East Texas State Fair, a Success

TYLER – The East Texas State Fair came to an end last Sunday. Fair officials say it was a tremendous success. Attendance saw a slight drop from previous years. But a cool front brought cooler temperatures and the crowds back for the final weekend. Final attendance was 230,471, 5% less than the previous year. But, The fair saw the largest livestock show in its 100-year history, bringing in entries from as far away as Mississippi. And several competitive events, like the horticulture contest and youth creative arts saw a larger than normal number of entries. The fair provided an estimated $9.8 million in economic impact on the City of Tyler and Smith County. Proceeds from the East Texas State Fair will benefit the Fair’s youth education programs. This includes Academic Rodeo which begins in November, and the over $40,000 in scholarships the Fair plans to provide for local youth in the coming months.