TULSA, Okla. — Before people can ride the thrilling rides on the midway, they have to take a ride to Expo Square.
2 News listened to fairgoers’ thoughts on the parking situation at the Tulsa State Fair.
“It’s twenty freaking dollars to park up in there,” fairgoer Ana Cordrey said.
“I think it’s worth it,” another fairgoer said, who paid to park in the main lot.
Around 4 p.m. on Oct. 2, cars filled up the streets of a neighborhood right across the street from Expo Square with people trying to avoid the $20 fee.
People like Cordrey and her friend Jazlyn Peckenpaugh. They made the short walk to Expo Square right after speaking to 2 News.
“Better than paying $20 to park over there,” Peckenpaugh said.
2 News asked Amanda Blair, VP of Expo Square and the Tulsa State Fair, some questions about the parking situation.
She said the parking is top of mind for officials, “every year, we look at how we can improve and be better for the future."
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One grandmother who spoke with 2 News said she saw no room for improvement.
“It went smoothly, got a parking spot easily,” she said, “And people were taking our credit card, which makes it neat, you didn’t have to use cash.”
Still, Peckenapaugh is not convinced.
“I’m not paying $20 to park at the fair, I’m sorry,” Peckenpaugh said.
For fairgoers who don’t want to walk or pay, they can take a free shuttle from the Tulsa Public School Education Service Center near 31st and New Haven.
For the people paying, 2 News heard from some who said they couldn’t find a spot. Blair said that shouldn’t be the case.
“The lots are continuously monitored, we do have staff in the lots, on golf carts,” Blair said, “So they do not allow somebody into the lot unless they have identified there is an open space.”
Naturally, the parking can become more challenging over the weekend. Cordrey suggests avoiding it altogether.
“I mean, just come during the day because it’s not as crowded,” Cordrey said, “At night, it’s packed, you got to wait in that line for 30 minutes, I swear.”
Parking can be a little expensive or a little far. At the end of the day, thousands of people still found their way to the midway.
With a little patience, or preparation, thousands of other fairgoers can too.
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