Fair Attendance Up, Sales Down

By Chris Wright, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The economy is on everyone's mind, including those trying to enjoy themselves at the Tulsa State Fair. But despite the current financial crisis, attendance is actually up slightly at this year's edition.

Attendance is up, but vendor sales figures are down for the first four days of the fair. Either way, everyone says they come here to get away from all the awful economic news.

Joe Mathys has sold fudge for 50 years, and has manned a booth at the Tulsa State Fair for more than three decades. During that time, he and his fellow fudge-makers have seen their share of economic downturns, recessions and panics and he says the worse off people are, the better business is for him.

"When they do spend extra, they want to spend it on something that makes them feel good, and coming to the fair makes them feel good," said Mathys.

Nearby at Print-out Portraits, Connie Raines is a little less optimistic. She says sales were awful the first two days of the fair, but picked up over the weekend. When people are worried about making ends meet, she says they are less likely to pay extra for a custom-made T-shirt.

"Because people are spending less money, when you have to buy food and gas. These are kind of secondary," said Raines.

Attitudes about the economy were also mixed among those strolling the midway and the QuikTrip Center. Some say they are determined to have a good time, at any cost. Others are splurging in moderation.

"Definitely, gas prices are too high not to.  Baby food is too high not too.  So yeah, we are definitely watching what we are spending," said Cherie Waring.

"Actually, today we're just going crazy.  Spending everything on the kids.  Having fun with the kids today," said Ashley Holt.

"No, we're just going for it. You only live once, and you can't take it with you," said Stephanie Gruenwald.

Regardless of their reaction to the financial crisis, fairgoers say they all enjoy the opportunity not to think about Wall Street for a few hours.

Vendors did make more than $1.5 million during the first four days of the fair. But that is down nearly $150,000 from the 2007 totals.