04-04-2025
East Texas State Fair hopes for economic impact from Pro-Rodeo
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – The East Texas State Fair made a historic move on Wednesday.
'For 113 years, the East Texas State Fair has been deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of Tyler and East Texas,' East Texas State Fair chairman Michael Stoltz said.
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2024 was a big year for the East Texas State Fair, not only did they move locations, but they saw more guests than ever before.
'We experienced record attendance days at the fair with overall attendance of over 100,000 visitors,' Stoltz said.
Businesses around the new fair grounds like the CEFCO gas station down the road said more traffic has brought in more sales. On Wednesday, the fair announced they would be bringing in even more traffic by adding a pro-rodeo to their line-up.
'This first year, we're expecting over $100,000 payout, for a first year rodeo that's outstanding,' Pickett Pro Rodeo owner Cullen Pickett said.
The fair plans to build a temporary 2,500 seat arena, and they hope to pack it every night. It will also be one of the last qualifying events for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
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'There's going to be a lot of world champions here, there's going to be a lot of decisions made about who goes to the National Finals Rodeo from this rodeo here,' Pickett said.
When it came to choosing the dates for the rodeo, the president of the East Texas State Fair said the goal is to attract more people from start to finish.
'On the second weekend is when we really hit max capacity, so we know we are prepared to handle an additional 2500 visitors based on what we do in the second weekend of the fair,' East Texas State Fair president/CEO Cody Rosenbalm said.
He added that the rodeo will bring extra weekend of business for the city.
'I know the impact of rodeo in East Texas is going to be phenomenal,' City of Tyler Mayor Don Warren said.
The East Texas State Fair will run from Sept. 19 through Sept. 28, with the rodeo kicking things off during the first three days.
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