PHOENIX — Arizonans are feeling the cost of inflation at the grocery store, in the housing market, and now at the Arizona State Fair.
Some fair-goers have posted on social media about their surprise at the prices of their favorite foods, games and rides this year.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: El bolsillo de los asistentes a la Feria Estatal de Arizona se ve afectado por precios más altos este año
Nate Janousek, the owner of Bacon-A-Fair, takes his stand around the country and said he sees firsthand the impact inflation is having on Americans.
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“It’s certainly harder this year than in any year past," Janousek said.
As a vendor, Janousek said he's paying more for ingredients and gas.
He chose not to raise his menu prices this year.
“Every year our profits and our margins shrink because we feel an obligation to our customers," Janousek said.
Alicia Soto, the owner of Alicia's Mexican Kitchen, said she's noticed people don't seem to be spending as much money as they used to.
“We have seen a decrease in the number of sales and it’s not just at the Arizona State Fair," Soto said. “We are trying for our business to survive and to survive this crisis.”
Soto said increased travel expenses, including hotels and labor, took a toll on her small business and forced her to slightly raise the price of some menu items.
“It doesn’t really make up for everything... all of the costs that we now have to take into consideration," Soto said.
The admission fee to the Arizona State Fair is $15 for people older than age 7.
Arizona Exposition and State Fair Marketing Director Brianda Martinez said people can visit and enjoy the fair on any budget.
“We want the fair to be accessible for everyone," Martinez said. “We have tons of special days, promotion deals. If you go to our website you’ll find them all.”
While some fair favorites might be more money than years past, vendors want customers to remember it all comes with an experience they get to experience only once a year.
“They wait all year for us to get out here and we take that pretty seriously," Janousek said.
Click here for more information on deals and promotions that make admission to the Arizona State Fair more affordable.
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