Looking for ways to save money at the Minnesota State Fair? We've got 'em - you don't have to break the bank to have a good time!
The Minnesota State Fair is just around the corner - hooray! Our state fair is incredibly popular, and for good reason! The 2022 Minnesota State Fair runs from Thursday, August 25 to Monday, September 5 (Labor Day) with twelve days of fantastic fun and food.
It's easy to spend big bucks at the Minnesota State Fair with all of the treats, rides, vendors, and entertainment. And it's totally OK to spend money if you want to! However, if you're looking for some ways to save money at the Minnesota State Fair, we've got lots of different ideas for you!
You'll definitely want to get your tickets in advance if you can. Pre-fair discount admission tickets are $14 and are valid for any age guest (age 5+). Most people buy their discount tickets at Cub Foods (locations here), but they have been known to sell out so GET TO IT if you're going this route.
Otherwise, you can buy discount tickets in advance online through 9 pm on 8/24/22, swing by the State Fairgrounds Ticket Office, or call Etix at 800-514-3849. If you work for a large company (Target, the state government, 3M, etc.), you maybe be able to get discount tickets through them.
Regular price tickets are $17/adult (ages 13-64), $15/senior (ages 65+), $15/child (ages 5-12), and free for children 4 and under.
If for whatever reason you don't buy discount tickets, you can visit on a discount day instead. (It's actually cheaper in some instances to visit on a discount day vs. buying discount tickets.) When adults are discounted they'll pay $15 vs. the regular $17 fee. When seniors or children are discounted they'll pay $12 vs. the regular $15 fee.
Discount Days for 2022 include:
The Blue Ribbon Bargain Book costs just $5 and is chock full of coupons. Buy it along with your advance tickets, or pick one up at the State FairWear Gift Shops and Bargain Book & State Fair Poster Carts while supplies last. The first coupon is to save $8 on a sheet of Midway or Kidway Tickets, so you've already made back more than the $5 price of the book.
Some of my other favorite coupons in this year's book include:
PS - There are so many coupons in these books that you could just share with someone else who's going. Sometimes people will just hand you their Bargain Book as they're leaving the Fair as you're entering.
The Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide is FREE and is found at any information booth. It lists the discount days, giveaway opportunities, items for less than $1, and a list of all of the FREE stuff you can pick up at various locations.
Discount days (as mentioned above) give discounted admission to select groups, plus special ride and game promotions are offered on many of those days, as well. Other ways to save on rides:
Swing by the Dairy Building for some great deals on dairy products throughout the Fair! There's the $2 all-you-can-drink milk, of course, and other deals that pop up during select days of the Fair.
Yes, there are big-name concerts at the Fair, but there is plenty of free entertainment, as well! Check out the full schedule on all ten stages HERE.
Many people choose to take the Metro Transit State Fair Express Bus, but at $5-$6 per person, that can add up. We typically choose to park at one of the 30 (!) free parking lots located around the State Fairgrounds and hop the shuttle that takes you directly to the front gate.
OK, OK.I know that much of the draw of the State Fair is loading up on all of that delicious food. But let's be real - that can really add up! Stash your cash for the real treats and keep your tummies satisfied in the meantime by bringing your own picnic lunch and/or snacks.
At the very least, bring your own refillable water bottle(s). Water fountains are located throughout the fairgrounds, and water bottle refill stations are offered at various locations, as well. For a list of all water locations, visit an information booth.
For those of you who need it, Twin Cities ROCK puts together a list of Gluten Free Foods at the Fair each year. Check their website for updates and/or stop by their booth to pick up your copy.
This section will be updated soon!
I mentioned the Deals, Drawings & Giveaways list before.it used to have a $1 and Under section. I didn't see that list in this year's brochure, but I did comb through the list to find the lowest-priced food deals:
The last day of the Fair - Labor Day - is also a great time to pick up deals on food as well as merchandise. Look for the Last Chance Flier at any information booth on Labor Day.
This free agricultural education exhibit is for kids ages 3-10 (but it's probably best for ages 4-7). Children pretend to farm and at the end of it, they get fake money to buy a real item - all FREE!
The Home Depot tent has free kids' crafts, similar to the ones your kids can complete in-store on Saturday mornings.
If you're planning to stay into the evening, pick up your own glow sticks in advance from the dollar store so your kids aren't begging for the tempting (and incredibly spendy!) glowing items at nighttime. © Provided by Thrifty Minnesota
Visit the Warner Coliseum to witness judged and timed events featuring draft horses, horse jumping, English horse riding, and more. Check the schedule for what's happening on which days.
Got some time on your hands? Many exhibits and attractions will give you FREE admission if you volunteer to help out with a two- to three-hour shift.
Besides the options listed on the Minnesota State Fair website, you can also volunteer to help out with Big Ideas, Crossroads Chapel, Clean Energy Resource Team, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (full this year), or National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Forgot your sunscreen? No sweat - all of the information booths have free sunscreen along with identification wristbands if you so choose.
Save on data by using the free Wi-Fi service available in a hotspot located at the west Grandstand plaza. It's also available at the Xfinity booth located outside the FAN Central exhibit on Underwood Street.
The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. offers free beer samples from 4 - 6 pm each day.
Boy Scouts of America has offered a free interactive climbing rope course every day of the Fair. This is suspended for 2022, but instead they will be offering a free inflatable archery range.
Embark on this free, self-guided tour to discover State Fair history - just pick up a brochure at any of the twelve stops on the fairgrounds. The 2022 tour has five new stops!
Stop by Visitors Plaza at 11 am or 4 pm each day for free photo opportunities and autograph sessions with the State Fair gopher mascots, Fairchild and Fairborne.
If your dogs are barkin' and you can't take another step, hop on one of the two free trolleys that service the area from 9 am - 8 pm daily (except from 2 - 3 pm due to the parade). Check out the trolley routes on the State Fair map, and stops are marked by signs along the route.
OK, so I don't think there is such a thing as a "paid" parade, but you'll definitely want to stop and see the free parade that begins at 2 pm each day. The 14-block parade route begins near the Haunted House, and goes north on Cosgrove Street, west on Randall Avenue, and south on Underwood Street.
Phone out of juice? Visit Ramberg Music Cafe for free water and phone charging at their Relax & Recharge Station. They also have music performances throughout the day, of course.
Other phone charging stations include:
This section will be updated soon!
Consult the Deals, Drawings & Giveaways guide for all of the FREEBIES! Some of my favorites this year include:
Whether you're looking to save on tickets, parking, food, or entertainment, there are plenty of ways to pinch your pennies and still have plenty of fun on a budget at the Minnesota State Fair.
What other ways do you save money at the Minnesota State Fair? Leave a comment and share your experience!
For more tips and tricks, check out Kristi's post on Cheap and Free Fun at the Minnesota State Fair!
The post 25 Ways to Save Money at the Minnesota State Fair appeared first on Thrifty Minnesota.