Who doesn’t have a childhood memory that involves spending time at the local carnival or fair? It seems that most people have gone to one or another at some point in their life and remember key moments that made them feel incredible. Usually, trips to the fair are limited to the summer and autumn months, but they still allow you to feel as if a good chunk of your memories belong with you in this environment. The only problem is fair and carnival prices continue to rise because the economy is in a bit of a slump. Despite this, you can still find amazing ways to take your family to the fair without having to spend a small fortune.

1. Events
Most fairs and carnivals have a lot of different ways to attract visitors . One way is to schedule events that will draw people into the fair prior to the event taking place. Usually, the events are rodeos, circus shows or monster truck derbies that people normally wouldn’t get to see. Although you might be tempted to to pay to go to every event this might be a huge mistake for your budget. One thing you can do is sit down and consider which show is going to be the most entertaining for your family. If you live in an area that often has car and truck shows then you may want to put off shows of this nature. The same can be said for just about any event. When you find the event that works best for you try to plan around it so you can get the full carnival experience before you go to the major event. This will allow you to pay for admission into the fair only once.

2. Visit Booths
Every fair has a good selection of local and spotlight booths that will make the experience superb for all. Generally booths have a lot of information about the region, careers and hobbies that people find interesting. Sometimes, you will run across a booth that really sparks your family’s interest and keep everyone busy for a few minutes. Just checking out the booths can buy you a lot of time at the fair that will keep you from purchasing other items. Of course, many booths do sell items so you should always go thru all of the booths before you decide on what you want to purchase. This is especially important for children. If you don’t have money to spend on booth items then get a car from any vendors you found interesting. This will allow you to get in contact with them later if you choose to buy something when you have more money.

3. Rides
Fairs and Carnivals have some of the most interesting and entertaining rides on the market, so don’t skip out on them. Most of the time you can buy a ride pass for fairly cheap at the games. This usually doesn’t include all of the rides, but it will give you access to most of the rides in the area. The best thing about ride passes is they usually cost around $12 when paying per ride can cost you hundreds before the day is over. There are generally other rides available that are far more expensive, like bungee jumping, but these can easily be avoided to save money. With your riding pass you will easily be kept busy all day with all of the rides alone so make sure to use it as often as you can. You might want to visit the fair a bit earlier so you don’t have to wait in less lines for each of the rides. Rides will also cut down on the amount of food you want to eat, because who really want to scarf down a full meal when you’re feeling a bit on the dizzy side?

4. Shows
The great thing about carnivals and fairs is there are usually a lot of shows to keep you busy throughout the day. Most of the time shows are absolutely free and often enough you won’t even have to find seating ahead of time. There is a spontaneous nature to a lot of fairs and carnivals which really makes the attitude a lot of fun, but it does make planning a bit difficult. The best thing you can do is stop whenever you hear a show going on so you can take a break from the constant walking and relax. Shows will also prevent you from spending money for a little while. Since you’ll already be busy you won’t look for food or other items to fill your time, which will really help you keep your budget right on track. Shows are also a little more entertainment for younger children who need to stop and rest more.

5. Games
It is pretty much inevitable that you, or someone in your family, is going to want to play games while your visiting the fair. This can be a problem if you’re not careful but there are many ways to avoid spending way too much on these items. To begin with you should try to exhaust shows and rides before you venture into the game section. This will allow your family to be a bit more worn down so they will be more apt to leave after playing a minimal amount of games. When you enter the game section you should give everyone a specified number of games they can play. This will allow everyone to think on the games they choose, which will end up taking up a bit of time. When you do decide to play a game make sure you don’t have your money out in the open for the host to see. This will entice them to badger you into buying more rounds, especially if you have children with you. Keep a couple of dollars in your pocket and leave it at that. If you need more then exit the game area and return with the money in your pocket. If the host thinks you’re broke they will more than likely usher you away from the area.

6. Food
Fair food can be some of the most enticing food you’ll see. There’s a lot of new things to try and see, so slow down and think about what you’d like to have before hand. It helps if you plan on eating a heavier meal before you go to the fair as this will help you beat the hunger cravings for a bit longer while you’re out. If you do break down and buy some fair food be careful what you choose. Picking something natural and filling, like the grilled corn or a candied apple, is probably your safest best when it comes to a mid-afternoon snack. If you do choose to buy into the deep fried treats they offer then you might want to look into something a bit unique. You might also want to purchase this snack later on in the evening because greasy food, rides and heat aren’t the best combination for a lot of fair goers. If you eat light throughout the day though, you won’t feel as obligated to buy a huge meal at the fair so you can save the money you didn’t spend on food for other aspects of the fair.

7. Tickets
Usually before a fair begins there will be a wide assortment of groups selling tickets as a fundraiser event. Most of the time the tickets will end up being a bit cheaper than they would be when you buy them at the gate. You will also be helping out a local group who might need more funding than they are getting. If you don’t see a fundraiser booth or are looking to save a bit more cash then you should always try to shop for them at your local grocery store. Grocery stores usually sell them at a discounted price, so you’ll save money and time because you won’t have to wait in a long line. If you’re looking to go even cheaper then you might want to enter a lottery to win tickets or keep a listen out for radio sweepstakes that could allow you to win a free set for you and your family.

8. Souvenirs
The fair is one of the easiest places to get souvenirs for next to nothing. If you begin your souvenir journey in the booth area you might find that you can get a whole lot of neat things for free. A lot of people make promotional items for carnival goers, so take advantage of everything the booths have to offer. From bracelets to little snacks you kids will have a blast just checking out some of the goodies they find. There are also a lot of cheap items for sale, so try to make a budget of $10 or less and go from there. You might be surprised as to how many cool rocks, bracelets, necklaces and other items you can get for a $1! Of course, if you’re looking for a little more than you can always count on your carnival game skills. You might have a knack for winning goldfish or little stuffed animals which will make great souvenir stories to begin with.

9. Water
Water just might be one of the most important things for you to bring along for your trip. Yes, every fair will sell bottles of water, usually at an outrageous price, so don’t fall into that game. Pack a few bottles of water for your family in a small backpack or tote bag so you can easily keep your daily hydrated. Bringing bottles, whether the classic bottle or a reusable bottle of any kind, will allow you to refill your water bottle throughout the day at water fountains. This will prevent you from having to purchase drinks while you’re outside and will ensure the family won’t feel sick after several hours under the sun.

10. Parking
Parking should be the least of your worries when it comes to fair prices, unfortunately prices have shot up in recent years. One way to avoid paying major prices for parking is to park as far away from the fair grounds as you can stand to walk. There is usually a set amount of parking, so finding elsewhere to park might be a whole lot easier. You could also opt out of driving to the fair and take public transportation. Usually this will only cost you a set amount of money per person, so if you’re traveling with a small party it will be cheaper than passing the parking toll. If you’re planning on going out with a large group and want to stay out well past the transits operating hours then it might be one of the rare times that taking a taxi will be cost effective. Of course, if do live close enough to walk to the fair you should do so. Make sure you don’t travel alone though and bring a flashlight for the walk home.

You shouldn’t deprive yourself a day at the carnival just because you feel it won’t be budget friendly. With these tips you can avoid the expensive aspects of the fair and cut straight to the moments that have made fairs such a cherished event throughout history. You will not only have a good time, but will enjoy sharing something from your childhood with the next generation.

Author: Chelsey McQuitty