Weather May Have Influenced Tulsa State Fair Attendance

Anyone who attended the final day of the Tulsa State Fair had to deal with another afternoon of dreary, chilly weather, and they didn't have to navigate through the usual massive crowds.

[Daniel]

Wasn't this the same excuse the year after they evicted Bell's? And what was their excuse last year? A story was run saying that overall attendance was down by something like 9% and the next day, they came back and tried to say that attendance was up.
And that it had nothing to do with Bell's.

Sorry, Fair Board, but your lies do you no good. While the weather might have affected TWO days' attendance, the fair stretched over two weekends. Getting rid of Bell's, a Tulsa landmark for 50 years, was a bad move, and you refuse to admit it.

Hope you're enjoying not getting paid by Big Splash. And intoxicated fair workers employed by the Murphys. And how is that revenue-producing parking lot that used to be a paying tenant working out for you? What a joke. The fair used to be something to look forward to. Not now.

[JustaGirl]

I think the low numbers were not only because of the weather, but the economy as well. Who can afford a $10 turkey leg and $6 soda in today's economy? Who's going to throw a $5 bill on the table to not win the usual scam of the games? Not only all that, but with the fair being 1/2 the previous years size, why would we pay $10 to just walk in the gate? Bells being gone from the fair is a real disappointment. The low fair funds is a sign of today's economy. I noticed very few mexicans there as well. With work coming to a stand still in Tulsa construction, the mexicans are leaving, and not wasting thier money at the fair.

[Common Sense]

JustaGirl wrote:

I think the low numbers were not only because of the weather, but the economy as well. Who can afford a $10 turkey leg and $6 soda in today's economy? Who's going to throw a $5 bill on the table to not win the usual scam of the games? Not only all that, but with the fair being 1/2 the previous years size, why would we pay $10 to just walk in the gate? Bells being gone from the fair is a real disappointment. The low fair funds is a sign of today's economy. I noticed very few mexicans there as well. With work coming to a stand still in Tulsa construction, the mexicans are leaving, and not wasting thier money at the fair.

I couldn't agree more! My entire family didn't go this year, in fact I don't know of a single person who went this year. Everyone who I am reading that did go was deeply disappointed and some that have gone for decades I've read they won't be going back again.

I love that it was a disaster, proves that Kathy Taylor is a stupid idiot. She has ruined Tulsa folks.

I hope that this is one of the worst fairs ever and forces them and the new mayor to step in and take drastic action to make next years fair one for the history books!

[Common Sense]

Oh and did anyone notice that Channel 6 KOTV didn't put up anything, not a tent, booth, table, notta!

Your not bringing that up are you KOTV??

[Professional Pessimist]

Daniel wrote:

Wasn't this the same excuse the year after they evicted Bell's? And what was their excuse last year? A story was run saying that overall attendance was down by something like 9% and the next day, they came back and tried to say that attendance was up.
And that it had nothing to do with Bell's.
Sorry, Fair Board, but your lies do you no good. While the weather might have affected TWO days' attendance, the fair stretched over two weekends. Getting rid of Bell's, a Tulsa landmark for 50 years, was a bad move, and you refuse to admit it.
Hope you're enjoying not getting paid by Big Splash. And intoxicated fair workers employed by the Murphys. And how is that revenue-producing parking lot that used to be a paying tenant working out for you? What a joke. The fair used to be something to look forward to. Not now.

EXACTLY!

[Daniel]

Common Sense wrote:

<quoted text>
I love that it was a disaster, proves that Kathy Taylor is a stupid idiot. She has ruined Tulsa folks.
I hope that this is one of the worst fairs ever and forces them and the new mayor to step in and take drastic action to make next years fair one for the history books!

I hope you're not serious. The Mayor doesn't have anything to do with the fair. The Fair Board and County Commissioners are the ones that deal with the fair. The only thing any Mayor in Tulsa has done for the fair is attend. Nothing more.

Should this year's fair teach someone a lesson? Yes, but the County Commissioners and Fair Board, not the Mayor.

[Jimmie]

Really, Bell's did not pay their bills. When was the last time you were at Bell's? Years ago it was a fun place to go, but it had changed, it was just a place for gangs and thugs. Give it up, you think they were asked to leave for nothing, I repeat they did not pay and nothing is free

[Free Thinker]

I agree with Dan. Over the years, I noticed that my family usually migrated to Bells for the best entertainment and rides. Big splash was rammed through without the approval of the citizens. The place is trashy and doesn't pay its bills or obey safety inspection findings. Now the city has decided to make the fair its cash cow by annexing it for the sales tax. This is the City of Tulsa and Tulsa County governments at work. I guess the Bells family wasn't gresing the right wheels.

[snacks]

when are they going to realize, their prices are to high. It is ridiculous the way they charge for things. I spent one hour there, then left to go get some good food for a lot less. Probably will be my last trip ever.

[Daniel]

Jimmie wrote:

Really, Bell's did not pay their bills. When was the last time you were at Bell's? Years ago it was a fun place to go, but it had changed, it was just a place for gangs and thugs. Give it up, you think they were asked to leave for nothing, I repeat they did not pay and nothing is free

Bell's was the only reliable tenant at the fairgrounds. They did pay their bills, which is more than anyone can say about Big Splash. What was it, 2 or 3 years that they didn't pay a single dime of rent? They don't even make safety repairs directed by the State.

And after years of negotiating with the neighborhood, Bell's had finally won the right to construct a new roller coaster. They had been making improvements to the park. And just like that, the rug was pulled out from under them.

[LoveTulsa]

I went to the fair and loved it! We have gone for "decades" as someone here said, and there have been years I have enjoyed more and years I enjoyed less. We used to take our kids, and now we take our grandkids. We LOVED the Kids Building...all the things in there didn't used to be part of the fair, and it is great! FREE things for kids...once you get in the fair (we go on 2 for 1 day which was Tuesday this year) you can let the kids do crafts, watch a show, get free ice cream, play on the riding toys, play in the sand, color a mural, enter pie eating and cookie stacking and bubble gum blowing contests...ALL FOR FREE! You people who are so down on everything just don't know how to enjoy opportunities, and I feel sorry for you.(well, not really...I'm not wasting my time for that, I am too busy enjoying life!)

[Seriously]

It had NOTHING to do with the weather, but EVERYTHING to do with the prices. And in regards to the iced tea, I drink it year round, as well as many people do, I just refused to pay $5.00 for a 32oz glass of iced tea that was mostly ice. YES, the booth featured in this news report is the booth I went to get tea from and then walked away when I heard the price. However, the "Ribeye Steak Sandwich" booth had 20oz cups of tea for $1.00 the whole entire fair...it was wonderful and they were selling TONS of it. They are there every year and it's always $1.00.

[gonzo]

For all the party-poopers who missed the fair, it is your loss!Sure things go up a little but what has not?Been to you local grocer or Theater lately? That make ya think,Vern?By the way ,I ate your share of the Copper Kettle fudge!!! YUM-YUM

[Pete]

Yep the last 2 years they said it was the weather or the economy for the lower number of people there. They never say it might be the prices.

[james]

My Wife and me didnt go yo fair last year and we didnt go this year. Could not afford the gate fee to get in nor the parking fee.my wife is handicaped, has to ride in a wheelchair. So it makes it hard to get around at the fair. We always try to go during the week when not so many are there.

[Jason]

My wife and I wanted to go to the fair this year but could not afford it. I was forced to take a 25% pay cut last march and my wife was laid off in April. Maybe by next year the economy will improve and we will be able to attend.

[Reid]

I am glad some people have the money to waste on such things but for those who have lost their jobs, taken pay cuts, etc. we can barely pay our bills, the fair just wasn't ever an option for many Tulsans. Just like the expensive concert tickets for the BOK. Not one person I know went and it didn't have a thing to do with weather, Bell's or any of that. It's a real shame people are out buy a $5 hot dog when your neighbors are losing their homes and going hungry.

[Tjuan Taylor]

Yeah, it was the weather. Yeah. Uh-huh. Riggghhhhhttttttt. <sigh>

[Jackson Brown]

gonzo wrote:

For all the party-poopers who missed the fair, it is your loss!Sure things go up a little but what has not?Been to you local grocer or Theater lately? That make ya think,Vern?By the way ,I ate your share of the Copper Kettle fudge!!! YUM-YUM

BAD OL' PARTY POOPERS! In the land where fairy dust sprinkles on peoples' roofs and the yummy Kettle Fudge is what makes all good little boys and girls happy, everyone can go hippety-hopping down to the fair and play all day long in the bright, twinkly sunshine! But here in the real world, discretionary spending is harder and harder to come by, and prices going up "a little" is only sustainable to a certain point. That point has been passed. Last year, I did both the fair and OktoberFest. This year, it's OktoberFest only. So, Gonzo, have a twinkly, sparkly day full of rainbows and candy canes, and may all your days be circus days!

[say what]

gonzo wrote:

For all the party-poopers who missed the fair, it is your loss!Sure things go up a little but what has not?Been to you local grocer or Theater lately? That make ya think,Vern?By the way ,I ate your share of the Copper Kettle fudge!!! YUM-YUM

Spending money would be okay if there was something new to see or do. You can have all the fair fudge, because nothing beats home made. When I'm too lazy to bake, the Nut House on Rt66 is open all year and parking is FREE.