How to Save Money at the County Fair

A day at the county fair really gives you the chance to pack in an entire day of fun for the entire family, but it can end up costing you a pretty penny. There are ways to enjoy the entire fair experience on a budget though, you just have to be willing to be more flexible with your time and do a little planning before heading over.  Deals are always out there for those that are ready to take advantage of them, and some might make it possible for you to enjoy an entire weekend for the same price as one day at the fair.

Save on Your Admission

There are several ways to save money on the basic admission prices to the county fair.  A lot of county fairs have begun arranging for sponsors, which will make a donation to defer the cost on specific days for specific fair goers. Check the schedule to see which days are sponsored and if you qualify, different days can include children free, Military and their families, educators and scouts. Another way to save on admission is through the purchase of a family pass or multi-day pass if you know you want to go more than once. Out favorite off at out local fair is the car load special. We get free parking, free admittance and an unlimited ride arm band for everyone legally seatbelted into the car for $50. With 5 of use soon to be 6  in our family this is the best deal for us. We have also taken friends in our van and split the cost bringing out cost down even more!

Survey Friends and Neighbors

Because county fairs are local events, the chances that neighbors and friends that live in the area will also be attending are good. Most of the time we tend to overplan and overpurchase, and so do your neighbors. If you are on good terms with your neighbors, ask if any of them have any food or ride tickets leftover from their visits. Another great place to check are local yard sale and barter groups on Facebook or Freecycle. My community has a freecycle via Facebook that is great at passing on unused tickets rather than let them go to waste.

Coupon Booklets

If your county fair has a coupon booklet available for a small fee, this is a great way to save big bucks on meals and deals. You are going to end up eating and snacking your way through the fair, so you might as well save a little money doing so. Items that were out of your budget before might fit into the budget now that you are able to save or get more at the same price.

Save on Food

If your county fair has a picnic site, pack a fun picnic basket for the family so that you can save on at least one meal and splurge on snacks for everyone. When the kids are fed, they are less likely to bug for numerous snacks and be satisfied with just one. Plus, a fun picnic can include so much more food and treats where you still spend less money than buying at the fair would be.

See More of the Fair

Make sure you fill the better part of the day checking out all that the fair has to offer and not just the ticketed events. The fair is traditionally meant to showcase all the agriculture, craft and livestock entries, so be sure to check out the pens and competitions. At all times, there are also live shows and events that are free to the public and exciting for children of all ages.