State Fair of Texas closes after 24 days of fun and fried food
DALLAS — The State Fair of Texas has come to an end after 24 days of fried food, fair games, and fun. The gates closed at 9 p.m. Sunday.
For many fairgoers like Navaeh Omidele, the last day of the fair arrived too soon.
"I'm really sad that it's the last day of the fair," Omidele said. "I like to do rides, and I can't do a lot of rides because I'm not at the fair, and I love the fair."
Every year, more than two million people head to Fair Park for the largest state fair in the country. On the final day, thousands lined up to get their last taste of the fair.
"It's like a coincidence the last day was when we were all available to come together," said Laura Pedroza, who spent the day with her family at the fair.
Although this year's state fair began with a public dispute between State Attorney General Ken Paxton and the State Fair over a ban on guns, fair leaders say the gun ban helped keep the fair safe. Last year, a gunman shot and wounded three people at the fair.
"We know that by strengthening that program, everybody that comes out to the fair feels safe and they can just enjoy the day when they're here," said Nate Gross, vice president of fair operations.
Now it's cleanup time. Starting tonight, teams will begin breaking down the rides and concession stands.
"By the end of this week, a large part of the fair is gonna be gone. We would've never known it was here," Gross said.
For the people behind some of the crazy food creations at the State Fair, the work for next year is just beginning.
"Even though the fair ends today, I feel like I rest for maybe a week or two, and then we're back at it," said Justin Martinez, president and CEO of Fiesta Enterprises.
Martinez owns four different food and beverage stands at the fair. His company is the creator of this year's Big Tex Choice Award-winning "Dominican Fritura Dog." You could say he was born for this job. His dad started the business in 1977, shortly before he was born.
"The State Fair of Texas is absolutely in my blood. Even though I'm tired, I'm already thinking about what we're gonna do for 2025," Martinez said.