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The East Texas State Fair rolled into town, bringing all the fun—carnival rides, yummy fair food, and so much for families to enjoy!
From exciting games to cute animals at the petting zoo, there’s something for everyone.
I’m sharing my honest thoughts, especially for families with kids.
I wasn’t sponsored or paid for this; I just wanted to share what we loved (and didn’t) to help other families plan their trips!
Maybe I can get a sponsor next year.
PARKING
The new fairgrounds are located on the east side of Tyler between Highway 31 and Highway 64. If you’re coming from the west, enter from the 31 side.
The parking lot in 2024 is all dirt, so it might be muddy if it rained recently.
What was nice was that the parking directions were clearly marked, and there was a line of people directing traffic, guiding you to a parking spot, or directing you to the exit.
Admission
To avoid long lines, buy your tickets online. I did it while standing in line, and it took me less than 5 minutes.
PRICES:
- Adults (13+) …………. $12.00
- Youth (5-12) …………. $6.00
- Children (under 5) ….. FREE
Free K-12 and college student tickets are available Monday through Thursday on the ticket page.
INSIDE THE FAIR
Once you get your ticket scanned and walk through the gates, you’ll be on gravel. There are no paved walkways anywhere. It’s dusty when it’s dry and muddy when it’s wet.
Some areas have thicker gravel than others, so if you’re pushing a stroller (like we were), you’ll need some muscle to get the wheels through. But overall, it wasn’t too bad.
I’m hoping they pave the area in the coming years.
RIDES
The carnival rides give you plenty of ways to spin and feel the laws of physics at work.
There are 5 rides for kids between 36″ and 52″ tall, which they can ride alone.
For most other rides, kids between 48″ and 52″ need an adult to ride with them.
It costs 9-15 tickets per ride.
TICKET PRICES
- Unlimited Ride Wristband .. $37
- 1 ticket …………………… $0.50
- 20 tickets ………………… $10
- 65 tickets ………………… $30
- 140 tickets ………………. $60
- 240 tickets ………………. $98
If you’re planning on hitting the rides, the unlimited wristband is totally worth it. I also recommend bringing a friend for your kid if you don’t want to ride with them.
CARNIVAL GAMES
There are plenty of games where you can win huge stuffed animals or other fun prizes. We didn’t play any, but if you want to, be sure to bring cash!
Any card payment will have a service fee added to each transaction.
FOOD
Is it even a fair if there isn’t a ton of junk food?
Although the food row was smaller this year, there were still plenty of options:
turkey legs,
cotton candy,
pretzels,
footlong corn dogs,
buckets of fries,
BBQ sandwiches,
tacos,
caramel apples,
and more.
We had ice cream (it was more on the icy side, which I’m not a fan of, but it didn’t melt as fast).
We also had mac and cheese with brisket on top ($12). It was good, but not the best mac and cheese I’ve had.
We also grabbed snow cones ($5) and a pretzel ($6).
VENDOR MARKET
There was a building full of vendors selling all sorts of crafts, sweet treats, and handcrafted items, but we didn’t make it over there.
We were too busy enjoying the rides and food.
Petting Zoo
The petting zoo is free to enter, but it costs $2 for a small cup of food to feed the goats,
sheep,
potbelly pigs,
llamas,
miniature cows,
baby camels,
and baby zebras.
The camels and zebras are in a separate pen.
You could also pay $10 to enter a pen with baby kangaroos, or another $10 for a pony ride.
MUSIC
There was a big stage in the middle of the fair with live music playing all night from different bands.
The stage area was covered, with tables where you could sit and enjoy your food while listening.
We didn’t sit down, but it looked like a great place to have dinner and enjoy the tunes.
KID AREA
Near the entrance, there’s a small kids’ area with a corn pit for them to play in—remember to take off your shoes!
My oldest LOVED playing in the corn pit. My youngest wasn’t liking how it felt to walk on the carn kernals.
They also had a mama cow with her babies and a pile of soil where kids could dig. I’m not sure if they were supposed to find something in the dirt, though.
There’s also a cow statue that you can “milk.”
SHOWS
There were two shows: a pig race and a BMX trick show. We didn’t catch the BMX show this year, but it’s always fun to see the bikes flip and do tricks.
We did see the pig race, where you get to cheer on piggies racing around the track to win an Oreo. There were three races with three different sets of pigs. Their names were pretty entertaining. Brad Pig,
For each race, four audience members were picked to be “cheerleaders” for the pigs. The winning pig’s cheerleader got a small packet of Oreos and a wearable pig nose. If you want a pig nose for yourself, they’re $2 each.
SAVING MONEY AT THE FAIR
The 2024 East Texas State Fair is full of excitement for families, but we all know that a day at the fair can add up quickly! From rides to food, it’s easy to spend more than you planned.
But don’t worry—I’ve got some great tips to help you save while still having a blast. Here are 7 ways to stretch your dollars:
- Buy tickets online: Skip the long lines and save time by purchasing your tickets online, sometimes they offer discounts too! Take advantage of free admission for K-12 and college students from Monday to Thursday.
- Pack snacks for little ones: Bringing small snacks for your kids can help you avoid buying extra food when they get hungry between meals.
- Share food: Fair portions are usually big! Share meals and snacks to save cash and reduce waste.
- Limit ride spending: Opt for the unlimited ride wristband if your kids love the rides—it’s way cheaper than buying individual tickets.
- Bring glow sticks: Save money on those pricey light-up toys by grabbing a pack of glow sticks from the dollar store beforehand.
- Set a budget for games: Carnival games are fun, but they can drain your wallet fast! Set a limit ahead of time, and stick to it. Or skip all together.
- Skip souvenirs: Instead of buying pricey souvenirs, snap photos of your favorite moments—memories are better than stuff!
With a little planning, you can still enjoy everything the fair has to offer without breaking the bank!
What is your money saving tip for the fair?
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
- There’s no security check for bags, and clear bags aren’t required.
- Wear closed-toe shoes. It’ll be more comfortable on the gravel, and they’re required for the petting zoo.
What is your favorite part of the East Texas State Fair?
