TYLER, Texas — Fair officials have confirmed the East Texas State Fair does have a place to go after the city of Tyler ended its lease agreement last year.
The fair will not be held in the parking lot of W.T. Brookshire Conference Center in Tyler this year. According to a statement from the city of Tyler, the city ended the lease agreement with the East Texas State Fair on Aug. 9, 2023.
Preston Smith, chairman of the East Texas State Fair board of directors, told CBS19 that the new location for the fair will be on State Highway 64 near the Walmart and expand to Patton Lane (County Road 1135) and reach State Highway 31.
The new address is 11315 State Highway 64 West in Tyler. The name of the land is Park of East Texas Inc., according to the Smith County Appraisal District.
Smith said the East Texas State Fair board signed the lease for land 30 days ago. He added the board was in support of city of Tyler not renewing the lease as it will allow the Rose Complex to expand.
Currently, the fair is set for Sept. 20 to 29 of this year. Smith said if all goes to plan regarding preparation of the land, the fair should go on as scheduled.
The fair has been held in the area for many years prior to the recently built W.T. Brookshire Conference Center opening up. The fair is used for charitable and educational purposes through the annual event that provides education, entertainment and the spirit of competition.
"Our mission is also to create commerce for Tyler and Smith County by providing venues for others to utilize and by drawing participants to the complex," the East Texas State Fair website reads.
The East Texas State Fair has awarded over $1.2 million in scholarships since 1992.