Tulsa State Fair

As a kid, I used to LOVE the fair. Now that I’m older, I see how much everything costs. The price for everything, just keeps going up. Honestly, this was more fun when Bell’s Amusement Park was still included in the fair. Ever since it was turn down, my viewpoints of the fair went down as well. The best parts about going here anymore are the food and seeing familiar people. Otherwise it’s overly crowded and over priced.

I love the fair. As a native Tulsan I’ve had more corn dogs here than I’d care to share. It’s a bit of a bummer that Bell’s is closed now, but they’s managed to accommodate with some crazy fun rides. BUTTER SCULPTURE, BABY!

Yaaass. Love the Tulsa State Fair.
There’s tons of food — variety and choice wise. Don’t like the looks of the turkey leg at that one booth? Go to one of the 5 other booths that have it! Prices are typical fair prices (aka high).
There are lots of things to look at inside the expo halls — from kitschy items you don’t really need to booths selling diving rocks.
PETTING ZOO. Deer!, goats, potbellied pigs, WALLBYS. The staff does a good job of keeping all their poop swept up also. And it’s free! In the same building are goats and pigs that are expecting/​had babies, an area you can watch dogs/​cats get spayed/​neutered (if you’re there at the right time), and the exhibit area for all the animals waiting for competition.
There are also a lot of rides and games. Prices seemed to average $ 5/​ride and game.
You can pay to park at the fairgrounds ($ 10) or take a shuttle from a lot of different locations throughout Tulsa.

The best food I ate at the fair was the marninated beef shish kebob. I had it when we just got there. But I shared it with the people I was with. It ruined me for any other fair food, it was THAT good. The shish kebab place is near the gate 8 entrance. I ended up getting it AGAIN on the way out! I took a picture of the stand so you can see what it looks like.
The exhibits were really cool. The people were so kind. I got my diamond ring cleaned for free. It is so sparkly now! I got to taste a lot of food and drink for free. One lady cleaned my glasses with this waxy stuff. Her demonstration was powerful. She showed how one half of a mirror would not fog.
I even went on some rides. My daughter-​in-​law and I went in this crazy fun house. At the end, they had this spinning tunnel. I was actually a little afraid to go through it but I made it through.
I had a great time and would def go again!

Much better this year! The fair seems to be larger than it has been in recent years and there are more options for food, entertainment, and the like.
My cousin and I attended the Tulsa State Fair last night and had a blast! I noticed there were many more coupons offered this year and lots more to do. We enjoyed the traditional favorites like corn dogs and popcorn. She also got a pulled pork sandwich and I ate her potato chips since she can’t have potatoes.
We checked out the vendors and were able to get many more free samples this year. In addition, everyone was so friendly and the weather was perfect!
We make it a tradition to come year after year and we will be coming back before the end of the fair for more Tulsa State Fair Fun!!!

If you love Tulsa and believe that bigger and better things are in store for this fine city, then you should not visit the Tulsa State Fair. This annual tradition seems to bring out the worst in each and every one of us — there are those who wear things that no one should ever wear, there are those who place their children on leashes, and there is an abundance of saturated fats and cholesterol.
Like most red-​blooded Americans, I enjoy a fair as much as anyone. The Texas State Fair in Dallas is a prime example of annual Americana that can be enjoyed by all. The Tulsa State Fair is basically a bunch of animals, food trucks, and lack of dignity all laid on pavement for a week and a half. The lack of human decency is beyond this writer’s imagination — why have so many (presumably great people) simply given up?
There are a few nice things about the fair. First, the unhealthy food really is pretty good. I’m always game for a turkey leg. Next, there are quite a few things to look at. From ribbon-​winning sheep to the next great kitchen innovation, there are many booths to explore. Finally, it is in Tulsa. Tulsa is a beautiful city with a rich heritage. Although this event doesn’t showcase these features, it is a tradition that I will begrudgingly participate in.
You’ll have to pay for parking or take a shuttle, but perhaps you should visit the fair at least once. If you like it, it will be back next year. If you don’t, I would avoid that part of town if at all possible because it will be absolute mayhem. The Tulsa State Fair is alright, but I wish it was an example of how truly great Tulsa, OK is.

I love the Tulsa State Fair! I have been going since I can remember. Of course, the fair was better when Bells was around, but it is still one of the great trademarks of Fall in Tulsa. We usually ride a shuttle from one of the many stops surrounding the fair. You can find free parking, so do not pay to park on the fairgrounds! We try to get to the fair early, to avoid the large crowds and the teenagers. We really enjoy walking through the main Expo Square building and the smaller buildings with exhibits. We also love all the great food. Corn dogs, ice cream, turkey legs… if it is unhealthy, you will find it at the fair. I don’t really ride any rides or play any games, but there are plenty to choose from and they vary in age/​height limit. Again, it does get pretty busy as the night wears on, so I would suggest the earlier you go the better!

I think people come for the food before the rides. It’s the best of both worlds & for as long as I’ve been here (& not to mention I was born here in Tulsa as well), this is my first time going. I could’ve went food crazy, easily, SO many options to choose from. As bad as I wanted to try everything, I just knew that I had to pace myself. All in all, I mainly went for the Donut Burger. I got the maple bacon one, which was two Krispy Kreme maple donuts, bacon, ground beef & cheese. As fattening it may seem, I didn’t feel guilty at all enjoying it! It was incredible. Wasn’t too sweet from the doubts, the cheese, bacon & meat balanced out the sweet & salty. I paced myself to get a corn dog but I just decided to get dessert, & what’s better than (other than something deep fried) a funnel cake?! Well, maybe the Maple Bacon funnel cake! Funnel cake was topped with maple syrup, bacon & powered sugar. Excellent! It was soft & crispy in the right areas, the right amount of syrup & bacon took it to another level. I waited to long to visit, now the last day for the fair is tomorrow & I’ll be working. Therefore, next year is no excuse for me not to visit more than once when the festivities come back around.

Not the grunge fest of old I remember. Much cleaner. People watching is still fun. Vendors indoors are more professional and less kitsch. Made in Oklahoma building is cool! Parking on site is $ 10 but seems worth it not to have to search forever for a neighborhood spot.

There is so much to enjoy. Unique eats, live animals and people watching galore.
Don’t get side tracked by the fake food or strange creations there is delicious crafted food in at the made in Oklahoma booths.
Yes, I get regular fair fare as well but the merchants have the best food and drinks to offer.
Pet a pony, ride a ride and catch up with old friends at this once a year celebration of all that is Tulsa.

I remember when i was a younger that everyone who worked the game tents would be smiling and interacting with you to get you to play… i didn’t see anything like that last year and that was the first time id been back to the state fair since 6 years ago. This time i seen a lot of food everywhere! Was amazed at how many food carts there were! Not complaining because what i had was so yummy but surprisingly i found myself missing the old times when the workers were smiling and getting you involved in what game they were working.
I guess everything changes. I did go on a couple of the rides, the Himalaya has been around since i could remember and has always been a blast. it just goes around and around but it always makes you giggle and smile :) There used to be some really cool workers back in the day that were so awesome they just really made it fun to ride… talking on their mics and interacting with everyone asking «you want it to go faster!!! scream!» stuff like this… this time the guy just stood there like he had better things to do… is a shame because it could of added more fun to the experience.
Well my fiancé & I might go again next year just to get out and about maybe… but we’ll see and hopefully there will be some happy workers who are more interactive and invite you in for a good time no matter what game or ride it is.

The ROTD made me remember the fair last year. Yes, there are a lot of scary people at the fair, but, if you use your head, you should be safe. If you don’t like the looks of the people making food, go somewhere else, there are lots of places selling food. It does only come around once a year, so only grinches would gripe about unhealthy food at the fair. The fair is for people watching, rides, food and rigged games. It is what it is, made for fun! Last year I finally decided to go on some rides. I don’t remember the ride, but it had arms and the little pods went in a circle, as well as the whole group of pods going in a circle. At first, I thought it was great fun, then I started wondering when the ride would be over, then I wondered if I vomited, the centrifical force of doing circles inside of circles put my husband in the middle of my fair food. When the gate keeper asked if I was young enough to go on the ride, instead of being offended, it should have been a tip off!

Food is great. They have a great log ride this year. Exhibits, shows are all worth checking out. The fair can be expensive but it is worth it.
On behalf of Tulsa and all of Oklahoma, let me apologize to all the carnies who were arrested/​harassed by the police for trying to make an honest living. (They sold a prize instead of making them play the game).

I love fairs and all thats involved. You really can’t complain about poor parking or long lines or bad fair food – It’s a FAIR! It’s expected. If you need to complain then you’ve lost what the experience truly is. Being from Texas and this my first visit, I found this fair clean with a lot to offer. A million booths with food on a stick and lots of fun rides.
This fair is much bigger than some i’ve been too and not that expensive for what it is: A Fair. Enjoy!

What’s the deal with the awful reviews guys??? A fair is a fair is a fair. What are you expecting? This ain’t no fancy gala or nothin, it’s the Tulsa state fair! Pass the corn dog!
Seriously though, the reason to come to the fair is for the free people watching and the fried food on a stick. Sure, you can buy frozen corndogs at your local reasors, but there is something about the foot long fried corndog that makes the fair a bit more magical. I also recommend the spiral spuds, fried Oreos, and donut bun burger. I’m definitely cheating on my diet, but come on people, the state fair only comes around once a year…
I’m not big on scary carnie rides and games, but I’m totally into the people watching and all of the fried delicacies. Pass the corndog!

Though the fair is kinda dirty and has horrible fair food, it’s pretty fun! The exhibits are a great if you want to be inside and just hang out. And they always have a couple good singers who come and play at night.

Actually pretty frightening. What with the druggies running the rides and cooking your food, I think I will be passing in the future.
Lookup meth head, if you look like the picture, then you will love it. Take a weapon.

Okay, I’ll confess. I haven’t been to the Tulsa State Fair in two years. It seems I’m not alone in that distinction. After several years of record attendance, the turnstile figures have gone down the past two years.
Is it just a coincidence that Bell’s was destroyed by the Fairgrounds Authority a little over two years ago? No. There are many of us who will not go back until the house is completely cleaned there and the Murphy Brothers midway contract is voided and put up for open and transparent competitive bidding.
Yeah, call me a grinch. But something rotten has been going on for a long, long time at the fairgrounds and I no longer care to step in it.