Despite Higher Costs, Fair Admission Remains the Same

After paying for tickets, advertising and entertainment, fair officials say it costs about $2.5 million just to open the gates.

In recent years, more attractions have been added, causing the price of the fair to swell into the millions. The cost has not been passed on to taxpayers, because the fair is a self-supporting state agency.

Officials say the cost of putting on the fair is rising because they are offering more attractions, like this year's tiger show.

While operating costs are going up, ticket prices have remained the same. That is because concession vendors are paying more to rent space, and more people are coming out to the fair. Attendance has almost doubled in the past 20 years.

Fair officials also say your money is being well-spent on the grounds. Every dollar they earn this year will go into making the 2000 State Fair even better.

Fair profits are also increasing. Last year, the fair made $3.3 million. A lot of that money goes into maintaining nine buildings, and the fairgrounds. The money also helped build the new waterfall.