Tulsa State Fair attendance down, but still a million-plus attendees
BY SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer
Thursday, October 11, 2012
10/11/12 at 4:32 AM
Attendance at this year's Tulsa State Fair was down about 9 percent, but more than a million people are still estimated to have visited the annual event.
An estimated 1,022,000 people attended the 11-day fair, which ended Sunday, according to Expo Square President and CEO Mark Andrus.
That's a 9 percent decrease from last year's estimated 1,123,000 attendance.
The weather forecast, and not the actual weather, may have stalled this year's attendance, Andrus said.
"It rained for 65 minutes during the entirety of the fair," he said, but rain was forecast for several days of the fair's run this year.
In 2009, some of the worst weather hit the fair, Andrus said, and it was reflected in attendance that year, which was estimated at 835,000.
"In 2010 and 2011, we had 11 days of flawless weather," he said, and attendance was estimated to be at more than a million visitors both years.
Fair attendance is always an estimate because of the different types of tickets sold, including multiday passes, and the large number of exhibitors and workers coming and going during the event.
Figures used to determine the estimate include comparing gate ticket sales, midway ride ticket sales and food sales to the previous year's numbers.
Despite the weather warnings, which may have kept some people away, Andrus said this year's fair was another hit.
"The first Sunday was the biggest Sunday we've had on record," he said.
The Emergency Medical Services Authority reported a patient count of 340 at this year's fair, a drop from 424 last year.
Of those patients, 54 were transported to area hospitals. Fifty-five refused transport, according to EMSA.
EMSA personnel also saw 167 people who requested everything from a band-aid to a vital signs check.
The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office reported that the number of calls for service was down significantly from last year, although final totals weren't available Wednesday.
Maj. Shannon Clark said four adults were arrested and three juveniles were taken into custody during the fair.
One vehicle was reported stolen, and no reports of vehicle burglaries were made, authorities said.
"This was considered one of the safest fairs," Clark said.
The number of calls of lost children increased from 141 last year to 169 this year, but all children were reunited with their parents, he said.
Tulsa State Fair estimated attendance
2012: 1,022,000
2011: 1,123,000
2010: 1,097,000
2009: 835,000
2008: 915,000
2007: 987,0057
2006: 1,055,948
2005: 917,449
2004: 935,220
2003: 907,078
2002: 1,009,821
2001: 1,043,164
2000: 1,091,508
1999: 1,105,051
Original Print Headline: Fair attendance down; still a million-plus in attendance
Sara Plummer 918-581-8465
sara.plummer@tulsaworld.com
