This Year's State Fair Shatters Records

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - This year's State Fair of Texas came to an end on Sunday, and it is already being called a huge success. The old records for sales and attendance were shattered as the fair's 24-day run concluded.

Workers spent Sunday night cleaning up after the last visitors had left Fair Park. But it was the vendors who really cleaned up, with coupon sales.

The attendance was so great that it created really long lines at coupon booths. When asked about the lines, Arlington resident Brian Bradshaw could only offer curse words. But those lines did not stop Bradshaw -- and tens of thousands of others -- from standing in them on Sunday, putting a cherry on top of records that had already been broken.

Coupon sales exceeded last year's $42 million record on Friday. "This is now the most successful fair in the 129-year history of the State Fair of Texas," said fair spokeswoman Karissa Condoianas.

Fair visitors use the coupons for rides, games and those irresistible fried foods. Dallas resident Kate Siamro explained, "Every year, I go through the list of fried foods, starting with the carrot cake."

Getting coupons was only half of the battle. If you wanted a fast bite of a Fletcher's Corny Dog, well, it wasn't happening. "But it is worth the wait, definitely," said Melissa Barton, who endured the line.

The demand was so great at some booths that vendors actually ran out of ingredients needed for familiar fair staples. Some of them had to make quick runs to outside retailers to keep up with their customers. However, for the first time, food that is left over will be donated to local food pantries.

Fair officials are expected to give more detailed information Monday about the success of this year's event.