Save Money at the County Fair

County fairs are an autumnal tradition for many areas. Livestock judging, baked goods galore, arts and crafts, entertainment events, parades, fair food and a carnival, all packed into a three- or four-day weekend. Going to the county fair can get expensive, but by following these tips, you won't go broke this year at the fair!

Save Money at the County Fair: Stage Events

From a rodeo to the demolition derby, there is a big event every day of the county fair. Tickets for these fair events can cost anywhere from $5 - $10 per person.

Choose one event to attend. Plan ahead and get the schedule for the county fair stage events. Make that the day to spend the day at the county fair; then you aren't tempted to attend more than one event. This will also save you money at the gate: only one day entry fee.

Go late. Most ticket takers stop checking the doors once the event is half over. Generally each event lasts an hour or more, which can be pretty long for someone to sit through, especially for young children.

Save Money at the County Fair: Fair Food

The delicious aroma of hot dogs, cotton candy, caramel corn, fried onions, and hamburgers tickle your nostrils the moment you walk into the fairgrounds. County fairs are notorious for their food, but it's also really expensive.

Eat before you get to the county fair. By having a snack before you go, you'll be less likely to splurge on a $5 footlong corndog. Avoid eating anything too heavy if you plan on going on the carnival rides.

Bring your own beverage to the county fair. At our county fair, a can of soda pop was $2 and a bottle of water was $3. Instead of shelling out so much money on beverages, put a half-filled plastic water bottle in the freezer until it's frozen solid, then top it off with cold water. Even in the hot temperatures at the county fair, your thirst will be quenched with refreshingly cool water.

Limit yourself to one special county fair treat. Where else can you get caramel apples and cotton candy? Those foods are special to the county fair, so go ahead and get one. Just one.

Save Money at the County Fair: Carnival Rides

Ride coupons, freak shows, and specialty rides - the expenses add up quickly. Save money by planning ahead for the county fair.

Buy special ride bracelets before the county fair. Most carnivals will offer specials on ride bracelets which allow children to enjoy unlimited rides for a specific time period. At our county fair, these bracelets were $20, but if you bought them ahead of time, it was only $15. The bracelets are definitely a money-saver as children tend to like to repeat their favorite carnival rides.

Avoid the special high-priced rides and special shows. Many carnivals will bring along specialty rides and charge the county fair patron extra to try. Our county fair had a bungee jumping event for which they charged $7 per person. We also had a 'freak show' for another $2 per person. Steer clear of anything that costs extra.

Take your own photos. Don't pay $5 or more for their souvenir pictures. Most of the time, the pictures are blurry or printed on cheap photo paper anyway. If you have to, stand back and use your zoom to avoid getting reprimanded.

Save Money at the County Fair - Carnival Games

Carnival workers know exactly how to get the most money out of their county fair patrons, and they can usually spot a pretty easy 'mark'.

Avoid the 'game row'. If you are forced to walk past the carnival callers, keep your gaze straight ahead and walk through as quickly as possible. Make sure to keep a tight hold on your child's hand. The worst is having your child get away and run up to a game, only to be told no. Sometimes a carnival worker will allow the child to start playing the game and then expect you as a parent to ante up the money.

Play the right game. Choose a game that guarantees a prize every time. Ask the price before you start playing. Even if the price is posted, verify it with the carnival worker as the prices can be misleading.

Look for rigged games. Watch other county fair patrons who are playing the game. Sometimes the carnival worker himself will play the game to entice people to gather around. I watched a carnival worker try 20 times in a row to make a basket in his 'non-regulation' basketball hoop, and he didn't put the ball in once. If the carnival worker can't win on his own game, then county fair patrons don't have a chance.

Never show your money. Keep the smaller bills in a different place than the larger bills. Nothing will turn up the charm of a carnival worker than seeing a 'mark' with a wad of cash wandering around the county fair. Often, they'll let you play once at a reduced rate, then up the price and try to hook you with bigger and better prizes. If you keep your money in separate pockets, it's easier to say you're out of money and walk away.

Save Money at the County Fair - County Fair Souvenirs

The best way to save money at the county fair is to avoid buying souvenirs, period. Most souvenirs have nothing to do with the county fair, they are way too expensive, and they end up breaking or falling apart within hours anyway. Create your own county fair souvenirs by bringing your camera and then put a page in your family scrapbook. The photographic memories will last much longer than a blow-up hammer that squeaks or a turquoise and silver slave bracelet.