Minnesota State Fair 2010 on the Cheap

It is that time of year again for the great Minnesota get together... the 2010 Minnesota State Fair! With prices on the rise for everything, being able to go cheap on some things will allow you to spend the money in a different area of the Minnesota State Fair.

*Check out this page for a great resource for the day that you are going.. LINK

1~Buy tickets ($2 discount) and the Blue Ribbon Bargain Book ($1 discount) BEFORE the fair at Cub Foods for a discount. If you forget to buy tickets, look for days where the State Fair will offer discounts for kids or seniors. LINK to discount days at the Fair.  LINK to what is in the coupon book.  Be sure to pass along the book to a relative, friend, or even someone at the fair.

2~Find a FREE parking spot and get bused to the FAIR for FREE! I thought this would be a pain, but it is so easy. Check out the spots now and save yourself the headache of driving in the stop n go traffic. LINK

3~Get there early to enjoy the fair. Less people are there in the morning. Easier to walk around.



4~Bring in your own snack foods, water bottle, etc. We have been doing this since the kids were little and we haven't stopped. We bring in a backpack and it comes in handy when we pick up all the freebies!

5~Hit the Education Building to see all the great items on display and pick up the FREEBIES! They tend to have free bags, bandannas, rulers, pencils, pens, candy, etc!

6~If you have little kids, check out the Home Depot to see what they can build for free. I believe they still give your little one a free apron.

7~Be sure to find a seat in the shade for the parade. Great time to relax and check out the things you got.

8~Bring address labels to enter those contests!

9~If your family love the rides, go on a day where the State Fair offers reduce tickets needed for rides. Of course, you can also buy discount ride tickets BEFORE the Fair starts at Cub Foods also.   They also offer $6 off a $20 pack of ride tickets in the Blue Ribbon booklet.

10~Get a free drink or fill up your water bottle at the Culligan place near the Education building!

11~Check out the Health Fair building. They have many free or low cost health care screenings.  Last year they even gave away free bike helmets!

12~ Check out the Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide at most of the information booths. You will find daily give away times for freebies and where the hot drawings are in the Fair.

13~There are many free musical shows throughout the day. Grab a flyer for times and places at a information booth or go to the LINK for an advance look.

14~All horse shows and the High School Rodeo are FREE with your paid admission to the fair! LINK to that info.

15~ Many times you will find merchants telling you that you are getting the best deal at the State Fair.  Are you?  Check out the merchants that are there through this LINK and do a little research on items that you might want to buy while at the fair.

16~Check out two great places if you have young kids...Mom's Like Me in /near the Kare11 building and the 107.1 station where both have places for children to play. You can also nurse your child there comfortably.

17~Be sure to head to the Little Farm Hands exhibit if you have younger children.

18~The Miracle of Birth barn is another must that is free. If you time it just right, you might see some baby animals being born.

19~Head to the DNR building to see the many fish that populate the pond. They also have a FREE "hunting" game that you can play inside the building. Two years ago, they were giving away FREE gun safety locks once you were done playing.

20~ Check out your local library and sign up for your child to win State Fair passes. They have to be younger than 12, but older than 3 (?).

Have any other great tips?  Please post them in the comment section.