Top Tips for Your State Fair of Texas Trip

The State Fair of Texas has been around since 1886 and is still going strong. Each fall, Fair Park in Dallas hosts a tremendous variety of entertainment for the family, everything from livestock shows, carnival rides, demonstrations, specialty foods and much, much more. In fact, more people attend the State Fair of Texas than any other fair in the USA.  Here are some tips for making the most of your visit to the State Fair of Texas.

Big Tex is a State Fair of Texas icon.

Admission Discounts – Why pay full price for admission to the State Fair of Texas when there are discounts galore?

• Tuesdays

1. Dr Pepper Discount Bring an empty Dr Pepper can on any Tuesday and pay only $3 for your admission.

• Wednesdays

1. Each person who brings 3 cans of food to give to the food bank pays a mere $2 admission on any Wednesday during the fair.

• Thursdays

1. Senior Citizens (60 years of age and older) get free admission to the Texas State Fair on any Thursday.
2. $4 admission for those who bring an empty 20 ounce bottle of a Coca Cola products on a Thursday.
3. Flash your Cinemark Theater ticket stub at the gate on a Thursday and you can get into the fair for free.

• Fridays

1. Visit KISS FM radio for a coupon which lets you into the fair for half-price after 5:00 p.m. on Fridays.

• Any Day

1. If you eat at McDonald’s, check your tray liners and bag stuffers for a variety of State Fair of Texas coupons.
2. Receive $3 off general admission by giving the cashier a Wolf Brand Chili label at the entrance booth.

Corny dogs are classic fair food.

Finding a bathroom – Sure, there are bathrooms located in the food court, but those are the most crowded, and on a busy day, you can be in for quite a wait. For a quicker pit stop, head to the bathrooms in the car showrooms, the Women’s Museum, or the Science Museum instead.

Save money on beverages – While it’s fun to sample the amazing array of deep-fried fair food, it can be pricey. It’s easy to run out of coupons, too, when all you want is something to quench your thirst. The Food and Fiber Pavilion offers several inexpensive drinks (tea, milk, juice, water, and more) that you can purchase with cash. A bottle of chocolate milk, for example, costs a mere $2 there. Another drink deal can be found at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) house, where they offer water and soda for $1.00. This way you can save your coupons for the deep-fried beer and other unique offerings.

What: State Fair of Texas
When: Through October 17, 2010
Where: Fair Park, Dallas, TX (map)
Price: General Admission: $15, Kids under 48” tall: $11, Seniors 60 and over: $11 (and Free every Thursday),
Children 2 and under: Free
More information: Visit the State Fair of Texas official website.

Photo credit: Courtesy of the State Fair of Texas