

The MIDWAY is overpriced. Just set aside a certain amount of money for the Midway and don't go over it. $50 will last you maybe 10 minutes unless you get on the ferris wheel or carousel.

The food can also be overpriced. We bring our own water and snacks and just have lunch and maybe dinner at the fair and it's not bad. I don't want to stuff myself with 80 different kinds of fair food, personally.

There are shows every day throughout the fair, agricultural demonstrations, the livestock barns, for something like $5 the petting zoo which has things like wildebeest in addition to normal things like goats and pigs, etc.

I spent a full 12 hours at the fair this past year and spent $100-150 per person all in, ticket included. That's not cheap, but it's nowhere near the prices other people were reporting.

If all you want to do is play midway games and ride midway rides and eat food, then yes it will be expensive. But to me those are only a small part of the fair and not the main draw.

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xoxokaralee@reddit

I remember seeing a reel about how Disney was cheaper or comparable to our state fair.

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pic_N_mix@reddit

Most people do it wrong. Go with a group and you get to try one or two bites of everything. More than enough to get your fill. I usually go on the first day and price what the new foods are that I want to try and then make a spread sheet calculating how many portions I can get out of it and what the price per portion is.

Send it to my friends so they know how much they are roughly going to spend. They don’t have to partake in everything. So if you want a $20-$30 day you can make it happen. Typically around $30-$50 per person for an entire day of eating food though.

I will say, the prices are getting higher though. And when they changed from 50¢ to $1 per ticket but didn’t change the ticket prices on food, effectively doubling everything overnight, super sucked.

Source: I’ve gone every year since 2005

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Hotzz89@reddit

Haven’t gone yet in the 5 years I’ve been here because I see the prices and decide it’s not for me.

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zonedout4ever@reddit

You can do cheaply.

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SweaterPuppy69@reddit

I’ve lived in dfw for 20+ years and have been twice. It’s a good time but I see no need to go every year

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librarykerri@reddit

Have lived in DFW since 1983. Have been to the state fair three times (once was for work; the library does storytimes there). That's plenty for me.

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AHitmanANunLovers@reddit

It was starting to get borderline expensive to attend every year, and then the cost of coupons increased from $0.50 to $1.00, but then all the vendors adjusted their prices accord- I'm just kidding. Most of the vendors kept the same coupon values for all their foods, some even increased them. So the 8 coupon hot dog that used to cost $4.00 is now an 8 coupon hot dog that costs $8.00.

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Total-Pain783@reddit

It’s 100% overpriced.

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dsyzzurp@reddit

I’ve been here a few decades and went to the fair like 3 times. It’s always been overpriced.

It’s a fair. It’s people selling stuff.

Tbh the Dallas Farmer’s Market on Saturdays is better. If you’re looking for rides, then go to Six Flags.

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I_SmellFuckeryAfoot@reddit

ur girl is wrong

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KazumaWillKiryu@reddit

If, like my fat ass, you want to stuff your face with a bunch of different unhealthy things, then yes.

If, like my wife's fat ass, you want to purchase some cute souvenirs or win some toys, then yes.

For our fat asses, it's worth it.

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formernewsie@reddit

There is so much to do at the Fair without spending money! Pig races, dog stunt show are so cute! Music on every corner not just at night. I love looking at booth after booth of crafts, jewelry, leather goods that range from expensive to cheap souvenirs. The food is fun but if you have a bunch of kids you can take in your own food or just eat before you go! Rides are expensive but that’s just for teens.

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Flowkey_mma@reddit

Smh

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PomeloPepper@reddit

You can test drive cars and trucks on (lite) obstacle courses.

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sobersuburbanmom@reddit

I believed it was tradition and went from the time I was literally born until 2019. Now it’s just too expensive to justify going, I’m not going to spend vacation money on one day at the fair

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Resident-Surprise206@reddit

I’m not a local lived here for 6 years. I went the first 3 years. Conclusion it is definitely over priced the food especially.

It’s not even quality fried food its stuff a child could whip up, and tell you what they made up after throwing it in the fryer. Might as well be a school project.

Great place for people watching as all walks of life come to the state fair.

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AnastasiaNo70@reddit

It’s not an obligation!

It’s ABSURDLY overpriced.

I went to the fair every single year growing up. And a lot of years as an adult. I don’t bother anymore. Way too expensive.

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VelvetNumber@reddit

Both

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jape2116@reddit

I’m from the Midwest, and we used to go to multiple fairs a year for almost a decade as an adult I’ve been to a fair. As a kid I went to the fair. This is the first year we didn’t go because it was just crazy prices.

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PocketGddess@reddit

I go every single year, without exception. I even went to the “drive through” Fair during COVID, and had a blast.

It really depends on what YOU do at the Fair. Me? I’m eating a Fletcher’s corny dog and some of those fried chocolate covered strawberries on a stick, and maybe one or two new things spaced throughout the day. I go check out the livestock, look at the new cars, see the butter sculpture, examine all the crafts and quilts and photo contest winners, and see some of the shows.

Everything I do (aside from the food) is completely free. The only thing I buy is the new themed lapel pin for the year. I don’t ride the rides or play midway games, which is where you can really drop some serious cash.

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txman91@reddit

We went nearly every year growing up. During college I helped a buddy whose parents owned a concessions business at the OK State Fair. I’ve had zero desire to go ever since. Except the one year I was looking at buying a new truck and wanted to check out the car show.

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biggestbaddestmucus@reddit

I tried the Renfaire last year and thought it was a better version of the state fair. It has similar food but if u like fantasy you might find it more appealing. Theres jousting, archery spots, dueling stands, Meade, etc.

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thefinalgoat@reddit

Dude I’ve been here my whole life and I ain’t been since I was 12.

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sah___mei@reddit

I've been going my entire life and basically doing the same things each time. It's insanely overpriced now. Cost of everything has more than doubled in the last five years.

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BamaPhils@reddit

Use DART to avoid getting extorted for parking and take advantage of the free shows. Dog shows, cattle shows, birthing barn, car show, etc. You can also use the awards to guide what foods you may want to try with the money you saved not parking or paying for the insane ride cost

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liquidnight247@reddit

I have lived here for a while and have never gone to the fair. I don’t eat that kind of food, I don’t enjoy rides and hate large crowds. And yes it is overpriced. You can spend less by getting a cheaper ticket and not eating there.

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retrospects@reddit

Way overpriced

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Upstairs_Balance_464@reddit

It’s not overpriced so long as it is still crowded. It is still very crowded. So no. It is not overpriced.

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CatteNappe@reddit

The cost has been going up, up, up; so that's not a myth. There are ways to reduce the cost. Special deals on admission. Don't plan to eat/drink much; or budget for just the essential corn dog and a soda. Stay away from the midway games. The exhibits are free, so it that's the main reason for going there's minimal cost involved. However, that strategy might be deemed "not fun" by many fair fans.

As to going every year, for some people it is a tradition that must not be messed with. More so if they, or someone they are close to, is competing with a quilt, or photo, or jar of jam, or a sheep, etc. I go about once every 4-5 years because it doesn't change that much from year to year.

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misscpb@reddit

I’ve lived her my whole life, I only went when I was a kid. I have a kid now and still haven’t been able to take her lol. Maybe this year idk 🤷‍♀️

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cdjw73@reddit

I was born and raised in Dallas and grew up going every year. Since moving back a few years ago I still do. I get a teacher ticket for free, my partner and I drive and pay for parking usually in someone's yard 2 blocks away from the gate for $15. We pay for my partner's ticket or use a season pass buddy ticket from a family member that gets the season pass every year. We bring our refillable cups from a couple of years ago so soda refills are a cupon or 2 less. Usually we start off buying $60 worth of coupons for food and drinks. We also bring a flask of our own. We don't do rides and my favorite thing has always been all the animals and livestock shows so we hit up as many of those as possible. We also do the car show and then food and fiber for free samples and tastings. I will usually buy 1 or 2 things from a vendor for maybe $20 or less. Sometimes in the afternoon if we're wanting to eat more I might get another $30 worth of coupons. These days for 2 adults if you're a little ok with not getting everything you want and risking bringing your own booze I think you could do the fair for about $100-$120. However, as a child my parents always let me do rides and we would eat which I could see adding up extremely quickly. When I see how much rides cost these days I am very glad I don't have to include that in my budget. For a family with a child or children to have the kind of fair day I grew up having I think it is completely overpriced and unaffordable for many.

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Timely-Cry-8366@reddit

My coworker paid $18 for a turkey leg.

It’s gotten absurdly expensive. There’s a reason I haven’t bothered going since before Covid.

I get to hear all the stories from friends and coworkers who do go. It’s usually just complaining about how they could barely do anything because of the prices.

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pjackson0901@reddit

Very over priced!

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Kathw13@reddit

Yes.

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Good_Wealth_3105@reddit

We buy season passes as soon as theyre released which saves us money. When our oldest is in school, we usually just go for a few bites and to look around for lunch. On the days we take him we budget out about $200 for food, games, and rides and we stay about 6-8 hours. We love the fair. If you go multiple times, the season pass is worth it. You get coupons for games, free buddy passes, money off merch.

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Fartsandkisses@reddit

It’s expensive, but I think of it in terms of cost for entertainment value. I could spend $300 gambling at Choctaw with little personal value, or I could spend $300 at the fair for a full day of rides, games, corny dogs, beer, fried pizza, and a souvenir cup. I’m going to the fair over the casino every time.

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Large-Garden4833@reddit

I think it’s lame, but to be fair I’ve never done the rides maybe they are cool. It’s just a shit Ton of overpriced very unhealthy food

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tauzeta@reddit

Have you bought tickets at the fair before and bought things? It’s expensive af.

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whiteholewhite@reddit

I grew up in the Midwest and this state fair is a joke AND it’s stupidly overpriced. 1/10

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Emotional-Loss-9852@reddit

It is ridiculously expensive

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iwillsumday@reddit

My wife and I usually budget $200 for the fair. We don’t do the carnival games and small rides. We went through the funhouse a couple years ago but mostly we try to go on a day when there’s a musical act we like and spend most of our money on food and drinks.

Basically we get a lil’ drunk while we eat a all the typical fried fair foods and loaded Mac-n-cheese, then go check out all the new cars and walk through the market area with all the little booths and the guys selling jacuzzis

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Colonel_babyyy@reddit

We also budget about $100 a person. I want a few different foods, some drinks and then a few items. I never do the rides or games.

They used to do a thing called "celebrity chef kitchen" in the creative arts building where local chefs would come and do a 30 minute thing. Limited seating, but you could SIT, in air conditioning, get a free recipe, watch them make it, and then get a sample. They did 3-4 a day.

Last year they switched it up to one person doing about 3 a day with slight variations. Like say they had a different recipe for every time and they had three days of recipes for each time and would just cycle through them all.

Would highly recommend making an excel sheet of the different free things you like and their times (the upcoming list wont be out for quite some time). Also location. I sort by time, so that way no matter where I am, I can locate the time and see what's available that I might be interested in. Found thats better than just the guide.

But yeah... not cheap after tickets and parking. Unless you do the above on a discount day and take the dart! (I did that a few times over a decade ago and the trek back was sooooooo long i would have paid more than the parking price). It doable, just depends on intent.

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GodofAeons@reddit

This is the way.

We normally down a pre game shot or two before walking through too. But this is 100% the way to do it on the cheap

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North_Maybe1998@reddit

Overpriced and not worth it at this point. Only time I plan on going back is if my kids want to when they are older and even then I’m gonna tell them it’s a one time thing

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NothingButTheTea@reddit

It’s definitely overpriced, but it’s a great time and I love it.

AND You honestly don’t even need to spend that much money if you want to do it that way.

Most if not all the entertainment is free.

You can take in drinks and food - this is allowed. They usually don’t check your water bottles, so you can even sneak in alcohol and mixed drinks; then you just walk around and people watch. See the parade and fireworks show with just paying entry. Some free stuff too.

A funnel cake(with strawberries) and a corn dog which will be $20 or so is probabaly one of the few must buys for the fair, but most everything else is extra.

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oakleafwellness@reddit

I grew up going with my family every year, it was a tradition. But..myself and my three siblings had student tickets (free tickets) and my parents got in half price with a Dr Pepper can. We didn’t do any rides and ate a limited amount of food. Granted this was back in the 80s/90s. We spent maybe $20.

Once I turned 18, I never went again..until recently I looked into taking my own family and decided it wasn’t worth it.

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NephewHotTake@reddit

Depends on what you do, but yeah it’s pricey

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nickgomez@reddit

It can be expensive, but plan your day. Go during the week on a special. Share food

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Silent_Scientist_991@reddit

My wife and I have gone to The Fair on opening day for the last 20 years or so, and it's one of our favorite days of the year.

But it's pricey.

We have money so we never have to worry about expenses, but we've never had kids so it's always just been the two of us.

Going out there with a family who wants to eat, ride a ride or two, and purchase a few other goodies - you're gonna pay a few hundred bucks minimum.

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ScarHand69@reddit

The food is overpriced just like stadium food is overpriced. It’s not a compete rip off but it’s easy to drop $40-50 in no time just on food if you go/eat as a couple.

Midway games have been a ripoff for as long as they’ve been around.

My main gripe was with the rides. We’re a family of 4. TheLove Bug ride was 10 tickets ($10) per rider. It’d cost $40 for my entire family to ride a 60-90 second ride. A lot of the other rides were 8 tickets. That’d mean if my family wanted to ride 3-4 rides I’m spending $100-120 in no time. It might take a few hours or the whole day for my family to spend that much on food…but in the Midway you can spend that in 20 minutes.

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Emergency_Basket_851@reddit

I was a performer and got free tickets and still thought it was ludicrously overpriced.

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gdsc@reddit

I’m sorry is there somewhere in Dallas you can drive a Corvette, hang out with a juggler or strongman and see a giant butter sculpture for less than $100?

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ty944@reddit

Used to go just about every year until 2017-2018. If you feel like trying the unique food or going on any rides or anything yeah you’ll spend a lot on tickets.

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ironsheik84@reddit

I haven’t been in years and years, but my strategy is always that eat a heavy meal before I go, take the DART rail, I bring my own snacks, water/drinks, and I just attend the free shows and exhibits so it’s always cheap for me.

I don’t eat pork so that excludes me from a ton of the food I can try so I save money that way regardless ☹️☹️☹️

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Dangerous-Sale3243@reddit

It doesn’t make any sense. Not sure where all the money goes, maybe some rich guy’s pocket or into government coffers.

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themirroredtake@reddit

Definitely a tradition. I am born and raised in Dallas also, and I have fond memories as a child, my parents would take me every year. It’s not cheap, you definitely have to plan ahead.

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Then_Supermarket18@reddit

It is overpriced to do anything worth doing there

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mazzagoop@reddit

i like the fair quite a bit, definitely a nostalgic aspect but asides from that it is still fun, however for the price and hassle annually is pushing it big time

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bl1ndside@reddit

Family of 4 - easy $200 for tickets, food and a few rides.

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PlantFreak77@reddit

My fam of 2 adults and 3 kids try to go every year. I like to think we save $ by taking the train but that can eat up 45 minutes. If I didn’t live in Dallas we probably wouldn’t visit each year. I’d NEVER pay for parking. Once we parked at a friends’ house a lil over 1 mile from the fairgrounds, that was a lot! We love to see the animals (free) kids activities (free) and shows (free). We eat dinner before hand and everybody gets to buy 1 food item, typically corny dogs for all. We use the kids’ free tickets and I’m a teacher so I typically get 1 for free. Hubby pays full price. We spend between $75-$100 including train fare.

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dart22@reddit

A corndog is like $12. A soda is about $6. The faddish stuff is $15 or more.

I mean, expensive is relative, but the prices are about three times the norm.

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Mang9@reddit

There are free water refills on site. There are free days. The half price days are often smaller portions. I know a less than rich person who gets a season pass and knows all the fill up spots, like free dip and crackers at a stand, giveaway nights, etc. most people pretend VIP then act surprised when they overspend

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istorres@reddit

I just buy 2 season passes and let my friends and family borrow them when I don’t use them. They usually give me left over tickets. It’s what u make out of it. I stop at 7-11 and buy 2 big waters to take in and that’s like $5. I don’t try all that fried or expensive stuff. I stick to my normal foods and usually don’t spend more than $50 anytime I go. I still have $40 worth of tickets from last year ready to go

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oldnever@reddit

It used to be a yearly thing as kids get a “fair day” and would get in free you could bring a Dr Pepper can etc and be good with 100 bucks for tickets and probably still have some left over by the end of the night that you gave away. That was when I WAS a kid I’m a millennial. The food got more “creative” the beer got more “ intriguing” rows remained the same as well as the prices the fish don’t even last a day anymore so it has gotten more expensive while the experience has gone down and not worth the 20-40 dollars just to park or the traffic.

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