Local fair on a budget

Just because school has started, that doesn't mean summer is entirely over. In many parts of the country provincial or state fairs are still happening. Being close to home doesn't mean it's free, and a family day trip to the fair can become quite an expense. It doesn't have to be. Decide what is important to you, and do it. This might seem counter intuitive to saving money, but it is entirely true. Simply, do the things that you have been looking forward to and avoid the rest. You'll be surprised how much money you save and how relaxing and enjoyable your outing will be.

Follow me through the break and I'll talk about how this rule apply to food, entertainment, marketplace, parking and rides. You'll save lots of money and have a great time!

1. Food
   For me it's fresh lemon aid, for my husband it's whale tails. Everybody has a favorite fair ground treat. Don't deny yourself this bit of summer, but do bring everything else along. If you particularly like their hotdogs, bring your own bag of chips and can of pop, or if you love cotton candy, bring lunch then indulge in a dessert. This will save a lot of money (considering a bottle of water can be as high as $3 at the fair grounds!). It will also save the hassle of fighting your way through the crowds and waiting in different lines, getting food and drinks and desserts. Skip the sub-par hamburger and soggy French Fries, allow yourself one thing you enjoy and bring the rest from home. This is especially true for children who typically like the foods they know well and are just as satisfied with a peanut butter sandwich.
2. Entertainment
   Again, planning is key here. There are lots of good free show, but you still need advanced tickets so you might have to book ahead fo time. There are also some great drop in or street performance shows. Take a look through the schedule and plan your day. If you just turn up you might only catch the end of a few or never really see the ones you were hoping for. Unless there is a big concert or something you've been looking forward to for a while, there really isn't a reason to pay for shows with the variety of free ones being offered.
3. Marketplace
   The marketplace can really hit your wallet. Most fairs offer a list of vendors on their website. Take a look through and see if there is anything you particularly want. This lets you check out the products without a sales person right there and without the rush of a crowd. If there is something you really like or need then go ahead and buy it, but if not, avoid the marketplace all together. A fair isn't really about shopping anyway.
4. Parking
   Parking can be a big hassle and an even bigger expense. At our fair, parking lots are usually full and residents of nearby streets charge up to $20 to park in their driveway or on their lawn. If it's easily accessible, transit is a great option. You can make an adventure out of it for the children and save the trouble of parking. If transit isn't an option, try carpooling with friends, or park a bit further away and explore your city as you walk toward the fair grounds.
5. Rides
   For many people, especially children and teenagers, rides are the main attraction. First off, make sure your whole family knows what to expect. Ar you buying ride passes? a few tickets? or skipping them all together? If they know what they will get going in they will choose carefully, have fun and not be disappointed. Many amusement parks have guardian passes so if you're not interested in rides yourself, get one of those and you can accompany the little ones for a fraction of the cost. Also, keep an eye out for coupons in your local paper.

While summer is winding down, it might be fun to do this one more time this month. This site lists all the state fairs, along with links to the individual websites. You'll find dates, schedules, shows, vendor information and much more. There is lots of good information there that will help with your planning. I couldn't find a Canadian equivilant, but the local fairs usually have their own sites so it should come up in your search.

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