The State Fair of Texas went for over 700 days without filling Fair Park with fair fans, food fans, football fans, and animal lovers of all shapes and sizes. 2.2 Million attended this year's fair in one fashion or another, and below we will run down some of the more interesting numbers for you.

The State Fair organization is a 501c3 nonprofit and aims to support the community, both locally and statewide. The net proceeds each year are used to preserve and improve Fair Park; museums, community initiatives, and scholarship programs supporting students throughout the Lone Star State; and help improve State Fair operations. The annual State Fair of Texas is by far the organization’s largest fundraiser,  a successful 24-day run indeed.

The State Fair brings together a tremendous collection of small businesses, over 80 food and beverage concessionaires, nearly 50 ride and game owners, and more than 100 exhibitors – these businesses are the heart of the Fair.

The State Fair of Texas By-The-Numbers:

Here are some of the more notable numbers from the 2021 State Fair of Texas:

  • The State Fair welcomed more than 2.2 million fairgoers through the gates.
  • More than 1,000 COVID-19 shots were administered to fairgoers by Dallas County Health Department.
  • More than 300 folks volunteered for 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.
  • 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.
  • More than 21,000 members of the military and their families visited the Fair utilizing the special discount offer in to thank them for their service.
  • Approximately 520,000 Fletcher’s Corny Dogs were sold.
  • Nearly 1.84 million free admission tickets were given to students throughout North Texas. In addition, more than 270,000 teachers received a voucher for free admission.
  • Community members got crafty with nearly 10,000 entries in the Fair’s Creative Arts competitions. More than 5,200 folks took home ribbons celebrating their creativity this year.
  • With more than 9,000 exhibitors, the Fair’s livestock and agricultural events hosted a total of more than 16,000 livestock entries.
  • On Friday, October 1, the 73rd Annual Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction raised a record of more than $1.7 million for youth livestock exhibitors.
  • The Grand Champion Market Steer of the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction was sold to the Jim Prewitt Memorial Fund for $126,000.
  • More than 125,000 rides were taken on the iconic Texas Star Ferris wheel.
  • Ag Awareness Day gathered nearly 6,400 students and leaders representing 75 chapters of 4-H, FFA, and FCCLA to participate in the canned food drive, donating more than 28,000 pounds of food to the North Texas Food Bank.
  • More than 80,000 pounds of pure cane sugar was used to make State Fair Cotton Candy during the Fair.
  • More than 360,000 plush prizes, valued at more than $1 million were won on the State Fair Midway.
  • Returning strongman, Mighty Mike, bent 72 horseshoes and ripped 1,344 playing cards in half during his daily performances this year.
  • The Livestock Birthing Barn celebrated 54 animal births throughout the run of the Fair.
  • More than 130,000 fans were in attendance for the State Fair Classic and the AT&T Red River Showdown, at the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium during the Fair.
  • The Budweiser Clydesdales consumed around 9,600 pounds of hay during the 2021 Fair season.
  • More than 900 flags were placed on the memorial’s panels at the Texas Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial to honor those Texas veterans who sacrificed their lives during the Vietnam War.
  • Free concerts were once again held on the Chevrolet Main Stage, with Clay Walker, Black Pumas, La Energia Nortena, Grand Funk Railroad, Bill Engvall, and Charley Crockett drawing the largest crowds.
  • More than 14.5 million kernels of popcorn were popped at the Pioneer Kettle Corn stand owned by Gary Anderson.
  • More than 8,500 pieces of pyrotechnics were used during the nightly Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation fireworks show.
  • With approximately 90% of fairgoers visiting the Auto Show, the 2021 Texas Auto Show attracted more than 1.98 million fairgoers.
  • Twenty-four dogs found their forever homes through the Subaru exhibit, sponsored by DFW Rescue Me, at the Texas Auto Show. Additionally, two dogs were reunited with their owners, thanks to microchip tracking.
  • New concessionaire, Mac Loaded, has sold more than 5,500 bowls of mac and cheese, using more than 2,000 pounds of brisket and 2,900 pounds of noodles.
  • In 2021, the Fair awarded more than $1 million in new college scholarships to more than 200 students throughout the Lone Star State.
Big Tex - State Fair of Texas
Big Tex - State Fair of Texas
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We just got word from Big Tex, he says;

"Ya'll come back again next year, y'hear!"


 

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