The State Fair of Texas is closing after 24 days of fun and fried food

DALLAS – The State Fair of Texas has come to a close after 24 days of fried food, fair games and fun. The gates closed on Sunday at 9 p.m.

For many trade fair visitors like Navaeh Omidele, the last day of the trade fair came too early.

“I’m really sad that it’s the last day of the fair,” Omidele said. “I like going on trail rides, but I can’t go on many rides because I’m not at the fair, and I love the fair.”

Each year more than two million people visit Fair Park for the largest state fair in the country. On the last day, thousands lined up to get a final impression of the fair.

“It’s like a coincidence that we all had time to get together on the last day,” said Laura Pedroza, who spent the day at the fair with her family.

Although this year’s state fair began with a public dispute between Attorney General Ken Paxton and the state fair over a gun ban, fair leaders say the gun ban has helped keep the fair safe. Last year, a gunman shot and injured three people at the fair.

“We know that by strengthening this program, everyone who comes to the fair will feel safe and can simply enjoy the day they are here,” said Nate Gross, vice president of fair operations.

Now it’s clean-up time. Starting this evening, teams will begin dismantling the rides and concession stands.

“By the end of this week, a large part of the fair will be gone. We never thought she would be 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 show ends today, I feel like I’ll probably rest for a week or two and then we’ll be back,” said Justin Martinez, president and CEO of Fiesta Enterprises.

Martinez has four different food and drink stalls 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 father founded the company 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 going to do for 2025,” Martinez said.