10.10.2024

Today’s Forecast

91º | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:27 a.m. | Sunset 6:59 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

🎡 A fair share of numbers

Get a load of these sky-high numbers. | Photo by FTWtoday

It’s not news that the State Fair of Texas can get pricey pretty quickly. Between admission, rides, and snacking your way across Fair Park, the typical local visitor spends an average of $106 to attend the fair — not to mention the transportation + hotel costs for out-of-towners.

How does all of that add up, you may ask?

A new study by Michael C. Carroll and the Economic Research group at the University of North Texas analyzed the financial data from the State Fair of Texas in 2023 and compared it to numbers from 2016, to show how the 24-day festival contributes to DFW’s economy.

Keep reading for a quick breakdown of some Big Tex-sized numbers.

FTW-state-fair-of-texas-2024-midway-games — The State Fair of Texas employed over 4,400 people last year.
|
Photo by FTWtoday

Show me the money

In 2023, the fair generated a whopping $680 million in total economic impact — approximately $180 million more than it did seven years prior. This includes:

Core revenue | A combination of operations, capital spending, visitors spending, and vendor employee spending | $422.2 million in 2023 vs. $307.6 million in 2016
Secondary activities | Sales from vendors | $196.2 million in 2023 vs. $192.3 million in 2016
Labor | Salaries and wages for full-time and temporary employees | 4,486 jobs in 2023 vs. ~6,000 jobs in 2016
Taxes | Federal, state, and local | $70.5 million in 2023 vs. $14.8 million in 2016

Giving back

In 2023, the fair contributed $15.8 million to educational programs, local nonprofits, scholarships, and historic preservation efforts for Fair Park and South Dallas.

It also awarded a record-breaking $2.2 million in scholarship money during the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction — bringing the auction’s total awards to $24 million over the last 75 years.

Additionally, the fair gave out 2.1 million free tickets to students, teachers, and members of local nonprofits last year.

More fair, more money

Events

Thursday, Oct. 10

Dallas Farmers Market Pumpkin Patch | Thursday, Oct. 10 | 9 a.m.| Dallas Farmers Market | Free | Pick your perfect pumpkin for your jack-o-lantern at the Dallas Farmers Market.
Chris Distefano: Chrissy Comedy Clubs | Thursday, Oct. 10 | 8-9:45 p.m. | Big Laugh Comedy Club, Fort Worth | $45 | Comedian Chris Distefano graces the stage with his raunchy witty jokes and personal life stories.

Friday, Oct. 11

Improvised Slasher Movie | Friday, Oct. 11 | 8:15 p.m. | Dallas Comedy Club | $20 | Help create a slasher film using your horror movie knowledge during this hilarious improv comedy show.
Cosmic Howl: Pumpkin Painting Workshop | Friday, Oct. 11 | 6 p.m. | Meow Wolf, Grapevine | $5 | Have a gourd time while painting pumpkins for Cosmic Howl.

Saturday, Oct. 12

Fall Vendor Market and Craft Fair | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden | Shop from 30+ local vendors and artisans to get a head start on your holiday gift list.
Dinner Detective Interactive True Crime Dinner Show! | Saturday, Oct. 12 | Times vary | Hilton Garden Inn Downtown | $72| Join this engaging and unique murder mystery dinner theater performance that’s played since 2004.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

Dallasites rejoice. Texas supermarket chain H-E-B has announced it’s entering the Dallas area with a new store being built in Forney. H-E-B is planning to open 10 more stores in DFW in the next several years. The construction is set to begin this month. (WFAA)

Coming Soon

More seafood, please. A new seafood restaurant is set to open in Maple Terrace. Catch Dallas comes from the minds of Tilman J. Fertitta, Mark Birnbaum, and Eugene Remm. The elegant seafood spot will feature sushi, decadent lobster dishes, and steak. It will open on Friday, Nov. 8 at 3005 Maple Ave. (CultureMap Dallas)

Trending

Um, Dak what’s going on? The Dallas Cowboys quarterback has the internet talking after a recent video showed his 8,800-sqft mansion getting torn down on Tuesday. Prescott bought the home in 2019 and has not shared details on his plans for the empty lot. (WFAA)

Plan Ahead

Down below, we’re telling you about all the cool parks Dallas has to offer. Here’s a little incentive to visit them. CultureMap Dallas has a cool list of outdoor fitness classes that will happen all throughout Dallas this month.

Community

Texas favorite Matthew McConaughey and his wife, Camila, made a surprise donation to the New Friends New Life nonprofit. The $100,000 gift will be used towards helping and empowering teens whose lives have been affected by sex trafficking. (CultureMap Dallas)

Legacy

Denton Ryan defensive coordinator Aaron De La Torre has died, according to a district spokesperson. A close family friend of De La Torre says she is helping raise money for his loved ones, per WFAA Reporter Scoop Jefferson.

Sports

Word around the track is that Arlington will be hosting the IndyCar Grand Prix. Well, it’s true and we have all the details on the 2+ mile circuit that will feature some of North Texas’ popular locations.

Listen

Should the Cowboys consider making a switch on their offensive line? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Cowboys with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Active

🌳 Meet us at the park

Do you remember the wedding scene in “Dr T and the Women”? It was filmed at the Dallas Arboretum. | Photo by Rodney via Flickr

Whether you’re looking for a spot to decompress after your 9-to-5 or you’ve just adopted a new pup and need a place to run around, Dallas is home to plenty of recreational spots and parks to enjoy.

Downtown parks

Klyde Warren Park, 2012 Woodall Rogers Fwy.
Built over the eight-lane Woodall Rogers Freeway, Klyde Warren Park is one of Dallas’ most popular green spaces. This 5.2-acre space includes something for everyone in the family.

Trinity River Audubon Center, 6500 S. Great Trinity Forest Way
Hiking enthusiasts will love visiting five miles of hiking trails through the Great Trinity Forest and the marvelous prairie views.

Nature parks

Cedar Ridge Preserve, 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy.
Since it’s a preserve and not a park, certain activities are limited to preserve its natural beauty. Dogs are welcome as long as they’re on a leash, so it’s a great place to take your pet for a stroll.

10 more parks to explore

Asked

What is your favorite park activity to do in our city?

A. Walking my dog
B. Spending time with the kiddos
C. Having a picnic
D. Other

Park it right here

The Buy

Suede Chelsea boots — they’re the perfect fall/winter staple for your closet that offers you comfortable wear with ankle support and a slim silhouette.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Maiya

From the editor

Have you ever visited Curiosities Antiques? It’s one of my favorite stores for the odd, the weird, and the interesting. Definitely would recommend a visit, especially with Halloween in the midst.

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