After nearly two years with no traditional fair experience, people have another weekend to hop on rides and fortify themselves with fried food at the State Fair of Texas.
Before last weekend, visitors and salespeople say it feels good to be back.
“Bringing the community together and bringing it together to celebrate all that Texas has to offer felt incredible this year,” said Karissa Condoianis, senior vice president of public relations for the State Fair of Texas.
For many longtime sellers like Juan Reeves, the show is big business and a big family get-together. But like any other industry, they too have to struggle with staff shortages. He says they started the season with roughly half the staff they normally do and hired them for the entire time.
“Our family has six stands and it was difficult to find the right staff for each stand, two shifts a day, 24 days, that was our challenge. But the fair itself was great. The fair was wonderful, the guests were great and it was just nice to be out here with our family again for the sellers. We’re all family and we miss each other from last year, ”said Reeves, co-owner of Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que and Ruth’s Corn Tamales.
It’s the 73rd year Jack Pyland has served his family’s famous French fries.
“That’s all I know to do in October. I will be at the state fair. I am moving out of here and will not be leaving the premises for a month. I’m just staying here and in my case that’s part of my life, ”said Pyland.
And for so many families, the fair brings together some of the most beautiful things in life. Many have been grateful to be returning to the tradition that they look forward to personally and with loved ones.
“It was important because we were all quarantined during the pandemic last year and couldn’t come and now we can come out and enjoy our mom-daughter time,” said Chrystal Graves.
“There is a lot of eating, all of it corn dogs, french fries, hot dogs,” said Rose Quinonez.
“The roller coaster because it was my first time on one,” said Kelsey Henderson.
Condoianis says this year is the trade fair’s 135th anniversary. She says the nonprofit lost $ 20 million because it didn’t have the show in almost two years. The money helps with scholarships and supports other community programs. They hope this season will help them recover.
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