State Fair Deals

Category: Deals

Attending the Illinois State Fair is a bit pricier this year. For the first time since 1990, admission rates increased. Expect to pay $5 for adults (up from $3 last year) and $2 for kids between the ages of five and 12 (they used to get in for free). Kids younger than five still gain free admission.

Still, five dollars is pretty cheap entertainment. Spend the day viewing butter cows and real-life cows, listening to live music, and watching the variety of people who make an appearance at the fair each year. Plus, for a few dollars more, you can taste the myriad fried foods and beverages (yep, you can even get fried beverages—this year one vendor is offering fried Pepsi).

If you're looking for some bargains, there are still a few deals left you can take advantage of:

Carnival Bargains
The Illinois State Fair boasts two carnival areas: the main carnival midway and Adventure Village. Tickets for the rides aren't cheap—$5 for four coupons, $25 for 22 coupons, $60 for 55 coupons—but there are some options available to help families save cash.

Mega Pass. For $60, the mega pass photo ID allows you to ride as many rides you want as often as you want during the entire fair. Passes are available on the first floor of the Emmerson Building. (Please note that they do not include the cost of gate admission, the Giant Slide, or the Sky Ride. Personal checks are not accepted for purchase of a Mega Pass.)

Carnival Midway "Pay One Price" Armbands. Monday, August 17 through Friday, August 21,  each person who purchases a $25 pass is eligible for unlimited rides from noon until 6 p.m. The deal is also available from noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday, August 23.

Children's Miracle Network Carnival Ride Tickets. For $25 per person, you can purchase a one-day pass good for unlimited rides on the main carnival midway or in Adventure Village on any one day of the fair. The nonrefundable passes are only good during designated times, however:  noon to closing on Monday, August 17 through Friday, August 21; 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 22; and noon until 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 23. The Children's Miracle Network passes are available for purchase at a number of retail outlets in the area or online.

Grandstand Steals
If you're still contemplating the purchase of Grandstand tickets, you're in luck. Through the state fair's recently announced "All-American Value, More '4' Less" promotion, any person who purchases four Grandstand seats in the third and lowest price range will receive $5 off each ticket, for a total savings of $20. Plus, for every four seats purchased, you'll receive one free 2009 Illinois State Fair t-shirt.

Tickets can be purchased at the Grandstand box office in person or over the phone (217.782.1979) or online through Ticketmaster.

For more information on the Illinois State Fair, visit the official fair website.

Photo: aka Kath

Tags: Deals | Illinois State Fair |

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