TULSA -- Each year the Tulsa State Fair offers new rides and serves new food, but two things remain constant even after 30 years.
Walker Moore and Tom Branch have both served as chaplains at the fair for the past three decades, and their presence still surprises people.
"They're like, 'What are you guys doing here?'" Branch said, laughing. "We just try to tell them we're here to take care of you. You may need us today, that's fine. Not every one of my church members needs me every day, but there's always a day that they do."
Branch said he and the other chaplain volunteers do hand out Bibles from time to time, but they also provide supplies, like hygiene kits and rain ponchos, to the hundreds of fair workers.
"We're here to serve," Branch said. "We're not here to eat corn dogs. We probably will, but that's not our purpose here. We love what we do, and we love the people of Tulsa."
Even after spending so many years working at the fair, Branch expects to be back next year to serve and enjoy the crowds.
"My son already makes jokes about having to push me around in a wheelchair to get stuff done," Branch said with a laugh.
The chaplains are located in a trailer on the west side of the fairgrounds near the kids' ride area.
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