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Content from our friends over at Mommy's Wish List

Friday, September 18, 2009

Get yer State Fair of Texas tickets and food on the cheap

Updated 12:39 p.m., September 30, 2009

by Lea Ann Stundins of Mommy's Wish List

Photo by Scott Dorn

"Fish eye view" of Big Tex

Ah, The Texas State Fair. Admit it, you LIKE food on a stick. You love the mountain of green and purple and aqua blue stuffed creatures your 5th-grader insists on winning on the Fairway every year, regardless of the fact that he used up 6 months worth of allowance to get them. You secretly want to spit from the top of the ferris wheel and see if you can hit that lady with the big hair. And yes, it is her fault for being such a target. You've always wanted to pet a llama. And, by golly, you NEED a funnel cake. (I think it is an essential part of the Food Pyramid).

So pack up the babies and the baby leash if need be, and head over to the Texas State Fair in Fair Park this year. Heck, even Oprah is coming this year ... for the deep-fried butter perhaps? It's a state fair so big it's a national holiday in Dallas. Dallas ISD gives kids a day off school to go, and a free ticket to get in. It's coming up quick ... September 25th to be precise! But, DO NOT PAY RETAIL! Use one of these handy ways to get a discount. Thanks to Claudia for compiling these. These deals are gathered from forums, friends, grocery stores, and neighbors. PLEASE call ahead to the ticket office to confirm your deal before you head out.

Opening Day Sept. 25: Bring a full 20 oz. Coca-Cola product for donation to the North Texas Food Bank. Containers are at fair admission gates. You'll enter the state fair for $4 per donation per person.

DART Combo Ticket: Available at Kroger Food Stores. $16 buys 1 general admission to 2009 State Fair of Texas & round-trip transportation on DART the day of your visit. The new green line drops off at front gate and a second station is located within easy walking distance to the MLK entrance.

Dr Pepper $3 Tuesdays: Every Tuesday, bring an empty Dr Pepper can and enter for $3. Most rides on those Tuesdays (excluding the Thrillway, Texas Star & selected other attractions) are 5 coupons.

Dr Pepper $5 after 5 p.m.: Bring an empty Dr Pepper can to any State Fair admission gate after 5 p.m. and enter for $5.

Kroger "Three for $1" Wednesdays: Admission is $1 for each visitor bringing 3 cans of food for area food banks.

Coke $4 Thursdays: Bring an empty 20 oz. bottle of a Coca-Cola product and enter the Fair for $4 admission.

HealthSpring and Mature Texan Magazine sponsor of Seniors Day: FREE Thursdays for Senior Citizens 60 years and older.

FREE Cinemark Thursdays: Free admission with a Cinemark Theater ticket stub on Thursdays.

KISS-FM “Fridays at the Fair”: Half-price admission and half-price rides after 5 p.m. on any Friday. Must present coupon printed from KISS-FM website for admission offer. Half-price ride wristbands will be distributed from KISS booth outside Midway Arch from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Fridays only.

Dickies Day: Friday, October 16, wear and show your Dickies logo clothing item at the staffed tent outside the gate and receive a voucher. The voucher is for FREE admission on Friday, October 16 only.

Any Day McDonald's Deal: McDonald's offers $4 off General Admission with one of their State Fair coupons (available on tray liner or bag stuffers) any day of the Fair. A free child ticket (with purchase of general admission) coupon is also distributed by McDonald’s. Offer may not be combined with any other offer.

Pegasus News content partner - Mommy's Wish List

posted by M.B.

Staff
Verified User
Anonymous

So helpful. Thank you!

TLS Anonymous

2 months ago
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Ooo, looks like I'll be going opening day. I was about to buy tickets from my school for $11.50 but looks like I'll have to go get some cokes bottles instead. Thanks for the heads up. Now, to go find some change for DART. (lol paying for parking)

Jesus Valadez Verified

2 months ago
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I like your style, lady. Thanks for the info!

Michael Anderson Verified

2 months ago
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arrr!

Travis Bush Verified

2 months ago
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Bottle beer for 19.95 at The Texas State Fair......In 2010, They will take Lone Star Food Stamps...maybe.....

alexander troup Verified

2 months ago
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An incredible piece of invaluable journalism, butter balls anyone?

Brad LaRock Verified

2 months ago
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When are they going to have an adult State Fair day.....A/T.... orgins of the orginal corny dogs...

alexander troup Verified

2 months ago
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...5th-grader insists on winning on the ""Fairway"" every year

When I was growing up, it was called the "Midway" seems like there's a sign too.

smonster Anonymous

2 months ago
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SURELY they didn't change the name of the Midway to the "Fairway." But that would be SO Dallas if they did. Hey, if I bring a glass block from the old Dr Pepper plant, will they give me a discount?

Egorsti Anonymous

2 months ago
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I doubt it has changed..betting that is a mistake.

Travis Bush Verified

2 months ago
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$5 after 5,is that every day? or just weeknights? Would we have to get off the rail,and get on another rail,to get to the green line, from Plano? Haven't been to the fair in 20 yrs and would like some of that fried butter.

david torres Verified

2 months ago
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You will have to ride the Red line all the way to some station in Downtown Dallas. Get off and wait for a Green train to pass by.

Jesus Valadez Verified

2 months ago
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If I am not mistaken, I believe you can get off the train at City Place and take the 409 bus to the Cullum bus stop, which drops you off right at Fair Park.

Travis Bush Verified

2 months ago
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I'm sure taking the bus is pointless since chances are that you may get stuck in traffic. I'll find out tomorrow.

Jesus Valadez Verified

1 month, 4 weeks ago
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If I'm going to be stuck in traffic, I'd rather at least not be driving.

Pavel Lishin Verified

1 month, 4 weeks ago
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Went to the opening day for The Great State Fair....corney dogs 7 dollars, glass of beer 8 dollars,gosh with all the money...folks have it is great to be a big spender....

I love debt....and usery, no really...who is running this town...not my kind of folks and the Dart Railline, blocks the entrance gate,,Smart Dart....had to walk around the area with fenecs and cops to into the BIG STATE FAIR.....

A/T, ..Who's running this town and who is running and ruining our lives..quality of life,bankruptcy...

alexander troup Verified

1 month, 4 weeks ago
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I see discount admission deals, but I do not see anything about saving on food. Did I miss something?

brownfam Anonymous

1 month, 3 weeks ago
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You're absolutely right, brownfam. Our apologies; you can get deals on tickets and rides, but we don't have any food deals in this story.

Sarah Blaskovich Staff

1 month, 3 weeks ago
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The only deal was before the fair opened. You were able to buy $10 worth of coupons for $9 online. Crappy deal though.

Jesus Valadez Verified

1 month, 3 weeks ago
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Not a crappy deal Jesus,a unfair situation,...beside the Fair is run by folks from New Jersey,crooks who are in the Wintenss Protection program, I was told by Deep Elm folks....A/T..Humor, laugh,haha and the deep sigh of having made suckers out of Texans...true Texans..

alexander troup Verified

1 month, 3 weeks ago
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Don't forget the 6 ticket beer in the food building!

Travis Bush Verified

1 month, 2 weeks ago
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There are a few great deals on food, too. The Dairy Council is giving away slices of quesadillas in the Food and Fiber building. Other companies have food samples through the day on a rotating basis. In the same building, the Borden's company has 16 ounce bottles of milk and other drinks for one dollar each. If you go into the Go Texan store in the same building, you can find wonderful brownies in a two-pack for about $1.50. They have other Texas made candy and pies reasonably priced too. The creative arts building often has cooking demos going on, and they put out samples. In the vendor area adjacent to the Creative arts building, the VitaMix demo gives GREAT samples! They have ice cream mocha, tortilla soup and smoothies. Near the Chevy test track, you can get free samples of Pepcid antacid. They will take an instant photo of you if you want it. While you are there, go by the Chevy test track and get a free Camaro T-shirt. It is a nice looking shirt with graphics front and back. The 2009 has more free stuff than I remember in several years. Lots of places have tote bags including the Komen Breast Cancer awareness booth and the Dallas Morning News. Go enjoy the free and cheap stuff, but take some money too, to support the vendors who have had HORRIBLE weather to contend with!