Visitors are not afraid to spend money at this year's State Fair

Saturday, September 29th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Thousands of people hit the Midway for the 94th Annual Tulsa State Fair. And many of them came worry free, prepared to empty their pocketbooks, despite talk of a stalled economy, and rumors of recession.

News on Six reporter Heather Brooker says inside the Expo many vendors are selling their goods to eager buyers. And the story is much the same out on the midway as well. The sound of money spent, and money earned. It's also a sight you'll see up and down the midway at this year's fair. Fistfulâ€™s of cash, from people like Dawn Crouch, ready to spend and escape. "What's going on in the world today wasn't going to stop us. We're gonna go out, we're gonna spend some money and we're gonna have a good time."

Crouch plans to spend around $150 in one evening. And even if she doesnâ€™t win, it's all for a good time. "Have a good time, relax, get away from everything that's going on." Jeffery Smith says he refuses to let what's happened keep him from pumping money into the economy. "It's a tradition every year and Iâ€™m not gonna let anything stop me from doing that." Whether you choose to spend your money on rides, games or food on a stick at this year's fair, the vendors we talked to say they're not having any trouble making money.

"Business has been fantastic, unbelievable." The folks at Chicken Nation aren't crying fowl this year, they're cashing in. "Business has been really good. In fact for opening day, we've probably had one of the best opening days we've ever had." So far, that statement rings true for almost everyone at the fair.

Amid the bright lights and greasy onions, you'll find many people ready to open their wallets and cash in on a good time.