I miss the good ole days. Now we have no car races, no monster trucks, no rodeo,
B class concerts, trailer style foods, trinkit and shamwow vendors, no real bozo, no
freakshows, no real carnies, and pay parking and higher prices. Does anyone know what happened and where this is all going? Weren't we a top 10 fair at one time?

I miss the good ole days. Now we have no car races, no monster trucks, no rodeo,
B class concerts, trailer style foods, trinkit and shamwow vendors, no real bozo, no
freakshows, no real carnies, and pay parking and higher prices. Does anyone know what happened and where this is all going? Weren't we a top 10 fair at one time?

I'm pretty sure there's a lively conversation that was just recently brought up about this; not being rude, I just know there is and you'd probably like to read it. And FYI, Monster Truck shows and rodeos still happen.

Yes, the fairgounds hasn't really built anything like a Monorail, Space Tower or Grand Stands as of late. These Iconic figures have always been the true "signature" of the fair and our fair park.

They are gone and so are so many memories like "All Sports Stadium (One Sport Stadium), Arrows-to-Atoms needle or arrow and others.

Are the Fair Board members"hoarding" money for some new project?

Everything that has been done as of late: Arena renovations, new barns and other improvements have all been funded by MAPS.

Where's the money?

The Oklahoma State Fair has become a joke compared to other state fairs.

I really miss the carnival atmosphere on the Midway. It's about 25% of what it was once upon a time. Not even sure if I'll go this year, it starts next week? The Minnesota State Fair, on the other hand, keeps the old-fashioned and mixes it with A-class traveling exhibits to coincide with the fair and so much more. If ours was one of the best at one time (and I think it was), it's now nothing but a memory. Maybe we need a serious consultant who does nothing but study and compare and give them a license to do what needs to be done. We had a State Fair executive that totally ruined things and now somebody that knows what they're doing needs to come in, (again - even as a consultant) and make it right. The use of traveling exhibits (I mean the A-class type from the Smithsonian, Disney, major museums, Hollywood, etc.) is a great way to add instant "cool" to the fair and keep it fresh, rebuilding the Midway with an old-fashioned theme would also help. Like somebody above said, even the trinket sellers and booths are a fraction of what they once were.

I've always gone for the food and beer primarily so I haven't noticed much of a change

Now when my two yr old gets a little older the quality of the rest of the fair will become a little mo important

I have not been to the Oklahoma State Fair, but the feedback I have gotten has not been positive when the
subject comes up in conversation.

I thought about bringing my daughter to a "Disney On Ice" show but I think I would like to have her first
experience with Mickey be at Disneyland next summer.

The freak shows have been pretty much cut from most fairs. Things honestly got out of hand. I was at the
Arkansas State Fair about 10 years ago and the had one. Some dwarf lady with no legs. She was getting cursed
by patrons. It was pretty bad.

Fair food was always my favorite to check out. I saw somewhere that a fair had a Bacon-cheeseburger between
two Krispy Creme donuts instead of a bun. I would never eat it but it but I would like to see what one looks like.



Chris
http://www.radiookc.com

My feeling was that we seem to be losing more than we are gaining. No cottonwood post, no circus'. Seems like we are not doing the things to make our fair better,
even though prices and revenue for projects our increasing. Is the space needle next?

The Texas State Fair is a good one to go to--not too far away in Dallas...has everything you will get to see at a Fair anywhere. The one here is so sanitized now...it is a of little interest to anyone, the food is routine fair stuff--rather overpriced (even for a Fair!) although the exhibits draw a decent crowd and the rides always will bring the teens...who might be able to stand the absolutely mind-boggling decibel level of noise some of the rides put out...like having a truck horn beside you head...shocking, really.

The Texas State Fair is a good one to go to--not too far away in Dallas...has everything you will get to see at a Fair anywhere. The one here is so sanitized now...it is a of little interest to anyone, the food is routine fair stuff--rather overpriced (even for a Fair!) although the exhibits draw a decent crowd and the rides always will bring the teens...who might be able to stand the absolutely mind-boggling decibel level of noise some of the rides put out...like having a truck horn beside you head...shocking, really. Actually, living in Dallas the State Fair of Texas is not that great either. Food is lacking, no carnival atmosphere, fewer exhibitions. The grounds are kept nice and clean with it's Art Deco buildings however, in my opinion it is not much better than the State Fair of Oklahoma.

Actually, living in Dallas the State Fair of Texas is not that great either. Food is lacking, no carnival atmosphere, fewer exhibitions. The grounds are kept nice and clean with it's Art Deco buildings however, in my opinion it is not much better than the State Fair of Oklahoma.

I agree...few times I have been down to OU TX I wasn't all that impressed..not much difference between the two

Seems like the powers that be are getting the Fairgrounds in shape so it can be sold to a private owner. Don't we have a fair board that should answer to the fact that we have a good fair or not? As it stands, it is not worth going to.

It isn't just the Oklahoma State Fair, many have been closing or have severely reduced their runs all over the country. The day of the fair in its current form is waning, just another casualty of progress.


Seems like the powers that be are getting the Fairgrounds in shape so it can be sold to a private owner. Don't we have a fair board that should answer to the fact that we have a good fair or not? As it stands, it is not worth going to.
I think they are doing exactly what they want, making it into horse show central, the fair is probably an annoyance to them and their grand scheme.

Sad but true.

Back in late 80s early 90s when i was a kid, I loved going, it was the place to be.. when you where there you didnt need a map of the place you knew where you where at buy the land marks,, Ithe planes, the bubble domed looking building.. the fort etc.. I liked the little shows they had around daily, The parking seemed to be a lot more organized back then, and it seemed that there was little or no line to get in the entrances .. I didnt attend the fair from 2000-2007, i took my kids in 08 and i was lost, i dint really recognize much, the layout really sucks. I told my wife from now on if we want a fair day we will take the kids to a carnival then go to old paris flea market, because thats how the oklahoma state fair seems to have turned into

I remember when the fair had some really neat exhibits; One year they had a stunt driver and you could pay to ride along in either a car or a bus as he did figure 8's, etc. I also remember when a huge above ground pool was constructed and you could pay to ride around in an 'armored' bumper boat and shoot balls at other boats while people outside the pool paid to fire balls from cannons at all the boats. I bet I spent $100 of my allowance that year ~ probably in the 80's.

The last cool ride that is no more was the helicopter.

I remember when they had 'real' Freak Shows. I personally am glad they are gone. I went in one, one year and it was mostly live disabled animals (like a dog who could only walk on his front legs and a duck with two heads).

Unfortunately, many state fairs are going downhill.

The Colorado State Fair used to be an event that people wanted to attend, but over the last 10 years or so, the quality of the fair has done nothing but go downhill. The biggest problem for our fair is that they haven't been able to attract very many big names for concerts. Back in the 90's, our fair would have at least one or two big names come to the fair every year, such as Garth Brooks, Clint Black, LeAnne Rhymes, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Chris LeDoux. Now, we are reduced to seeing bands like Alice Cooper & Cheap Trick, the Doobie Brothers, and several other washed-up artists and bands.

Down here the Houston and San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo have replaced the fairs for the most part. The one in Austin is smaller but has moved more to that concept. My cousins band played out in Rockdale at the Fair & Rodeo out there, the small town ones are interesting, they kind of turn into an all ages country bar after the rodeo.

IThe Minnesota State Fair, on the other hand, keeps the old-fashioned and mixes it with A-class traveling exhibits to coincide with the fair and so much more.

I LOVE the Minnesota state fair. It blows Oklahoma's fair away - doesn't even compare. I think they could learn a thing or 2 from the MN state fair.

http://kotv.com/newsimages/slideshow/83eaa9b6-3325-4627-a7e5-9e3f91924d2a.jpg

Quick question. What is the approximate date the renovations will be complete?

Just saw on the channel 4 news, that the space needle will not operate this year due to flooding. I hope this is not the beginning of the end for it too.

Isnt The Great State Fair of Oklahoma #3 in overall attendance behind Texas and Ohio?it was at one time!does anyone know The attendance figures of The State Fair and The Tulsa State Fair?

The Tulsa State Fair has gone downhill even more rapidly than the Oklahoma State Fair, primarily due to the loss of Bell's right there at Expo Square.

If I'm not mistaken, several years ago the Gaylords and a few others sort of took the reigns on the State Fair and at that time put into motion a few deliberate changes to the fair (which funny enough are exactly what everyone always complains about). The decision was made that they wanted to downscale the fair in order to concentrate on 'more quality' foods and events, and they also decided to drastically reduce the midway/carnie section because they wanted to promote a more family-friendly environment. Some changes were also made to the parking arrangements, and more widespread corporate promotion around surfaces became more common. And of course the B-52/flag plaza was dismantled for a variety of reasons... all of which seemed to miss the mark on how important of a sentimental location that was. I often wonder if those that steer the direction of various projects in OKC don't understand their own people, or if they simply don't care.

Ah, so they had to make it family-friendly.. because it was such a haven for drunken partying and youngster debauchery before that.

I don't think it has changed as much as many are saying on here...Think a lot of it can be chalked up to everything seems more fun and better when we are younger and it all gets a little suckier every year we get older

The Tulsa State Fair is actually slightly bigger in attendance.

And I know several others that are larger: Texas, Ohio, Minnesota and I believe a few others.

Do they still have a day for school kids?

During the 60's and 70's, we actually got a day off of public school (Putnam City & OKC Schools anyway) and got in for free or nearly free.

I know that The Kansas State fair has bigger names for there concert series!and The Kansas State fair is in Hutchinson a city of <60,000!How has The OK state fair gone so far down hill?I know I read something about 10-15 years ago saying The OK state fair was The 3rd biggest fair in The Country!but I dont know if that was attendance or area or what!

It is cleaner, safer and less dangerous for kids. I can understand why some of you want to go back to the good ole days.

Oh, and getting the year round fairgrounds to pay for itself is a pretty bad idea.

Is the space needle the next thing to get torn down?

http://www.newsok.com/no-space-needle-at-2010-oklahoma-state-fair/article/3494636

crimsoncrazy: sure looks that way, they are talking about it with the same terms they used before they destroyed the monorail, the speedway and everything in between

There goes the space needle. :-(

But... That is okay. They never provide AC and never provide interpreter in that ride anyway.

Do they still have a day for school kids?

During the 60's and 70's, we actually got a day off of public school (Putnam City & OKC Schools anyway) and got in for free or nearly free.I think Sep 20th is school day at the fair and students K thru 12 are allowed in free.

I know at least some of the smaller school districts have a professional day that coincides with Sep 20. But as far as I can tell the metropolitan schools do not.

All the iconic structures of the State Fair of Oklahoma are slowing disappearing from the landscape.

When is the City going to build something and stop half-stepping at Fair Park?

In February of 1968, there was talk of a proposed 100,000-seat stadium which would have cost around $5 to $7 million to build at the time (Oklahoman reported); we never pursued that.

Now, the few iconic structures we have at Fair Park at quickly disappearing.

Help, Chesapeake, Devon and Sandridge--we need you!

We need to replace the Space Tower with something 500 plus feet or taller.

Looks like we may be headed the stock show route which is popular in Houston and San Antonio.

Moo!

Is the space needle the next thing to get torn down?

http://www.newsok.com/no-space-needle-at-2010-oklahoma-state-fair/article/3494636

The poor thing is worn out...needs to go. Concentrate on a replacement...things come and go in this life...I was there when it first opened about 300 years ago...:ohno:

The VERY exorbitant pricing for booth spaces at the state fair is actually hurting Oklahoma's economy. I know of some companys that used to exhibit there but even back 25 years ago the fair was charging $1500/day for a 10 ft by 10 ft spot so they quit showing.
As it is now, the only vendors you see are the mega high profit siding companies, etc. Something about the Fair has a bad smell to it IMO.

I know of some companys that used to exhibit there but even back 25 years ago the fair was charging $1500/day for a 10 ft by 10 ft spot

The fair is expensive to display in for many small businesses, but lets not further promote the myths. I guarantee you a 10x10 booth 25-years ago was not $1,500/day.

According to this years price chart a premium 10x10 space (endcap, corner, indoors) is only $10/sq foot.

I was told by a business what I posted and it was for an outside spot. Brian are your numbers per day or for the entire run?

I was told by a business what I posted and it was for an outside spot. Brian are your numbers per day or for the entire run?

Regardless, $10/foot is only $1,000 as opposed to $1,500. Outside spots are actually cheaper $6-$8/sq foot. The rate card doesn't say specifically if the rate is per day or the entire run. I personally was under the impression from reading the chart that, that rate covers the entire run of the fair (common sense applied). I know a friend that has a booth to promote and sell her self published book and I know they would not be paying $1,000 a day and all OTC (Over The Counter) displays are charged the same rate. Some businesses also have to pay a percentage of their sales. That being said, if the business you talked to is VERY popular, then yes, they could be paying alot per day based on a percentage of sales but not actual booth rent.

Not trying to argue or be all 'smarty pants' I just hate to see an already (and rightly so) negative image of our fair tarnished more by misinformation. However, my information is simply based on the fair's own website, not personal experience.

Anyone know the charge for table space at Affair of the Heart? I was also told that ran $250 a day for an 8 ft table. Or maybe I just always run into Fairgrounds Haters? <LOL>

Who cares, fairs across the country are broke or even not doing them anymore. It's an old business model. Times have changed. Last year was the first time I went in 15 years, and I'm the 30 and younger crowd. I think the fair appeals more to the rural and older demographic who looks forward to it each year out of nostalgia. The nostalgia has rapidly died off over the last decade due to other newer forms of entertainment. I'm glad they are making lots of strides in improvements at the State Fair Park, but it needs about a BILLION dollars or more in additional improvements to make it worth much or comparable to other places. I am planning on going this year just to eat the food, was disappointed last night when I got on their website and there is no food menu from the vendors or even listing what food vendors they will have. That's a shame, Texas does it well by promoting the newest foods for that year about 2 months early and usually get national attention for it.

As far as the figures, the $1500 a day sounds about right for an inside table, I was going to get one 2 years ago for my employer at the time and I remember it being nearly $20K.

They're getting rid of decaying artifacts and replacing them with facilities which produce income year-round. Maybe someday, those year-round income-producing facilities can fund building for less outdated unique attractions?

Their rates can be found on this page...... http://www.okstatefair.com/commercial_applicants.asp

Can't compare us to Texas, they have 25 million people to pay for it, Oklahoma has only 3 million, in which Tulsa also has their own fair. The fairgrounds are a dump anyways and an eyesore on that part of town. The times and economic models are different and we either have to adapt or die. This isn't 1960 folks. Devon, Project 180, OKC Thunder, Grand Prix and other more modern forms of entertainment are the showcase to our bright future. Quit living in the past, the best days for OKC are ahead!

Can't compare us to Texas, they have 25 million people to pay for it, Oklahoma has only 3 million, in which Tulsa also has their own fair. The fairgrounds are a dump anyways and an eyesore on that part of town. The times and economic models are different and we either have to adapt or die. This isn't 1960 folks. Devon, Project 180, OKC Thunder, Grand Prix and other more modern forms of entertainment are the showcase to our bright future. Quit living in the past, the best days for OKC are ahead!

Agreed to an extent. However, it must be added that sometimes nostalgia has a decent monetary value, not to mention a hell of an aesthetic value. Take something like the dingy looking 'space needle' at the State Fair Park. It is in horrible condition. It is almost a relic.

Imagine how cool it'd be to still have it around 100 years from now and completely restored? Sometimes, when you're able to say "they don't make 'em like that anymore," that should be reason enough to keep it around. I agree that right now, it makes no sense to get it back up and running. But later, it might actually be a crown jewel amidst a bunch of uninteresting steel buildings and barns.

FWIW, the published rates are per sq foot and cover the run of the fair and are not daily rates. There can be additional charges for extra electrical needs or other add-ons and food vendors and pay to play vendors operate on a percentage of sales basis, as others have noted.

So, an outdoor bulk space vendor who doesn't need extras and who has a top end outdoor spot for 4.00 per sf and needs 5000 sf, pays 20G for using the space. Any extras for more electrical, etc. add on to that figure.

been there, done that, had a lot of fun with it, but that's just a blast from the past.

It seems like fairs all over the country are struggling. There has been one in my area of California for decades that recently folded... And some quick research shows that attendance has been falling pretty much all over.

So, like just about everything else in the fast-paced information age, fairs have to adapt to survive.

The OK State Fair only runs less than two weeks a year and the fairgrounds has to come up with other things to justify investment. Seems like they've been doing a good job of that while still maintaining most of what we have all come to expect during the state fair run.

I know this is crazy but instead of the oil derrick thing that was proposed to be built over the oklahoma river, how about placing it at the state fair in replacing of the needle!!!!

Having a food booth at the fair is a tremendous undertaking! The State Fair Board even made it more diffcult when they expand the fair from 10 days to 19 days. Booth renters were paying even more with sales spread out over 19 days instead of 10. At least now they have dropped the length back to 11 days. Food booth vendors are considering rent, labor, food costs and other logistics costs into their business plan. If they cant make a decent profit, then its not worth setting up a booth. Who wants to work 16 hour days for almost two weeks and just break even.

I know this is crazy but instead of the oil derrick thing that was proposed to be built over the oklahoma river, how about placing it at the state fair in replacing of the needle!!!!

Or better yet, don't build the ugly thing. Oklahoma has better designers than that. Rand Elliott's Turbonomic Tower concept would be way more innovative. Think bigger people!

but I think some are already griping about tax monies going towards needless "art" when real issues are being neglected.

The fair is expensive to display in for many small businesses, but lets not further promote the myths. I guarantee you a 10x10 booth 25-years ago was not $1,500/day.

According to this years price chart a premium 10x10 space (endcap, corner, indoors) is only $10/sq foot.

Like advertising rates--it is all based on traffic or impressions...really no other way to base rates...

I would hate to see the space needle go. I love iconic structures. I enjoy looking at it heading down I-44 gazing east with the downtown skyline behind it. Just because it is no long "operational" as a ride doesn't mean it can't "operate" as a piece of OKC history/art all by itself...just standing there.

Why don't we just apply to have a World's Fair. Then we can build iconic structures and pay for it for 20 years....but, oh what memories we would have.

Casey, why can't the fair divert just a small fraction of what it's spent on equine facilities on this one asset that has been enjoyed by so many of those who actually live here? Why settle with it becoming art?

How about the State Fair Board turning loose some of the pot of money they are sitting on, and repair the Space Needle. When you consider all the MAPS money that has been spent and the exorbitant rates and prices charged it it impossible not to realize that a lot of somebody are getting very rich.

Having a food booth at the fair is a tremendous undertaking! The State Fair Board even made it more diffcult when they expand the fair from 10 days to 19 days. Booth renters were paying even more with sales spread out over 19 days instead of 10. At least now they have dropped the length back to 11 days. Food booth vendors are considering rent, labor, food costs and other logistics costs into their business plan. If they cant make a decent profit, then its not worth setting up a booth. Who wants to work 16 hour days for almost two weeks and just break even.

Articles I read indicated the opposite, when they shortened it to the 11 day run, daily attendance went up but not enough to make up for the shorter run and losing an entire weekend. It was at the same time that vendor rates went thru the roof (and if for a shorter run, then the increase was even higher).

All the iconic structures of the State Fair of Oklahoma are slowing disappearing from the landscape.

When is the City going to build something and stop half-stepping at Fair Park?

In February of 1968, there was talk of a proposed 100,000-seat stadium which would have cost around $5 to $7 million to build at the time (Oklahoman reported); we never pursued that.

Now, the few iconic structures we have at Fair Park at quickly disappearing.

Help, Chesapeake, Devon and Sandridge--we need you!

We need to replace the Space Tower with something 500 plus feet or taller.

Looks like we may be headed the stock show route which is popular in Houston and San Antonio.

Moo!

Someone correct me, but aren't those companies represented on the State Fair Board? (I certainly wouldn't look to SandRidge if you are trying to save anything). They are part of the problem with Clay Bennett at the top of the list. He has been the head honcho for at least 10 years now (can't find when he started) but an article indicated he was there before Skip Wagner came and went.

Like advertising rates--it is all based on traffic or impressions...really no other way to base rates...

Sure you can, it's called increased revenues.