State Fair of Texas

We plan on going, not this weekend though since it is TX/OU weekend/game.

LOVE the State fair of Texas and yes you are right, it is expensive!! But worth it and fun!

We've already gone - went the first Monday it was open. It was fantastic. We have gone every year since my oldest was 2 and we have nothing but fun every year. Need to eat salads every meal for 2 weeks afterwards but so worth it. We save up for it because we know it's expensive but I couldn't imagine not going.

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My parents own a tamale company, and they have a booth at the State Fair of Texas every year in the food building. I used to work it on the weekends just for fun, but my 14yo son is old enough to work now, so he has taken my place. :) It is sooo much fun to work Texas/OU weekend! I can't wait to hear his stories when he gets home on Saturday. He will be exhausted, but excited, too.

We go almost every year. It is possible to do the fair without spending a fortune. The kids get a free ticket and they get off on a Monday for Fair Day and Tuesday for Staff Development. So we usually go on Tuesday, because then I can get in for only $5 with a Dr. Pepper can. Plus some of the rides are half-price. We take the train, which saves money not having to pay to park.

I usually take a couple of water bottles and a few snacks. We all have a $5 Fletcher's Corny Dog and split a Root Beer. Then everyone gets to try one weird fried thing. We don't buy a bunch of food. We always go to the Food and Fiber Building for the free tastings and if the kids are still hungry, we buy the $1 Hot Dogs over by the Old Mill Inn. Best value at the fair!

When my kids were younger, I refused to pay for ANY rides. I just explained that we go to Six Flags for rides, but the Fair is not for rides. We often would not even go to the Midway. Now, they take their own money for the rides.

We love to see the shows - The Bird Show, Dog Shows, Marine Drum and Bugle Show, Acrobats, etc. We always have to walk around at the Automobile Building (I don't get this, it is a guy thing! Go to a car lot! lol). We see the parade and the light show and go home. Always have a great time without spending a fortune.

This year they announced that they are going to open in the summer!?! It will be one price admission to ride all the rides, just like at Six Flags. Can't believe they have not thought of this before. Kind of crazy to have all of that open for only one month out of the year. Haven't heard what the price will be or what all will be open, but it sounds like it might be fun.

Here are this year's discounts. We use a discount every year or else we would not go.

Purchase Advance Tickets at Kroger: Avoid standing in line by purchasing your advance tickets when you're out grocery shopping at Kroger. Advance purchase General Admission tickets are $14.50. A Season Pass is $34.95. They may be purchased at the check-out counter or at the service desk. The season pass includes a one-day companion ticket (good Monday-Friday) and one Cinemark ticket. DART Combo ticket is $17 and only available at Kroger. It includes a one-time round trip on DART and Fair admission.

Kroger Can Food Drive: Any Wednesday. Admission is $2 for each visitor bringing 3 cans of food for area food banks.

Senior Day: FREE Thursdays--Senior Citizens 60 years and older get in to the State Fair FREE each Thursday. Sponsored by Renewal by Andersen.

Any Day: McDonald's offers $3 off General Admission with one of their State Fair coupons (available on tray liner or bag stuffer) any day of the Fair. A half price child (with purchase of general admission) coupon is also distributed by McDonald’s. Offer may not be combined with any other offer.

Opening Day, Sept. 28, 2012: Bring a full 20 oz. bottle of Dasani water (or any Coca-Cola product) for donation to the North Texas Food Bank containers at Fair admission gates and get in for $6 per (per donation) per person.

Dr Pepper $5 Tuesdays: Any Tuesday, bring an empty Dr Pepper can and enter for $5. Most rides (excluding the Thrillway and the Texas Star) are 5 coupons.

Dr Pepper $8 after 5: Any day after 5 p.m. Bring an empty Dr Pepper can and enter for $8 after 5 p.m.

Coke $6 Thursday: Bring an empty 20 oz. bottle of a Coca-Cola product and enter the Fair for $6 admission.

Dickies Day is Thursday, Oct. 11 only: Anyone wearing a Dickies logo clothing item will receive a free voucher for admission to the Fair on October 11, 2012.

Cinemark Thursdays: Present Cinemark Movie Theatre ticket stub and receive free admission on any Thursday.

KISS Fridays: Download and print a coupon from the KISS-FM website. Admission is $11 with the coupon. Discount is off of general admission only – when purchased at a State Fair of Texas admission gate with coupon.

Reduced Admission on Midway Rides on Tuesdays: The kids will want to go to the State Fair any day -- but there's a special offer on Tuesdays. Most rides in the Midway are reduced to only 5 coupons as part of the Dr Pepper promotion on Tuesdays. Thrill rides and the Texas Star are not included. But you can ride Winky the Whale for only 5 coupons on Tuesdays.

Enjoy!

The only times I've ever gone was when I went to Dallas with my husband for OU/Texas. :) Boomer Sooner!

I and my "brother" as well as my family and our SOs were hoping to go. Then we learned how much it would cost just to get in...YIKES!

Instead, we've decided to save up the money and try to go next year.