2022 State Fair of Texas wraps up its 24-day run with big numbers. Here’s how many pounds of sugar were used to make all that cotton candy

The State Fair of Texas wrapped up its 24-day 2022 run Sunday with breezy weather and plenty of families strolling the midway. The Fair says nearly 2.5 million people visited this year; count me among them. 2,166 people participated in cooking contests (I judged two of the contests this year, awarding blue ribbons to winners). Big Tex turned 70. Fletchers served 583,000 corny dogs. 280,000 Texas teachers received vouchers for free admission. The Fair’s livestock and agricultural events hosted a total of more than 16,000 livestock entries (Fair animals consumed more than 24,000 pounds of hay during the run of the Fair’s livestock shows and events; the Grand Champion Market Steer of the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction was sold for $130,000).

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Fair says its goal is to support the community, using proceeds to preserve and improve Fair Park, support college scholarship programs  and Fair Park’s museums, and help improve State Fair operations.

“At its core, the State Fair of Texas is about community,” said State Fair of Texas President, Mitchell Glieber said in a press release. “There is nothing more fulfilling for our team than seeing folks from all walks of life gather together and mutually share and enjoy the Fair. Thanks to our fairgoers visiting, we are able to fulfill our nonprofit mission of supporting agriculture, education, and community involvement year-round.”

A few more notables:

More than 90,000 pounds of pure cane sugar was used to make State Fair Cotton Candy during the Fair.
Fairgoers joined 100 celebrity chefs who brought their culinary creations to the Celebrity Chef Demo Kitchen.
More than 430,000 plush prizes, valued at over $1.47 million, were won on the State Fair Midway.
Strongman Mighty Mike juggled three 10-pound bowling balls for 20 seconds, breaking the Guinness World Record/The Livestock Birthing Barn celebrated 60 animal births throughout the run of the Fair.
More than 146,000 fans attended the State Fair Classic and the AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl Stadium.
More than 12.7 million kernels of popcorn were popped in 24 days at the Pioneer Kettle Korn stand.
More than 11,000 pieces of pyrotechnics were used during the nightly Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation fireworks show.
More than 131,000 people visited the Hall of State to enjoy two exhibits, Mavs Vault and 100 Years, 100 Stories: 100th Anniversary of the Dallas Historical Society.
The 2022 Texas Auto Show attracted more than 2.16 million visitors during the 24-day run.

The 2023 State Fair of Texas is set for Friday, September 29 through Sunday, October 22, 2023.