Fairgoers Leaving With Traffic Tickets

Friday, September 28th 2007, 8:11 pm

By: News On 6

A trip to the fair could cost you more than the price of admission. Fairgoers who park illegally are facing big fines. News On 6 anchor Latoya Silmon reports if you park illegally your fair experience will end with a ticket, and dozens of fairgoers found that out the hard way on opening night of the Tulsa State Fair.

Tulsa police handed out 67 tickets Thursday night. Officers say many people ignored warning signs and parked on grass and other illegal spots. Those tickets will cost you big, up to $50 in fines.

Fair organizers say there are cheaper alternatives; in fact, there are 1,000 more parking spaces than last year with Bell's gone. However, with 73,000 people packing the fair Thursday night there was bound to be some rebels.

â€œThey have been getting tickets. We're trying really hard to just keep the fairgrounds safe,â€ said Amanda Blair, Executive Marketing Manager.

"I think they should be giving warnings because this is just a new thing. People are used to having convenience,â€ fairgoer Leonard Morall said. â€œThe fair comes once a year."

â€œI gotta say, I've been listening to the radio for a while, they've all been warned,â€ Rick Kruse, fairgoer said.

The officers are also checking for outstanding tickets, so if you have one you could be towed.

If you don't want the parking headache, you can always use one of the shuttles. There are six remote sites with free Park-N-Ride shuttle service provided by the Metropolitan Transit Service. They are located at:

Tulsa Education Center, 31st & New Haven

Nathan Hale High School, 6960 E. 21st St.

Broken Arrow Education Service Center, 601 South Main Street

TCC Northeast Campus, 3727 E. Apache

Promenade Mall, 41st & Yale

Creek Nation Casino, 81st & Riverside

Shuttle riders will also receive coupon books for discounts at the fair.

To get more information about the Tulsa State Fair, click here.

Watch the video:Fair Parking Crackdown

Related Story:
9/27/2007 Police To Ticket Cars At The Fair