Alright! Nobody else seems to be disclosing, but I will let you in our spending.

There are 6 in our family - one teenager - so we have to pay for 3 adult and 3 children tickets to enter. That and parking are in my total amount. We spend approximately $250-300 each year. For us, this is a 6-10 hour family event. We share all of the food that we buy, so nobody is gorging themselves. We make sure that everybody gets to pick something for us to try and we start with breakfast, eating periodically until we go home in the evening. Now that the kids are older, we get tickets for rides and games - which does boost that price up.

We also spend a ton of time visiting the animals and doing other "free" things. Last year we accidently found a precussion group playing outside of the International Bazaar (I think that's what it's called) area that was AMAZING.

And now that you've coersed me into typing the amount out, I am feeling the guilt . . . . a little. My kids have so much fun each year, it really is worth it to plan on that.

Anybody else game to list out their Fair cost and put me to shame on the different price tag they have?!

I LOVE fair food, but I am really cheap...so I go with the intention of buying tons of fair food, but I don't.  There are 4 of us; 2 kids and 2 adults.  We bought two tickets in advance at Cub. ($18)  We parked on the street (about a mile away) so that was free.  My 5 year old went on one ride $3.75...insane!  We brought water and snacks to eat.  My sister-in-law works the mini-donut stand every year so we get free donuts!  You know, they don't taste as good when they are free- it's weird.  We bought hot dogs for the kids, and one thing each for my husband and I to try.  I believe we spent about $30 total inside the gates.  So, around $50 total.

I love the State fair. I have gone every year for about 10 years. Sadly, this year I may not go.  Money is tight. I could not even afford to purchase the presale tickets, which I usually do.

When my children where young, 14 and younger, I did not bring them. To much traffic, to many people and honestly to costly to bring them. They love rides. So for rides we went to Valley Fair every year. I have gone to Valley Fair every year since it opened except this year so I could babysit the younger kids while my children could go without worrying about their babies.

I do not think I ever spent less than a $150 bucks. That would include food, parking, entrance in to the fair and anything I might find. I like to go to where all the sales are going on and buy a thing or two for my kitchen.

Two years ago I went to the fair, I dropped 300 dollars, my then boyfriend spent $150, and I have no idea how much my kids spent.

We always visit the barns, the educatiton building, and international market.  We also stop by the vairious other "free" buildings.

Food must haves for me are fried green tomatoes, corn on the cob, and cheese curds.  My kids will try anything from aligator to deep fried candy bars.

Its all about what you want to experience, how much money you want to spend, and who you go with.

Going with my adult children is enjoyable. I have gone with various friends, with a boyfriend, and a husband. (not in the same year. lol)

People watching is priceless.

I love the concerts.

lv

Jan, you did all that in 2 hours?  Thats impressive!  We were there all day and I feel like we just walked in circles.  It was sooooo busy.

Admission price $11 (no discount anymore for arriving on a bike)

Root beer $3

Cheese curds, which I ate all by myself before meeting up with friends. $5

After the entire tray of cheese curds, I was done for the rest of the day. So, grand total = $19