The Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair, set to run from September 19 to 27 at Kay Rodgers Park in Fort Smith, is projected to generate between $7 million and $7.5 million in economic impact for the region.
A significant portion of this impact stems from consumer activity during the nine-day event, including the sale of at least 75,000 corn dogs—averaging over 8,300 per day.
Kelly Clark, the fair’s volunteer chairman, anticipates attendance between 135,000 and 150,000. He attributes the event’s regional significance to its broad reach, benefiting local hotels, gas stations, retail outlets, and restaurants. “Few other events in Fort Smith match its scale,” Clark noted, having chaired the fair for a decade.
Each year, 70 to 80 vendors participate, many sourcing supplies locally—especially food providers, due to perishability. “Most vendors buy in the area, and the volume they move is substantial,” Clark explained, citing the corn dog vendor’s estimate of 75,000 units sold.
The fair also draws agricultural participants from across the region. This year features 1,653 livestock exhibits, primarily from students, and on September 24, over 1,350 Future Farmers of America (FFA) members from more than 100 schools across 32 counties will take part in judging contests.
“Our mission includes supporting youth with show animals and offering competitive opportunities for FFA students,” Clark said.
Organized by the Arkansas-Oklahoma Regional Education and Promotion Association—which also runs the Old Fort Days Rodeo—the fair plays a key role in regional engagement and economic stimulation.
Nationally, fairs contribute significantly to local economies. According to a study by the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE), based on data from nearly 1,400 fairgrounds:
Southern U.S. fairs generate:
• 36.2 million visitors
• $10.1 billion in economic impact
• 721,170 hotel stays
• 79,500 sustained jobs
• $3.4 billion in wages
• $259.1 million in state tax revenue from sales and lodging
Nationwide, the figures are even larger:
• 219.8 million attendees—64.8% of the population
• $51.9 billion in economic impact
• 2.8 million hotel room nights
• 393,000 ongoing jobs
• $17.6 billion in wages
• $1.3 billion in state fiscal gains from taxes
— news from Talk Business & Politics
— News Original —
Oklahoma State Fair economic impact could be more than $7 million
Part of the estimated $7 million to $7.5 million economic impact of the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair includes the sale during the fair of at least 75,000 corn dogs – or more than 8,300 each day of the nine-day event. n nThe fair, located at Kay Rodgers Park at 4400 Midland Blvd., in Fort Smith, begins Friday (Sept. 19) and wraps up on Sept. 27. (Link here for the daily schedule and list of events and attractions.) n nKelly Clark, the volunteer chairman of the fair, said the group estimates between 135,000 and 150,000 people will attend the fair, and he estimated the annual benefit to the metro economy at between $7 million and $7.5 million. n n“That is just an estimate, but I also did some queries with other fairs about our size and that’s in the range of what they are reporting,” said Clark, who has been fair chairman for 10 years. “I’d say the areas that really benefit are the hotels, gas stations, the retail, and the restaurants. It’s a big event for Fort Smith. I’m not sure of any event that’s larger. It’s a nine-day deal, and it brings in thousands through here every day.” n nPart of the impact comes from the 70-80 fair vendors each year, Clark said, with many of the vendors buying supplies – especially the food vendors – in the area. n n“The majority of our vendors, I would say buy local, especially buys food here in the area because of the perishability of the products. … Those food vendors run through a lot of volume,” Clark said, adding that the corn dog vendor told him they sell at least 75,000 corn dogs during the fair. n nThe fair also brings in livestock exhibitors from a wide region. Clark said this year there are 1,653 livestock exhibits, with most of those being school students. Also, there are 1,350 Future Farmers of America (FFA) students from more than 100 schools coming in on Sept. 24 to participate in judging contests. The schools are from 32 counties in Arkansas and Oklahoma, Clark said. n n“That’s a lot, and that’s kind of why we’re here to help these kids (who have show animals), and to provide that (contest opportunity) for those (FFA) students,” Clark said. n nThe fair is sponsored by the Arkansas-Oklahoma Regional Education and Promotion Association. The association also sponsors the annual Old Fort Days Rodeo. n nNATIONAL FAIR IMPACT n nThe International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) recently posted an economic impact study of U.S. fairs and fairgrounds that indicates almost 400,000 jobs nationwide are supported by fairs and events at fairgrounds. Information for the study was gathered from the data of nearly 1,400 fairgrounds. n n“This comprehensive study provides valuable insight into the economic and fiscal contributions in the host communities of fairs and fairgrounds, showcasing significant numbers across various facets, including visitors, revenues, wages, employment, and more,” the IAFE noted in a press release. n nFollowing are study results for fairs and fairgrounds in the South. n n• 36.2 million visitors n n• $10.1 billion in economic impact n n• 721,170 hotel room nights generated n n• 79,500 ongoing jobs sustained n n• $3.4 billion wages created n n• $259.1 million state fiscal impact from sales and hotel tax revenues n nFollowing are the nationwide study results. n n• 219.8 million visitors – 64.8% of the population attended a fair or fairgrounds n n• $51.9 billion in economic impact n n• 2.8 million hotel room nights generated n n• 393,000 ongoing jobs sustained n n• $17.6 billion wages created n n• $1.3 billion state fiscal impact from sales and hotel tax revenues