BEAUMONT, Texas — It's the final weekend of the YMBL South Texas State Fair and 12News caught up with Southeast Texans to find out what drives them to return every year.
"I ate some dippin' dots. They have a lot of good food at the fair. We had so much fun," said one kid at the fair that 12News talked to.
For the past 81 years, the YMBL South Texas State Fair has put smiles on the faces of the young and young at heart.
FULL SCHEDULE | See the full schedule for the final weekend of the fair
"Some of them hadn't seen each other since school, or high school, or college or something like that. It's a good opportunity it's almost like coming home," said President of the Fair Gerard Celestine.
Ray Mondlawrence has been going to the fair since he was a teen.
"You knew they would drop you off every now and then to come to the fair, to walk around and get some food," Mondlawrence said.
Now as a father of two, he's sharing the tradition with his kids.
"We came Tuesday for the Education First free day. He got on the pony he liked and my little girl she got on there also," he said.
From pony rides to funnel cakes, Celestine says there's always plenty to see and do.
"There are a few new rides that are out there, the food is always good. We have some new vendors," he said.
The good time goes toward a great cause.
"One of our biggest deals here is to raise money that we can give back to the community," said Celestine.
Mondlawrence says he will continue making the hour drive to Beaumont to enjoy the fair with his kids.
"It's something fun for them to do," Mondlawrence said.
Celestine tells 12News that he expects large crowds to arrive this weekend as the fair wraps up.
On Saturday kids 17-and-under get in free from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.