'The Whole Neighborhood Dreads It:' Residents Living Near Tulsa State Fair Discuss Yearly Parking Concerns

The Tulsa State Fair says they offer a lot of parking, but, the best way to get there is by taking the free shuttle on the weekend.

Related: Ultimate Guide To The Tulsa State Fair

What people should not do is park illegally in the neighborhoods across from the fairground.

Neighbors who've lived here more than a decade say the fair is the worst time of the year for them, but one man says it’s his second year living here, and it doesn't bother him.

Thousands of people going to the Tulsa State Fair will pay for food, rides, and games, but many will skip paying for parking.

“It's going to look like total chaos,” said Eric Clain of Tulsa.

“The whole neighborhood dreads it every year,” Catherine Curtin of Tulsa said.

Instead of paying $20 a day to park at the fairgrounds, some will go across the street instead, and walk to the fair.

Brett Mills lives in the neighborhood where people park.

“As long as it's not bothering me, or interrupting me then it really doesn't matter to me because I would do the same thing If I were in their shoes, if I had the chance to have free parking I would take advantage of it, so I can't blame them,” Mills said.

But his neighbors see it another way.

“People will park all the way up to the driveway on both sides and then you're backing blindly, and you can't see if anyone's coming so you just like backing up and just praying,” said Curtin. 

“I set a trash can on the corner of my driveway and no one seems to hit it always ends up in my yard and I got to pick it up every night,” said Clain. 

The city sends a letter to people who live near the fair every year outlining the rules.

“You also can't charge them either, so I thought about that,” said Mills.

“How does the city or the county have the right that I can't park a car in my driveway, It's my driveway I pay property tax for that driveway,” Clain said.

“I have a long driveway I invite my friends who want to go to the fair to park there but they are the only ones,” said Curtin.

Tulsa Police says they will have officers patrolling the neighborhoods to ticket or tow cars that are illegally parked, and tickets can cost up to $500.

There are several signs in the neighborhood to tell drivers where they can't park.