2015 State Fair of Texas breaks records, helps the hungry

The 129th State Fair of Texas closed on an all all-time record with more than $52 million in coupon sales over 24 days for food and entertainment going to participating vendors. The Fair, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, directs net proceeds to capital improvements, including scholarships, support for Fair Park museum facilities and community outreach programs.

The Fair prides itself in being a showcase and collection of small businesses. A wide variety of entrepreneurs, from concessionaires, artists, entertainers and ride owners and operators contribute to the local economy and local job force. The 2015 Fair employed more than 6,000 seasonal employees and brought an estimated $600 million in economic impact to the local economy.

A key community highlight to this year’s Fair was the continued partnership with the North Texas Food Bank to capture canned food donations. The Fair set a record with 303,298 donated pounds of food or 221,299 meals that will feed the hungry of North Texas.

“The past 129 years serve as a testament to the importance and value of tradition,” said State Fair President Mitchell Glieber. “The State Fair of Texas has brought people together since 1886, and looks forward to celebrating its 130th anniversary next year.”
The 2016 State Fair of Texas will run September 30 through October 23.