TULSA, Okla. — The 2 News listening booth at the Tulsa State Fair gives everyone an opportunity to share issues impacting them and their communities.
It also gives 2 News a chance to share those stories.
Susan McBrien's funnel cake stands have been a staple at the Tulsa State Fair for 43 years.
This year she's worried about the economy and her bottom line. She talked to 2 News about it.
"The state fair — it's sometimes a vacation for families. And as prices have increased, we sometimes hear a lot about, well, I can't afford to go to the State Fair, or we can only come one day," she said. "Hey, that's less sales. We often see this in election years that people are a little bit uncertain, they're hanging onto their dollars a little tighter. I can't fix the economy, but I can sympathize with them."
There are 440 product and food vendors at this year's fair. Only a fraction are what the fair's operator calls "repeaters" like Susan — just 10% of product vendors and 5% of food vendors.
Whether they're always at the fair or first timers, they're all hoping to not just break even, but make a profit — which can be tough.
"You know the weekdays are a little slow," toy vendor Dale Irwin said. "But the weekends are really good."
Vendors are not the only ones depending on a good run at the fair to make ends meet.
Jeremy Barden earns a chunk of his annual income working at the Lickety Split ice cream stand. This is his 13th year scooping and selling.
"Seems like it used to be a little bit busier," Jeremy said, "It's kinda died down a little, but not too bad."
He echoed what other vendors told 2 News, when the weather is good people feel better about wandering through the midway and booths shopping and eating — so they're hoping for bright, sunny days to help them brighten their bottom lines.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- SUBSCRIBE on YouTube
