Texas State Fair Looks Like A ‘Ghost Town’, But What’s Really Keeping Families Away Is More Alarming Than You Think

Several TikTokers have gone viral after posting videos that show this year’s Texas State Fair looking strangely empty. One creator, Yajaira, posted nighttime footage from a ride high above the fairgrounds. The midway below looked pretty empty. She wrote in her caption, “I have never seen the Texas State Fair so empty.” Other users said the same thing, with one saying they visited on October 8 and found the fair “pretty much empty” from afternoon until closing time.

Fair officials say these claims don’t match what’s actually happening. While some families say price increases kept them home, overall attendance is “fine.” Officials think people are judging the fair based on slow hours and not thinking about the busier times. Early days of the fair are usually slower, and crowds usually pick up as the event goes on.

But the talk about empty midways and bare parking lots has fair officials working hard to fight back. Some families say the total cost for a day at the fair has gone up to between $300 and $350 for a family of four, even with discount tickets. One person said they just couldn’t justify spending that much anymore. To help with this, fair organizers added more free weekend tickets for younger students to help families who couldn’t come during the week.

The Price Tags Tell The Real Story Here

People online had different ideas about why attendance looked low. Some thought it was about politics, with one person writing, “Maybe if the people of Texas hadn’t voted for recession, fascism, and tax cuts for billionaires, the fair might not be so empty.” But others said politics had nothing to do with it. They blamed the high prices instead.

Many people said the real problem was money. The anger over high prices at fun places isn’t just about state fairs, as viral reviews of fast food chains have also got people talking about cost and value. “This is happening all around the country,” one user wrote. “They are charging 28 dollars for a turkey leg, 30 dollars to park, and 12 dollars for a lemonade. This is why people ain’t going to the fair, the cost is ridiculous.” Another person said, “$30 to park, $30 entrance fee, all to get a corn dog for $15? Yeah, pass.”

The anger went beyond just Texas. Many people said that fairs and fun places across the country are getting the same complaints about prices. One user joked, “Girl, it’s cheaper to go to Six Flags and that says A L O T.” Another person was happy to see pushback, writing, “I’m so happy to see this. That price gouging gotta stop.” For now, people online are continuing to talk about what’s really keeping families away.