Tulsa State Fair attendance holds steady as vendors cite high prices, weaker sales

Tulsa State Fair attendance stagnated this year compared to 2025, with an estimated 1 million people showing up to the event that ran from Oct. 1-11. 

Despite the numbers remaining steady, several vendors felt this year’s fair was worse than previous years citing parking costs and the rising price of concessions. 

“I am grateful to be here and be able to sell my product at the Tulsa Fair. But I think … they’re outpricing the common person in that part,” Bobby Wiley, owner of Sugar 66, told The Eagle a week into the fair.

Wiley, who has stationed his candy shop there for four years, was frustrated with what he felt was lower foot traffic. He blamed the cost of admission, a sentiment other vendors also shared. 

In 2025, 100,000 fewer people attended compared to 2024. Vendors and fairgoers voiced similar concerns last year, too. 

Pricing remained similar this year compared to 2025 as far as entry. A single adult would have to spend nearly $40 to enter after purchasing a $17 ticket and paying $20 for parking, while a family of four would be out $68. 

Amanda Blair, president of Expo Square, told The Eagle in 2025 they were cognizant of the economic factors that may make things more difficult for families. That’s why they offer discounted admission days, advanced ticket pricing and bundled value options for families, she said. 

“If things don’t change and it just stays the same, things get more expensive, the crowd is gonna speak,” Wiley said. “Because that’s what’s happening now. The crowd is speaking, and they’re saying, ‘Hey, enough is enough,’ and they’ll continue to get louder if they don’t change how it’s going right now.”

Attendance figures are calculated through a combination of ticket sales, gate counts and complimentary admissions — including exhibitors, competitors, sponsors and partners. 

Next year’s state fair will take place from Sept. 30 to Oct. 10. 

Ismael Lele is a Report for America corps member and writes about business in Tulsa for The Oklahoma Eagle. Your donation to match our Report for America grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting this link.

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