I think you may have gone to stampede with the wrong perception of the event.
1.3 million attended over the 10 days and I bet 1.2 million used the "trash" food stalls.
It's cowboys, cowgirls, farming, agriculture, not polo and show jumping.
It's BBQ, grilled, deep fried hand food.
BUT as long as you enjoyed your time while there no matter where you spent it that's all that matters.