Minnesota State Fair on a budget: have fun and save money
It’s easy to spend a bundle at the fair, especially with the kids. A family of four can drop a couple hundred bucks before they’ve even hit the Mighty Midway, where—between rides and “games of chance”—the money quickly disappears.
This year, more fairgoers will be watching their spending. With a little planning, however, the 2009 Minnesota State Fair can be experienced without feeling as though you’re pinching pennies, with almost the same reckless abandon as that year you saved all summer just to blow it all for a giant stuffed pink poodle at the throw-the-little-ring-over-the-bottle-top booth. Almost.
Here are some 2009 Minnesota State Fair money saving tips:
- Buy a State Fair Coupon Book at Cub Foods BEFORE the fair this week! Most of the coupons within (and there are lots!) are 2 for 1’s, so a little pre-planning regarding what you’ll eat and buy can result in an easy 50-100 dollars saved.
- Take the MTC fair shuttle bus from the location nearest you. $5.00 round trip and a dropoff at the front gate, as opposed to $20 bucks and a six block walk back to the car when your feet are ready drop off. Forget about the traffic.
- Attend the fair on a deal day. The very first day (Thursday, Aug 27th) is Thrifty Thursday, with reduced admission for all, all day, and reduced Midway prices all day as well. Several other days offer reduced admission for various age groups...see the State Fair Website (below).
- Go to the Mighty Midway first! On four of the twelve days the Midway is cheaper before 1 pm. Eat after the rides!.
- Alternate your heavy spending activities (Midway, Food Bldg, Grandstand shopping) with any of the myriad free activities, such as the free stage shows, animal barns, exhibits, 2:00 pm daily parade.
- Use it as a teaching opportunity: have the kids choose the 2 or 3 things they most want to do (or give them a set amount), explaining the realities of the economy (ooh, a little harsh for the fair, ain’t it?). While you’re at it, do the same yourself.
- When faced with that tempting purchase of the Miracle-Mop or Barc-A-Lounger you’ve just seen demonstrated for 20 minutes, take the company’s card. They usually honor their Fair deals for another month (at which point you’ll know better). Set an example for your children.
- Make it a holiday. Attend the fair on Labor Day, which is Kids Day/Last Chance Day. Pick up a last chance flyer at the Information booth and take advantage of the deals as vendors lower their prices to avoid storing 450 pounds of pickles in their garage. Even if they’re not listed, try bargaining.
- Finally, don’t forget to splurge a bit. The kids have nine months of school starting next week, and it’s a long winter, a’comin’.
More 2009 Minnesota State Fair Articles:
State Fair Announces Grandstand Lineup
Countdown to the 145th State Fair: The Basics
New Food at the 2009 State Fair
State Fair History and Trivia
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Minnesota State Fair on a budget: have fun and save money
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