INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Fair is bringing families together from all over the state. It’s a tradition that’s been going on for the last 167 years. And with so many things to do—including enjoying all of the food, rides and games—a day at the fair can really add up. That’s why FOX59/CBS4 has some cost saving tips for you and your family.
At minimum, a day at the fair will cost $16 for one general admission ticket, but that ticket can go a long way inside the fairgrounds.
“Once you're in the fair, there's over 100 free things to do with your gate admission, so there's endless fun at the fair this year,” said Anna Whelchel, the Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at the Indiana State Fair.
The 100 Free Things To Do at the Fair includes enjoying free live music and entertainment at the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage, seeing hundreds of different animals, experiencing the brand new splash pad, participating in the Great American Duck Show and so much more.
“Most of the fun is walking around and people watching and just the camaraderie with being with friends,” said Beth Langan enjoying this year’s fair. “We are going to go to the pig barn. We like the pigs and the cows and walk through there and the horses because I always talk to them. [We will] go through the 4H things and I always like to see what everyone is doing, the arts and crafts. The cheese thing [sculpture] we want to see that too.”
Fairgoers can also enjoy all of the delicious food while on a budget too with the $5 Value Menu, where anyone can taste their way around the fair for $5 or less.
“The two most popular [items] are the grilled cheese and milkshake, both for $5,” said Brooke Williams, the Director of Communications with the American Dairy Association Indiana. “I think that's why people line up and stay in the lines. They get that item. It’s just $5 for a milkshake and they can walk away and feel cool on these hot days and also get eight grams of protein while doing so.”
But for those who want to spend a little more and experience the Taste of the Fair, fairgoers say the best way to do this is by sharing.
“We want to try a little bit of everything so we just decided instead of us each getting a portion—they are huge, so there's no way I can eat all of this by myself anyway—that we will get a little bit of everything, splitting it,” said Hannah Sher enjoying the fair. “It's a good way to save money at the fair.”
Sher said it’s also important to plan ahead and think of a fair budget ahead of time.
“If you are planning ahead, you can always choose, ‘hey, we are not going to go out to eat,’ or ‘we are not going to Doordash this week because we want to save our money and enjoy food at the fair instead.'”
Depending on the day of the week you go to the fair, that can also be a big cost saver. $2 Tuesdays are back again this year with $2 gate admission, $2 midway rides and $2 food options. And look out for other deal days like Triple A Day on Thursday, August 15.
“You can definitely spend a lot of money at the fair if you want to but you can also come here and do a lot of the free things and get a lot out of it,” said Brent Suozzi while enjoying the fair with his family.
The fair is open every day but Monday. For hours and admission, click here. For more deals and discounts, click here.