Sticker Shock At The Tulsa State Fair: Fair Food Prices Raise Eyebrows

When folks enter the Tulsa State Fair, a line of food trucks serving everything from funnel cakes to corn dogs makes them want to dive in right away.

“We’re definitely gonna get some chicken on a stick,” said Colton Hart. “And a funnel cake,” added his girlfriend, Ashlynn Willey.

But many are shocked when they discover the costs of the beloved treats.

“This was $18, but another venue down there has it for $21,” said Danya Julson about a turkey leg she bought.

Some people come prepared.

“Today, I brought like $100,” said Grace Sartin.

And some go over budget. Hart and Willey paid $9 for their drink.

“I think it’s definitely too high for some mango lemonade,” said Hart.

BJ Fickling runs McKinney Food Services and serves all the fair fixings.

“You can’t go to a fair and not eat a corn dog or a funnel cake; it just wouldn’t be a fair if it wasn’t for the food,” he said.

He says those food prices help pay for ingredients and labor, and it’s all in an effort to keep the business afloat.

“It’s a little bit of the mix, and then also rent and everything else falls into that,” said Fickling.

And after all, the 11 Days of Awesome only come once a year.

“We’re kind of willing to spend a little extra money,” said Julson.

It’s just all part of the Tulsa State Fair experience.

“I’m like, ‘Oh dang, I probably shouldn’t have spent that money,’ but then I’m also like, well, it happens once a year; money comes and goes,” said Sartin.