While the rain continued, the fun at the South Plains Fair didn’t let up either, but some non-profit food vendors worry that the weather affected their profits this week.
“Looking back over the last several years, Tuesday’s lunch run is always pretty busy, but because of the rain it has affected it,” Renee Tilley of Living Word Church said. “Plus, we have the pork skins, but we can’t fry them because of the rain coming in the oil. That affects the profit margins.”
For many charities and organizations, the South Plains Fair is their biggest fundraiser.
“This is our church’s fundraiser, and it is the only one we do all year,” Tilley said.
Rick Tate worked in the corn dog stand, raising money for the Shriners.
“There’s a lot of charities out here, and these are all support for the charities,” Tate said. “We really appreciate folks coming out to support.”
Vendors said they worry the rain may put a damper on things.
“Less people come out, you know, and it is understandable, with the weather and everything,” said Debbie Burleson with the State Supported Living Center. “But we have got troopers who come out no matter what.”
One vendor in particular was a ray of sunshine in the storm at the Lubbock Optimist Club’s Turkey Leg stand.
“We are out here optimistically selling turkey legs so we can give all the money away to either children or youth in Lubbock,” Field said. “You know you just can’t let it stop you. You have got to just keep pressing on and do the most optimistic best thing you can.”
He said business has been slower.
“We might be here until midnight next Saturday, but we will get them all sold,” Field said, with a smile.
Now that food is sold inside the Midway, some people worry that will affect fundraising as well, but others said they are confident.
“We have loyal customers who say they come out every year, so we appreciate that,” Debbie Burleson said. “Because we have those customers, it hasn’t affected us.”
Fairgoers Paul and Karen Stewart and Lorie Hubbard said they have been coming to the fair their whole lives.
“Yeah, the rain never stopped me,” Paul Stewart said.
“It rains almost every year of the fair so, I was like, what the heck, why not,” Lorie Hubbard said.
For now, the vendors said they would just keep on cooking.
“It’s not going to rain all week, so come out and see us,” Robert Field said.
