LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky State Fair is known for big rides, big crowds and plenty of food. But for some fairgoers this year, the prices are getting just as much attention as the food itself.
Items at the fair include corn on the cob for $8, fried caramel for $12, ice cream for $15, and Dubai chocolate-covered strawberries for $17.
For fairgoer Averie Morris, the rising prices are hard to miss.
“Just in the past four years I’ve been coming to the fair I’ve seen the prices go up,” Morris said.
Morris and fellow fairgoer Brandi Hopkins say higher prices have become part of their annual trip to the fair.
“We actually budgeted for the fair every year,” Hopkins said.
When asked how much, she said her family of five typically budgeted between $300 and $400 for the weekend.
Morris said one of her favorite fair foods has also gone up in price.
“The doughnut burger used to be like $15, now it’s right about $20,” Morris said.
The doughnut burger, which features two glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts as the buns, is actually priced at $16.
Sarah Scherrardi and Zachary Smith decided to put their money where their mouths are and try it for themselves.
“For the experience, yes, you’ve got to try it once,” Scherrardi said.
Smith agreed it was worth trying the first time, but said he wouldn’t buy it again.
Not everyone at the fair thinks the food prices are unreasonable.
Fairgoers Jewel Bruce and Robert Bruce said they felt prices were better than in previous years.
“Well, I think they’re better. Last couple of years was pretty rough,” Jewel Bruce said.
Robert Bruce added, “This year it has gone down a little.”
For vendors, pricing comes down to a variety of factors, including the ingredients, quality and cost of doing business.
Jose Martinez, a Kentucky State Fair vendor selling chocolate-covered strawberries for $17, said he believes customers are getting a good value.
“I think it’s a good price,” Martinez said.
While other vendors have chosen not to raise their prices. Chantelle Miller said she has kept her prices the same for the past three years.
Miller said she understands that rising costs aren’t necessarily the customer’s fault.
“I think I send out a good product for the amount of money that they pay,” she said.
For fairgoers, the question ultimately comes down to what they’re willing to pay for a taste of the Kentucky State Fair.
And with the fair continuing through next week, there’s still time to decide whether the food is worth the price.
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