Best Deals: Spend the Summer at the Fair!

By Michele Blandino

Summer is a time when people traditionally flock to amusement and theme parks. Whether you travel to a distant state to experience the latest thrills or spend a summer afternoon at a nearby amusement park, going on rides, playing games of chance and eating ice cream are all important parts of the rituals of summer.

And, while nothing certainly can beat the thrill of going to one of the big name parks (think: Disney, Universal Studios or one of the Six Flags parks) for most of us, budgets, time, distance or a combination of all three factors will cause us to settle for a trip to the local - and most times, less thrilling - amusement parks.

Fairs, Carnivals and Fests

One way to add a little excitement to your amusement park trip is to take a trip to a local fair. Summer is prime carnival season and so all over the country, organizations ranging from fire departments to 4-H groups host these events as a primary means of raising funds. Some have been held annually for generations, while others will be making their debut this summer.

They will all go by different names: some are referred to as fairs, others are called carnivals and others are fests. There is really no significance to the name although for some, the name is deeply rooted in tradition.

Not all Fairs are the Same

Just as the names used to describe them are different, the fairs themselves are varied in terms of what they offer. Some will feature music, others will have an extensive midway with rides, games and food, while others will provide an opportunity for children to show animals they have raised or produce they have grown. And, in some cases, the fair will feature all of these things.

Because of the varied form fairs can take, you should take the time to investigate the specific fair you are interested in attending before you set out so that you (or your children) aren't disappointed if you are looking for rides and wind up with nothing but show horses and vegetable exhibits.

Finding the Best Deals

Just because these fairs are local events, doesn't mean they are necessarily cheap affairs. Many will have a gate admission fee ranging from a free-will offering to $10 and higher per person. Once inside, you may also have to pay for rides and some attractions, often at an average of one dollar per ride.

If budget is a concern, the best strategy is to scour the local advertisements for the best prices. Some fairs will have promotions in which you can, usually afternoon hours, pay one price in exchange for an afternoon of unlimited rides.

Another money saving strategy is to if possible, avoid making food purchases on the midway. Some of the larger fairs will have, in addition to food concessions on the midway, food tents operated by local organizations. Here, you will find cheaper and for the most time, better quality (read: homemade) food.

How to Find the Fairs

The best way to find fairs and carnivals is to scan the local newspapers. In addition to the actual advertisements, you will probably find schedules for daily events, information regarding discounts and specials, and in some cases, coupons for discounted or free admission.

You can also visit the website for your local tourism board; many organizations will use this forum to advertise their events.