I know that is true for smaller car shows, but the ones I've been to in Cincinnati and Dallas seem like the cars were provided by corporate. Of course, if you have no dealership for a car in town, why would they bring the car either way.Ours are provided by our local dealers. I'm there when they bring them in.

Ours are provided by our local dealers. I'm there when they bring them in.

Yeah, I know, I was including OKC and Tulsa in the "smaller car shows." It would be nice if we could get one along the lines of Cincinnati's.

Outside chance: Exterior of MAPS 3 expo center should be done before State Fair

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record May 24, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma State Fair attendees will not have to worry about MAPS 3 Expo Center work this year.

MAPS 3 Project Manager David Todd said the construction team is contractually obligated to turn over the building’s exterior to State Fair Park before the annual event. The fair runs Sept. 15-25 this year. Last year, attendees had to wind through detours around the site.

The building measures 201,000 square feet. It includes a 12,000-square-foot lobby, concession areas, a ticketing space and a commercial kitchen.

It expected to be complete Sept. 5. Fairgrounds manager Tim O’Toole said at Tuesday’s MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Board fairgrounds subcommittee meeting that there is still a lot to do before the building is complete. He reminded the group that this is the 21st month of a projected 18-month build. The project is 84 percent complete.

He said the general contractor ordered glass doors this week, and they won’t arrive for another six weeks. The air conditioning and heating system can’t be tested until the building is sealed with doors and windows and the concrete floor is installed.

“There are some issues,” O’Toole said. “They can be overcome, but they have to be paid attention to. There is a great deal of very precise and quality work that needs to be done.”

Todd said that three months ago the ongoing checklist had 88 items on it, but at the meeting there were only 17. He said he wouldn’t be surprised if about 17 items remain on the list until the building is completed.

One task was to check the paint quality. Todd said a pull-off test was performed this week on multiple paint surfaces. During the test, a device is adhered to the painted surface. If the paint comes with it when pulled, then it’s not properly applied. Todd said all the tested surfaces have passed.

“There are still come issues, but it’s a big construction project,” Todd said. “We feel like it’s going well right now.”

The next step is pouring the interior concrete floor. Quality Control Manager Wes Brannon, an architect with Frankfurt Short Bruza, said it will take eight weeks to complete the slab. The floor is 8 inches thick. It is poured at 400 cubic yards per day, and the pouring occurs three times per week.

Todd said previously that the floor was poured last to protect it from construction accidents. There is no cover on the floor, so any damage to the concrete would be seen.

Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Mike Carrier said his office has already heard from trade shows that are ready to book an event at the new center.

While the expo building is wrapping up, the city is about to build the $274 million convention center downtown. Carrier said the expo center will attract consumer-driven shows, while the convention center will serve as a place for trade-group meetings or youth sports events. With the Chesapeake Energy Arena next to the convention center, he said a general-assembly-type meeting with a trade show could also be held, ultimately drawing up to 15,000 people.

He said the two large facilities will help the city in the future.

“It plays to our benefit to have two buildings that are similar in some regard but very different in others,” Carrier said.

I hope the convention center construction goes a lot better than the Expo Center construction.

Flat attendance predicted for state’s fairs

By: Brian Brus The Journal Record August 25, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – The new Expo Center building at State Fair Park won’t be finished by fair time, officials said this week.

However, State Fair management prepared well in advance of the Sept. 15-25 event to ensure the loss of about 280,000 square feet of exhibit space won’t be noticed by vendors, park President Tim O’Toole said. About 45 product sales booths will be relocated to other spots in the park protected by roofing.

Paving near the Expo Center has been finished and will provide more space for carnival rides and food stands, he said.

The $58.7 million in upgrades made possible by the MAPS 3 sales tax are necessary to keep the park competitive for more than just two weeks of the year, O’Toole said. The livestock barns and other buildings are also used for horse shows, expositions and attractions such as Disney On Ice. Last year’s Frozen ice skating tour was a huge success, he said, but added that the park can’t rely on pop culture trends as it fights for its share of the entertainment market against other venues, sports and electronic games.

Projections suggest flat attendance this year compared with about 900,000 people in 2015, O’Toole said.

“In speaking with our counterparts across the country, if they haven’t been impacted by a weather event such as flood or excessive heat, attendance at fairs has been on par with prior years. Those of us who operate in the oil and gas industry, our fairs are just coming up, so we’ll see,” O’Toole said, adding that Houston and San Antonio fairs at the beginning of the year were attendance successes.

“If you look at the totality of our economy and all the other things going on, if we’re able to maintain status quo, we’d consider that a good year for us,” he said.

According to a market analysis by SmartAssets financial data company, both Tulsa and Oklahoma City fairs are ranked in the top 10 best fairs of the country. Researchers came to their conclusions by a combination of per capita attendance rates, ticket prices, event length and average daily precipitation. Tulsa beat Oklahoma City in the rankings due to stronger attendance last year, SmartAssets reported.

This year, the Tulsa State Fair will run Sept. 29 to Oct. 9 at Expo Square. Fair spokeswoman Sarah Thompson said officials are expecting slightly more than 1 million visitors, equal with attendance for the last five years. That’s OK, though, she said, because the park hasn’t expanded either. A new livestock barn is expected in the next couple of years, she said.

“We have to ask ourselves if we’re remaining true to the traditions and heritage that fairs were built on, such as our livestock shows,” she said. “And we do understand that you have to bring new things each year. We work with industry partners to bring new exhibits and attractions to freshen up our shows and provide a good variety of acts to attract all age groups.”

Both Tulsa and Oklahoma City fair officials said their ticket prices and sales promotions aren’t changing from 2015.

I think the obvious emphasis on the non-fair attractions/uses for the fairgrounds in OKC has taken its toll. Some of us used to enjoy the fair; it was a great annual family tradition. Other priorities trumped, and the fair has suffered for it. The Fair is now just incidental to all the other uses for the Fairgrounds. Alas. C'est la vie.

I have been to several concerts during the fair in the past years (Sevendust, Blue October, Third Eye Blind) and the lineup this year is just terrible to me. Usually, there is one good rock band, but this year it is Kentucky Headhunters, Leon Russell, The Oak Ridge Boys, Building 429, Elvis Extravaganza, Montgomery Gentry, Eli Young Band, Granger Smith, Midnight Star, Deniis DeYoung and Beatlemania Live. I have literally only heard of three of those bands (besides the Beatle cover, obviously) and could not pick out any one of their songs. I am curious if there is an issue with the construction going on so they aren't able to bring in other bands. I would love for our fair to get to Minnesota State Fair music levels. This year MSF has Charlie Wilson, G. Love and the Special Sauce, Dixie Chicks, Demi Lovato, Weezer, WAR and Bonnie Raitt performing. Even the Washington state fair has Kid Rock, Tim McGraw, For King and Country, DNCE, X Ambassadors, Alan Jackson, Gavin DeGraw, Dierks Bentley, Jeff Foxworthy/Larry the Cable Guy and Train.

I think the obvious emphasis on the non-fair attractions/uses for the fairgrounds in OKC has taken its toll. Some of us used to enjoy the fair; it was a great annual family tradition. Other priorities trumped, and the fair has suffered for it. The Fair is now just incidental to all the other uses for the Fairgrounds. Alas. C'est la vie.

Agree,

There hasn't been any effort to bring back some of the iconic structures that once defined the State Fair of Oklahoma like the monorail, or space tower. We understand that the old Grand Stands won't be replaced because of the noise level.

There are so many more things on this 400 acre tract of land that could be built; especially since the city owns the land. The 1982 Knoxville World's Fair used less than 70 acres of land.

A replacement (feasibility study) for the ancient 51 year old State Fair Arena sounds encouraging.

We abandoned the idea of a World Fair back in 1989 for the U. S. Olympic Festival. People not in the know thought that our fairgrounds wasn't big enough. Had we landed the World Fair in '89, we would have built many buildings and exhibits that would be standing today--the Fair would have had the largest acreage of any World Fair built upon. We have got to start thinking 'Big.' Get away from this small town mentality.


Organizers want a mass transit system for the exposition to link Will Rogers World Airport with the fairgrounds and downtown Oklahoma City, plus the Cowboy Hall of Fame and the String of Pearls, a series of parks planned along the North Canadian River.

The Oklahoma City Council is considering a feasibility study of a light rail system, with priority given to linking the central business district to the fairgrounds at NW 10 and May.

These ideas aren't knew; we didn't believe in ourselves at the time.

Here's the 1982 link: http://newsok.com/article/1993372

So attendance to the fair is predicted to be flat? Is anyone really suprised?

After the massive gutting the fair took several years ago. . .

Tearing down the grandstand
Tearing down the Monorail
Abandoning the Space Needle
Selling off the Carriage collection
Downsizing the fair

What more could they do to prevent the thing from happening? They have cut all semblence of legacy to the fair for 95% of Oklahoma city. I am 57 and grew up going to the fair in the early 60's when they built all that "stuff" it was always an annual event that we looked forward to attending as a family.

Not anymore. . the OKC fair has all the attraction of Somebody is using a drill to excavate your ingrown toenail.

There is nothing special about it. Even the Tulsa fair has more interest.

Which raises an interesting question. WHAT are they going to do with the fair this year? Shuffle the midway off to the earthen parking lot to the South? Perhaps a mini fair, with 2 rides and three food trucks? Or maybe they will bring in one of the mini shows to the parking lot of a local Taco Bell?

There is very little at any fair that you can't see or experience elsewhere now. Tons more festivals, carnivals and car shows these days.

I suspect attendance at most such fairs is on a downward trajectory.

The thing that appears to limit some poster's attendance is their own nostalgia. I didn't live here when any of that existed, and yet I love going and taking my kids.

^

No question about it.

There is nothing wrong with preferring the old buildings and feel but that in itself doesn't make the fair any worse, just different.

And to most people who go, they don't even notice or care about the difference.

I miss the nostalgia and hate that they have pretty much taken away any structure that make me think of the state fair of my youth. but I still go and have a good time. Many things have changed however as it seems there are less exhibits of prize winning entries and more commercial craft show type booths. But all things change and the world has changed. My grandmother always had prize winning flowers and was always fun for us to see as kids. But you can't argue with the unlimited people watching available.

I haven't been in at least 30 years and look forward to going in September.

I was recently on the grounds for an auto show, so I've seen first-hand what is still there and what isn't, so that part won't be a surprise.

I'll hate to see the old arena go but that is incredibly selfish because I haven't been in it in at least 30 years.

The fair lost some people who would have gone to the fair because of dirt track racing, but the fair would still have flat attendance year after year regardless of that. How much money can you really pump into an event that happens one and a half weeks per year? The space needle and monorail were kind of cool, but really don't have an impact on me when deciding to go to the fair. Maybe pre-2000 OKC, they would, but the city has a lot more to offer these days.

The fair lost some people who would have gone to the fair because of dirt track racing, but the fair would still have flat attendance year after year regardless of that. How much money can you really pump into an event that happens one and a half weeks per year? The space needle and monorail were kind of cool, but really don't have an impact on me when deciding to go to the fair. Maybe pre-2000 OKC, they would, but the city has a lot more to offer these days.

The fairgrounds are in use year round and most major expensive changes cater to uses outside of just the state fair.

The fairgrounds are in use year round and most major expensive changes cater to uses outside of just the state fair.

I think he means the monorail and space needle were only used for the state fair, so pumping money to keep those two attractions in running order for two weeks is a waste of money.

I think he means the monorail and space needle were only used for the state fair, so pumping money to keep those two attractions in running order for two weeks is a waste of money.
You could be right and I have no problem with that argument.

Yeah, I was talking about the state fair specific attractions.

I think at least part of the fair should have some old fashioned state fair stuff. By that, I'm thinking like in the 1945 movie State Fair. I know the fair still has stuff like prize winning pies, etc. But that stuff is difficult find at our fair. I think that might help with some of the old nostalgia stuff even if some of the old fair like the grand stands and monorail are gone. Make it feel like an old fashioned family atmosphere. I'm not saying that the entire fair needs to be like that but at least have a healthy portion of it be like that.

I think he means the monorail and space needle were only used for the state fair, so pumping money to keep those two attractions in running order for two weeks is a waste of money.I disagree. I think having a unique state fair with a monorail, Space Needle, race tracks, etc. is worth the investment and I would love to see it brought back someday.

I think he means the monorail and space needle were only used for the state fair, so pumping money to keep those two attractions in running order for two weeks is a waste of money.

https://cdn.meme.am/instances/500x/71414449.jpg

We need to scrap what's left of it.

The 200 ft., Space Needle at State Fair Park is old & obsolete. If you want a space needle (observatory tower) downtown; we need to build something new with 3x the height.

We need to scrap what's left of it.

The 200 ft., Space Needle at State Fair Park is old & obsolete. If you want a space needle (observatory tower) downtown; we need to build something new with 3x the height.3x (or 600') would be an optimal height. One of the best views downtown is from the Petroleum Club. Here's an aerial video we shot downtown as the drone climbed from 350' to 1,200'. It will provide some perspective. https://vimeo.com/180642084

Would love to see a contemporary space needle/observatory replacement. The State Fair of Texas did this a few years ago and the thing is incredible.

There will be a strong storm come through the next 5-10 years and knock it over. . .

There is very little at any fair that you can't see or experience elsewhere now. Tons more festivals, carnivals and car shows these days.

I suspect attendance at most such fairs is on a downward trajectory.

Bingo. The things they've torn out are what helped make the Fair unique and attractive. Take those things away, and it's just like all the other generic attractions all over town. Fostering and encouraging some semblance of that uniqueness really isn't a waste of money. Giant slides, a space needle replacement, something unique and distinctive that you *can't* get anywhere else on a day-to-day basis...

There will be a strong storm come through the next 5-10 years and knock it over. . .
LOL.. I hope this was meant to be funny.. because it is.
I would love to see the Space needle replaced by a new modern version if it is not salvageable ( which they keep saying is the case ).. I would like it to retain the theme and name of Arrows to Atoms tower.

LOL.. I hope this was meant to be funny.. because it is.
I would love to see the Space needle replaced by a new modern version if it is not salvageable ( which they keep saying is the case ).. I would like it to retain the theme and name of Arrows to Atoms tower.

Yes, funny. :D

Just don't see the feasibility (IMHO) of building a huge space tower at the fairground since that whole operation has been trending toward the horse industry.


Oklahoma City Skydance Tower
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okshores.jpg
Coordinate the lighting of the tower with the skydance bridge.

If you're going do build a space (observation) tower, say like 600 ft., or higher; put something close to downtown like near the AICCM to build up the tourism options in that area.

A great view of downtown skyline (OKC memorial, skydance bridge) that would include Bricktown (ballpark, coop mill site, Land run monument), Wheeler district would be better utilization with a space needle observation tower. Maybe the Chickasaws would like to take this project on as a part of their development package with the AICCM.

Oklahoma City will have a taste of Seattle, Charlotte & San Antonio as we add iconic pieces to our area; especially those that impact the skyline. We still need to continue to develop our Oklahoma hospitality charm.

I realize I'm a bit of a fuddy-duddy in all this, maybe even a neanderthal, but I think some things outside downtown deserve attention, too. If we come up with a replacement for the space needle, let's keep it in the fairgrounds. If we really get to the point where we think anything but haybails and horsebarns are the only thing worth buying for the fairgrounds, let's just bury the fair along with it and get past the pretense.

If we really get to the point where we think anything but haybails and horsebarns are the only thing worth buying for the fairgrounds, let's just bury the fair along with it and get past the pretense.

I don't think anyone has argued that they're the only thing worth buying. They just have to best ROI of anything else at the fairgrounds.

If there was something that could increase the number of hotel room nights during the fair similar to some of the horse shows, I think it would be worth doing. I'm just not sure what would bring in people from all over the world and stay and eat in OKC for whole 2 weeks. I would think it would have to be event related to get that.

Does anyone know why no hotels have ever been built around the fairgrounds? I would think on the east side of May would be a good location.

Does anyone know why no hotels have ever been built around the fairgrounds? I would think on the east side of May would be a good location.

You'd think there would be a few in the area by now; probably has a lot to do with success and reputable service of the Meridian Hotel corridor. You'll see many trailers during horse show events in designated areas of the parking lots for the hotels on Meridian.

Ah, the classy Biltmore Horse Hotel.

Does anyone know why no hotels have ever been built around the fairgrounds? I would think on the east side of May would be a good location.
Probably because that would be a poor location for hotels when events are not happening at the fairgrounds and hotels want to maximize booked room nights.

I agree with those who say the State Fair should have something nostalgic that differentiates itself from the many offerings the city has. Why doesn't OKC take a queue from Dallas and refurbish the Fairgrounds to be multiple uses AND have a nice, huge fair? As somebody mentioned, there is plenty of unused land that could be better managed thereby better utilizing the site.

I totally agree with Plu and others that the monorail, space needle, and speedway should be reconstructed (to modern standards) and serve as points of nostalgia for the actual fair (and they could be used for other days). What about the old skyway that encircled the fair? To me, it should have permanent attractions that showcase the site, the city, and 'fair-going' and not JUST be dedicated to horse shows with the fair as an afterthought.

OR one thing OKC could do is just give up on the State Fair and give it to Tulsa (since they also have a 'State Fair' and they now do better at it). If OKC is just focused on filling hotel rooms with horse events, then make the site year round and lose the fair altogether - Seattle did something similar with the Seattle Center (former World's Fair site) by conceding the annual 'fair' a while ago to Puyallup (a suburb of Tacoma).

And someone mentioned the fairs are likely declining, I totally disagree with that statement. At least in the Seattle area, the State Fair of Washington is the biggest and best it's ever been. It began as the Pullalyp Fair (which sucked when I moved to Seattle back in the early 1990s) then became the Western Washington Fair in the later 1990s and (now I believe it is the SFW); hugely successful over time.

I last went to the fair in mid 2000s with my then girlfriend from Seattle and was horribly embarrassed at what it had become, particularly when I had told her the OK State Fair was 'all that' based on my growings-up. ...

I can think of two sayings wrt the fair in OKC: "Go big or Go Home!" and "Put up or Shut the thing Up." I hope there's a master plan after the horse stuff is built to better utilize the site AND pay some attention to the actual Fair use beyond the laughable excuse it is now (my opinion).

Ah, the classy Biltmore Horse Hotel.

Drove by there recently and there were practically no cars around it. How does that place stay in business?

I agree with those who say the State Fair should have something nostalgic that differentiates itself from the many offerings the city has. Why doesn't OKC take a queue from Dallas and refurbish the Fairgrounds to be multiple uses AND have a nice, huge fair? As somebody mentioned, there is plenty of unused land that could be better managed thereby better utilizing the site.

I totally agree with Plu and others that the monorail, space needle, and speedway should be reconstructed (to modern standards) and serve as points of nostalgia for the actual fair (and they could be used for other days). What about the old skyway that encircled the fair? To me, it should have permanent attractions that showcase the site, the city, and 'fair-going' and not JUST be dedicated to horse shows with the fair as an afterthought.

OR one thing OKC could do is just give up on the State Fair and give it to Tulsa (since they also have a 'State Fair' and they now do better at it). If OKC is just focused on filling hotel rooms with horse events, then make the site year round and lose the fair altogether - Seattle did something similar with the Seattle Center (former World's Fair site) by conceding the annual 'fair' a while ago to Puyallup (a suburb of Tacoma).

And someone mentioned the fairs are likely declining, I totally disagree with that statement. At least in the Seattle area, the State Fair of Washington is the biggest and best it's ever been. It began as the Pullalyp Fair (which sucked when I moved to Seattle back in the early 1990s) then became the Western Washington Fair in the later 1990s and (now I believe it is the SFW); hugely successful over time.

I last went to the fair in mid 2000s with my then girlfriend from Seattle and was horribly embarrassed at what it had become, particularly when I had told her the OK State Fair was 'all that' based on my growings-up. ...

I can think of two sayings wrt the fair in OKC: "Go big or Go Home!" and "Put up or Shut the thing Up." I hope there's a master plan after the horse stuff is built to better utilize the site AND pay some attention to the actual Fair use beyond the laughable excuse it is now (my opinion).

Well said, HOT ROD. Wish we had "Like" button.

I agree with those who say the State Fair should have something nostalgic that differentiates itself from the many offerings the city has. Why doesn't OKC take a queue from Dallas and refurbish the Fairgrounds to be multiple uses AND have a nice, huge fair? As somebody mentioned, there is plenty of unused land that could be better managed thereby better utilizing the site.

It's probably just a matter of money. Most of the money in recent years has been spent on the horse shows because of its tangible return. I think the fair only projects come off as vanity projects that some may see as wasteful. The answer obviously is a multi use approach, which is what is really going on in a sense. Upgrading the exhibition spaces and the arena are multi use projects and are justified by the revenue the horse show generates. Basically, the horse shows help motivate and pay for capital improvements that benefit the park as a multi use facility. I think the monorail and space needle are not seen as multi use. That is, maintaining them and operating them year round may not be cost efficient. A modern speedway could certainly be imagined in a way that could be a multi use facility and maybe even attracted some events that attract as much traffic and money as the horse shows. But I think the proposed arena could do that as well and the horse show circuits make it instantly viable, so it's a win win.

I do agree that there seems to be a lot of space out there to "have it all" if the funding is available.

There is a stupendous amount of unused land here:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/statefair.jpg

There is a stupendous amount of unused land here:

Yeah. It's huge. Structured parking could free up even more land.

Let me pose a question. Keep in mind I LOVED the speedway and grew up riding the Space Needle and Monorail.

If a replacement for the Needle would be 1.5 to 2 million and a new monorail 4 to 5 million. With the current state of education and infrastructure do you really think it's a justifiable expence? I know the Fair Board has different financing than the city but still....... Do you think the general public would see the cost as justified?

Let me pose a question. Keep in mind I LOVED the speedway and grew up riding the Space Needle and Monorail.

If a replacement for the Needle would be 1.5 to 2 million and a new monorail 4 to 5 million. With the current state of education and infrastructure do you really think it's a justifiable expence? I know the Fair Board has different financing than the city but still....... Do you think the general public would see the cost as justified?

Those would definitely be "boom time" items. I don't think any special project anywhere in the city would pass right now with the education crisis. And that is more a state matter than city--but the city has to pay the price at the polls.

Those would definitely be "boom time" items. I don't think any special project anywhere in the city would pass right now with the education crisis. And that is more a state matter than city--but the city has to pay the price at the polls.

The city & state are different animals.

MAPS will not increase taxes; doubt if voters will penalize MAPS or sacrifice it as a result of the State's penny sales tax increase spearheaded by Boren.

That's why you'll see more short versions of MAPS were they extend the tax two to three years.

If both of those items (Space tower & monorail) can be built under $20 million; it wouldn't hurt to add them to the next MAPS initiative.

Is the Expo center going to be open by fair time? I know they had a paint issue that pushed the June opening back some.

Is the Expo center going to be open by fair time? I know they had a paint issue that pushed the June opening back some.

No, it won't be finished in time for the fair.

No, it won't be finished in time for the fair.

I'm sure some are not very happy. The car dealers will have to be outside again that's no good. It's one of the reason I go and last year they had half the cars there that they normally do.

I'm sure some are not very happy. The car dealers will have to be outside again that's no good. It's one of the reason I go and last year they had half the cars there that they normally do.
They knew this long ago. We were told at the March 2015 Auto Show that the first major event in the new building would be the Nov or Feb Affair Of The Heart or possibly the March 2017 Auto Show.

I'm sure some are not very happy. The car dealers will have to be outside again that's no good. It's one of the reason I go and last year they had half the cars there that they normally do.

Plus, most of the fun is getting to sit in some cars and check them out, but you couldn't really do that in the heat last year. Oh well.

Plus, most of the fun is getting to sit in some cars and check them out, but you couldn't really do that in the heat last year. Oh well.

Or the rain since it rains 90% of the time for the fair.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/expo092116a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/expo092116b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/expo092116c.jpg

Man, they look really close to being done. What's the current estimated completion date now?

I believe it is very soon.

Other photos show the installation of kitchen equipment.

This was very much needed. Glad to see the Fair getting upgrades and some attention. I still wish parking would be expanded since there is so much unused land. Every year it rains and creates a mud pit to park in, and I hate seeing it give the trashy appearance.

This was very much needed. Glad to see the Fair getting upgrades and some attention. I still wish parking would be expanded since there is so much unused land. Every year it rains and creates a mud pit to park in, and I hate seeing it give the trashy appearance.

That would be nice but I suspect that kind of parking improvement would have to come with the loss of the large amount of free parking that now exists. I'm sure most people wouldn't mind that, however.

This was very much needed. Glad to see the Fair getting upgrades and some attention. I still wish parking would be expanded since there is so much unused land. Every year it rains and creates a mud pit to park in, and I hate seeing it give the trashy appearance.A couple years ago we got stuck near what was the Boy Scout HQ building. A nice guy with a 4WD pulled us out. I'd gladly give 5 bucks for parking if they'd pave a bunch of it.

@Pete - are those walker ducts in the floors? I cant make out from the image what those evenly spaced things are, but the guy at the front has a panel pulled up. If they are, i'm surprised they were that smart to actually think about it so there's no over-head cord draping going on during trade shows. If it's not....they should have. :)

@Pete - are those walker ducts in the floors? I cant make out from the image what those evenly spaced things are, but the guy at the front has a panel pulled up. If they are, i'm surprised they were that smart to actually think about it so there's no over-head cord draping going on during trade shows. If it's not....they should have. :)There are in-floor boxes with 110/220 outlets and communication connections. Pouring of the floor was delayed because the electrical contractor installed them incorrectly the first time. That was around March.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/expo092116b.jpg

The magnitude of the hall is evident by the comparison of it to the State Fair Arena in the background.