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State Fair is here -- get your hot tips here on saving money!
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This photo, from the Wake County govnerment's web
site, shows a typical food vendor at the State Fair.
The State Fair is upon us, and you need the 411. Whether you’re a long-time devotee (things do change from year to year) or a newby wondering what this state fair thing is all about, you need to be armed with information as you prepare to do battle with crowds, parking hassles and dilemmas over how to spend your limited time and money.
First of all, let me add my own tips, based on my experience of having attended almost every year for the last 10 years. Those who have never been may be wondering how much of a hassle it’s going to be and whether it is all worth it. The answers are: a lot and yes. The N.C. State Fair is a unique event that must be experienced at least once, especially if you have kids. There’s just so much to see and do in one place that you can’t pass it up.
It’s not super-expensive but it’s not cheap. Admission is $7 for adults (over age 13), $2 for kids 6-12. Admission is free for children under 6 and adults 65 and over. But the admission cost is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s parking, food, ride tickets, games, souvenirs – there are a lot of people at the fair who would just love to find ways to separate you from your money. And don’t underestimate the influence of whiny kids, who simply must have some trinket (which they will probably pay no attention to two days after getting it home, but fishermen release fish and they still consider fishing fun, right?)
First of all, how to get there: I recommend park-and-ride services (info on bus service to the fair can be found here.) Fair traffic and be intolerable and, although you can find free parking at the fair, you may have to do so much walking that you’ll wish you had taken the bus, which delivers you to the fair’s front gate. Plus, if fair lots are filled, you may end up paying $10 to park in a private lot, or on someone’s lawn. (If you have small children who don’t take to long walks well, the bus is highly recommended – at the end of the day when they are dog-tired, even the walk back to the bus stop will be a big headache.)
Beyond that, you may be wondering how you can save money. Here are some tips I’ve learned over the years for keeping the cost down:
* If you are up to long walks, drive to the fair – there is free parking on the street but you have to go at an unpopular time (like during the day in a weekday) or you risk not finding a space. I’ve had a lot of luck in the past finding space on Powell Drive.
* Bring your own food – there are picnic tables available – and spend money only on snacks or desert.
* Attend the fair on Thursday, Oct. 22, when you can get in free by donating four cans of food. (More info here.)
* Of you are 65 or older, attend on Tuesday, Oct. 20, when you can get free breakfast and entertainment. (More info here.)
* If you have a military connection, attend on Wednesday, October 21. Active duty, reserve and National Guard service members or spouses with valid military ID will be admitted free along with four guests. Plus, there will be special activities and performances by military bands. (More info here.)
* Be very wary about spending money on games – I don’t want to outright say many are rip-offs, but let’s just say most are harder to win than they seem. If you don’t look your age, try the “guess the age” attractions. (I have never lost one of those.) Or you might try one of those games where you squirt water into a hole to push an object to the top -- increase your odds of winning by finding a game with few contestants and have each member of your family man a squirt gun.)
Here are some more resources: the official fair web site, the News & Observer state fair blog, the WRAL TV fair blog and a nice blog from a local blogger who calls herself a "fair geek."
Good luck and happy fairgoing!
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