State Fair

Over the years I have, by necessity, becoming excessively frugal (when I have to be).
One of my biggest money savers entertainment wise come fall is going to the Texas State Fair on a Wednesday.
You may say, "The biggest money saver would be not going."
To me, though, that is pretty much sacrilege.
Jerry and I started going to the Texas State Fair the month we got married and have made a point of going to it every year since.A tradition if you will.
A few years back (probably around the time we had Brogan) I discovered "money saver" days to attend the fair.Here is what I found - and they haven't changed the discounts in as many years as I've been using them:

Opening Day: Bring a full 20 oz. Coca-Cola product for donation to the North Texas Food Bank containers at Fair admission gates and enter the State Fair for $4 per donation per person.

Dr Pepper $3 Tuesdays: Every Tuesday, bring an empty Dr Pepper can and enter for $3. Most rides (excluding the Thrillway, Texas Star and selected other attractions) are 5 coupons.

Dr Pepper $5 after 5 pm: Bring an empty Dr Pepper can to any State Fair admission gate after 5 p.m. and enter for $5.

Kroger “Three for $1″ each Wednesday: Admission is $1 for each visitor bringing 3 cans of food for area food banks.

Coke $4 Thursday: Bring an empty 20 oz. bottle of a Coca-Cola product and enter the Fair for $4 admission.

FREE Thursdays for Senior Citizens: HealthSpring and Mature Texan Magazine sponsor of Seniors Day. Senior Citizens 60 years and older get in to the State Fair FREE each Thursday.

FREE Thursday admission with a Cinemark Theater ticket stub.

Any Day—McDonald’s offers $4 off General Admission: with one of their State Fair coupons (available on tray liner or bag stuffer) any day of the Fair. A free child ticket (with purchase of general admission) coupon is also distributed by McDonald’s. Offer may not be combined with any other offer.

This year, being painfully poor, I chose to go on the Wednesday as we always have cans of food hanging about. Usually ones that I have purposely got on sale during the year at places like the dollar store for 3 for 99 cents with the thought of using them for state fair entrance.

Between the State Fair discount and a free student ticket Ms. R recieved at school we were able to enter the fair for $3.

Then as a family we decided the thing we would all enjoy as a treat was cotton candy.

We got really lucky when we were hunting for a parking spot and found one on an adjacent street for free.

Altogether, we were able to enjoy the State Fair for $7 this year.

Yay us!