How to Enjoy the Wisconsin State Fair on a Frugal Budget

Fair time is quickly approaching here in West Allis, WI. Families look forward to the fair for various reason, good food, livestock competitions and how can we forget the infamous cream puff. This year many families may be thinking of cutting out the fair because it can be expensive. Here are some ways to make the 2009 Wisconsin State Fair affordable for your family.

Admission is a big expense at the fair. At the gate prices for adults is $9.00, seniors (60 and over) $6.00, children 7- 11 are $4.00 and 6 and under are free. Parking your car at the fair grounds is $10.00.So for a family of four (2 adults, and two children ages 7-11) the cost is already at $36.00 to just step inside the gate. This is not going to include any food, drink or rides that the kids might want. If you order tickets in advanced from WIStatefair.com you can get tickets for the adults at $5.00 each. Enroll both your children in the reading program at the local library and they will each receive a free ticket to the fair. So now the price has gone from $26.00 to $10.00 for the family of four. I am hoping you took a bus or lived close to walk to the fair as $10.00 it is $10.00 for parking. You can find cheaper parking on one of the neighborhood lawns. So now that you have saved $16.00 on admission alone, let's find some cheap eats.

The best place to get a meal that is cheap is in the Agriculture building. Wisconsin is the dairy state after all so this is the place to be. They offer pork chop sandwiches for $5.00, great grilled cheese (American or Swiss) for $2.00 a piece and milk at 50 cents a carton. You can easily get a meal for your family for only $16.00. That is the $16.00 you had saved on ticket prices. For another $4.00 you and the family can enjoy a great ice cream sundae. Other places in the fair also offer great prices for a good meal. There is the baked potato stand where you get a large potato with toppings for $3.00. If you stay away from the stands by the midway you will find good food for a good price. The lions have the yearly corn stand. Best corn at the fair for only $2.00 a cob.

If your children really need to go to the midway to ride a few rides. The best deal for your money is the on the following days (courtesy of the www.wistatefair.com):

OPENING DAY OFFER - THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
Enjoy $1 rides in the Midway on Opening Day of the Fair from 10am until 6pm.
Select rides may be excluded from offer.

GOLDEN GUERNSEY DAY - THURSDAY, AUGUST 13
Receive $5 off a Midway "Ride-All-Day" Wristband Voucher (while supplies last) with five caps or lids from any Golden Guernsey Dairy product. Caps must be redeemed at the Golden Guernsey Dairy tent located in Central Mall on Thursday, August 13 from 9am - 4pm. (Limit 1,000 vouchers)

PATRICK CUDAHY DAY - FRIDAY , AUGUST 14
Receive $5 off a Midway "Ride-All-Day" Wristband Voucher (while supplies last) with any two Patrick
Cudahy, Pavone, or La Abuelita brand labels or packages. Redeem at Patrick Cudahy Tent located in Central Mall on Friday, August 14 from 9:30am - 3:30pm.

You will save a ton of money if you take the family on one of these days. Otherwise you can end up paying $5.00 per ride. Don't forget the Giant Slide which is worth the $3.00 up the stairs to fly down on a burlap rug.

Before you end your day at the fair don't forget the cream puffs. They are the best part of the fair. Now they are offering 6 puffs for $18.00. Each of the family members can have one and bring home two for Grandma and Grandpa. Regular price is $3.50 a puff. Otherwise split a puff between two people, as they are huge to big with.

Enjoy the fair and remember you don't have to blow a ton of money to enjoy the fair. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the fair, while feeding your family on a budget. You can find out more great deals and information about the Wisconsin State Fair at http://www.wistatefair.com/09_web/index.html. Hope to see you at the fair.