State Fair of Texas ends, leftover food donated

DALLAS - The 2015 State Fair of Texas wrapped up for the 129th time Sunday night and set a new record.

At least 3 million people attend the fair every year. There isn’t a final headcount on this year yet, but organizers said they believe it was the busiest fair in its history.

“In terms of coupon sales last year we set a record of $42 million in coupon sales. And we know at this point that we have broken that record,” said Karissa Condoianis with the State Fair of Texas.

Organizers estimate the coupon sales for food and rides this year totaled $53.5 million.

Fairgoers also donated more than 300,000 pounds of canned goods that will go to help feed North Texans.

Also Monday morning the fair concessionaires for the first time ever were allowed to donate boxes of leftover food, including the award-winning fried carrot cake, to charity.

“They could bring anything from turkey legs all the way to pancake batter, which I think will be really needed in some shelters and kitchens. It’ll be really exciting to see what shows up. I told them nothing is too small,” Condoianis said.

Trucks took the food to CitySquare, a non-profit organization in Dallas. About 900 needy students at Woodrow Wilson High School will also get a portion of the food.

Next year’s fair kicks off on Sept. 30.

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