$62.5M in expenses

Since its inception in 1886, the State Fair of Texas has celebrated all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment. The 2024 State Fair of Texas welcomed nearly 2.4 million fairgoers through the gates. The State Fair of Texas offers a variety of interactive exhibits focusing on agriculture and livestock - implementing hands-on activities that are both enjoyable and informative. Activities range from feeding furry friends at the petting zoo to learning about different livestock species during daily guided tours through the livestock barns. In addition, each year, thousands of students from around the state work diligently in preparation for the competitive livestock events and leadership contests at the State Fair. The largest of these events, the annual Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction, celebrates the agricultural heritage of our great state, while also providing scholarships and prizes to students all over Texas. The Fair's educational initiatives extend far beyond our 24-day exposition. With education at the very core of our foundation, the State Fair of Texas continues to serve as a showcase for Texas history, agriculture, and the community that connects it all. The Fair expands its educational initiatives to the classroom with an innovative curriculum, created in partnership with Big Thought. The online curriculum combines the unique culture of the Fair with Texas history and agriculture, incorporating it into a TEKS-aligned program that focuses on STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math) for grades 4 through 12. With a focus on educating visitors about Texas history and agriculture, the Fair offers a unique experience that is both informative and entertaining. As a long-standing Dallas institution, the State Fair of Texas has a distinctive appreciation for the local support that makes such a big event possible every year. With the ultimate goal of having a positive community impact, the Fair aims to give back through our partnerships with local organizations and initiatives. The Fair continues to expand outreach programs while placing a special priority on promoting community involvement at the local level. Our impact in the community focuses on three areas that complement our mission - social capital, human capital, and financial capital. In addition, the Fair seeks to assist food insecurity in the South Dallas/Fair Park area through its Big Tex Urban Farms initiative. Each year, the State Fair of Texas brings guests from all walks of life together for 24 days in celebration of the Lone Star State's evolving culture. Beginning in 1886 as a local gathering place for people to share ideas and learn from new cultures, the annual state fair and exposition in Fair Park became a breeding ground for Texas education and innovation. 2024's theme encompassed one of the many great things the Fair is known for - 24 Day of Fun. The 2024 State Fair of Texas, themed "24 Days of Fun" highlighted a longstanding tradition in the hearts of many Texans - the State Fair of Texas. Known for its larger-than-life exhibition, offering a wide variety of shows, exhibits, shopping, rides, games, and especially food, what better year than 2024 to celebrate all these things with our "24 Days of Fun" commemorative theme art? For 138 years, we have celebrated all things Texan here at the Most Texan Place on Earth, and last year, we paid homage with 24 ways the Fair is fun for everyone. The 2024 State Fair of Texas made a difference in more ways that we can count. Below are just a few of the noteworthy successes from this year's exposition: - The State Fair welcomed nearly 2.4 million fairgoers through the gates; - Approximately $91.4 million was generated in gross coupon sales for food, beverage, and rides, with a majority of funds going to vendors; - More than 69,000 first responders, members of the military, and their families used the special discount in gratitude for their service; - More than 71,250 people enjoyed the return of 15 performances of the State Fair of Texas Rodeo presented by United Ag & Turf in the historic Fair Park Coliseum, with 900 riders participating; - Since 2018, nearly 12.8 million free admission tickets have been given to students and teachers throughout North Texas, and nearly 1,100 free admission tickets were donated to local nonprofit organizations; - Community members got crafty with over 12,000 entries in the Fair's Creative Arts competitions. More than 4,400 ribbons were awarded to folks celebrating their creativity this year. - More than 13,000 livestock entries were entered and processed by our team leading up to the Fair; - Fairgoers came together to donate more than 198,000 pounds of canned food during our 2024 "Feed the Need" promotion, which equated to more than 165,000 meals for the North Texas Food Bank to serve the community that fall; - Ag Awareness Day gathered more than 200 chapters of 4-H, FFA, and FCCLA to participate in the canned food drive, donating more than 30,000 pounds of food to the North Texas Food Bank; - The 76th Annual Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction raised more than $2 million for youth livestock exhibitors; - The Grand Champion Market Steer of the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction was sold to the Big Tex Champion Club for $180,000, a new single-record sale; - Free concerts were once again held on the Chevrolet Main Stage, with Los Pescadores, Jesse & Joy, Wyatt Flores, and The Commodores drawing the largest crowds; - The Fair hosted the Seventh Annual Juanita Craft Humanitarian Awards, awarding four individuals following in Mrs. Craft's footsteps, making a positive impact in their community and in civil rights efforts; - Sensory-Friendly Mornings were held for the sixth time this year for all three Wednesdays of the Fair - reducing noise and lights across the grounds to accommodate those with sensory-related concerns; - More than 144,000 fans were in attendance for State Fair Classic and the Allstate Red River Rivalry at the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium during the Fair; - The Kroger Starlight Parade featured brand-new floats that illuminated the Fairgrounds each night, with more than 800 riders adorning the floats during the processions; - Throughout the 24 days of the Fair, 3,099 activities happened across the fairgrounds; - 225 students across the Lone Star State were awarded scholarships through the Big Tex Scholarship Program, a total equaling more than $1.3 million; - Taking place the day after the Fair concludes, State Fair Cares partners with concessionaires and vendors to collect any leftover food to be donated to local food pantries and shelters. The 2024 food drive collected donations from 28 vendors, representing more than 100 booths throughout the fairgrounds. Donations were divided up and shared amongst eight South Dallas/Fair Park area organizations. These organizations included: Cornerstone Community Kitchen, Dallas Bethlehem Center, Inspired Vision Compassion Center, Jubilee Park Community Center, OurCalling, St. Paul United Methodist Church, T.R. Hoover CDC, and The Well Recovery Center. On top of the initiatives and donation programs that take place during the annual exposition, the State Fair of Texas continues to support our home, Fair Park, by contributing funds from our revenue. In 2024 alone, the State Fair of Texas contributed $19.5 million through philanthropic and Fair Park giving. Philanthropic and Fair Park Giving includes giving through community outreach programs, funding for the upkeep and historical preservation of Fair Park annual rent to the City of Dallas with the agreement that it must go towards the upkeep of Fair Park, and funding for other Fair Park improvements and State Fair operations. In addition, the State Fair of Texas' Community Giving Program offers opportunities for local nonprofits to receive financial support during dedicated cycles throughout the year. 133 organizations received more than $652,000 in project funding through grants and sponsorships in 2024. In addition to offering financial resources, our Community Affairs department connected local organizations to foster community relationships, form partnerships, and develop initiatives that work to make a positive impact. Our ability to serve and continue growing our scope of service is strengthened through the support of our fairgoers, relationships with like-minded organizations, and dedication of our State Fair team. The Fair's Big Tex Urban Farms is a mobile agriculture system comprised of portable planting beds and hydroponic systems housed in the heart of Fair Park. The mission of Big Tex Urban Farms is to create a food system that: - Invests financial and human capital into immediate Fair Park neighborhoods and companies; - Connects like-minded food-related organizations to each other; - Provides free, fresh, organic produce to entities focused on hunger issues and healthy