Save money going to the FAIR? ~HA!

**Psyclone Brian** · 08-17-2009, 10:27 AM

Well, you know you are going to blow the 1st $100 bucks just as you walk 12 steps onto the grounds. It's getting ridiculous, just how expensive the fair really is this year! You're not going to change the price of the vendors, but you can save on the cheapest ride you or your family will have all day.

Dart® is asking for $2 per person to ride the bus (round trip) from the capital to the Fair. Well, if you have a big family, or a huge group, ...try this....

1 person (most likely the driver) ...drops "everyone" off at any entrance to the Fair. Then go park at the Capital and spend the $2 for yourself (RT)
And at the end of the day, when everyone is burned out of energy (and ca$h) you "all" conveniently ride back to the capital for free. I know this is a no brainer, but twice now I have witnessed HUGE fam's taking the bus and heavily complaining about the cost of the trip. Hope this helps.

**JP4CY** · 08-17-2009, 10:28 AM

I was surprised that DART didn't give out a ticket for a return trip or something.

**BigBake** · 08-17-2009, 10:33 AM

I would avoid walking across Locust anytime soon Brian. I'm sure there is a mark out on you now for sharing this tidbit.
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**dosry5** · 08-17-2009, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by johnpkelly81

I was surprised that DART didn't give out a ticket for a return trip or something.

I'm more surprised that DART hasn't hit anybody yet during the fair....

**Knownothing** · 08-17-2009, 10:34 AM

Screw that. We just went to adventurland yesterday. It costs more to get in but you can ride all the rides you want for free and they are WAAAYYYY better rides. My kids ask to go there instead of the fair. We went to the fair last year and spent tons of money. Probably more than adventurland.

**richey24** · 08-17-2009, 10:35 AM

So is it $2 round trip or $2 each way?

**The_Architect** · 08-17-2009, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by johnpkelly81

I was surprised that DART didn't give out a ticket for a return trip or something.

Why? You wouldn't just hitch a ride to the capital if your car wasn't there, lol.

**Cydkar** · 08-17-2009, 10:35 AM

Adventureland is cheaper.

**DaddyMac** · 08-17-2009, 10:37 AM

Why not just park at the fair then?

I've parked on the streets to the west for the past few years (including last Friday night) and had little to no issues - it's free and only about a 3-4 block walk. Even the paid lots (like the VFW on Dean) only charge $3.

**2020cy** · 08-17-2009, 10:38 AM

The fair is really starting to be a big money grab. Some of the food and drinks are crazy. I think the best buy is the pork and beef producers.

**jsb** · 08-17-2009, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Psyclone Brian

Well, you know you are going to blow the 1st $100 bucks just as you walk 12 steps onto the grounds. It's getting ridiculous, just how expensive the fair really is this year! You're not going to change the price of the vendors, but you can save on the cheapest ride you or your family will have all day.

Dart® is asking for $2 per person to ride the bus (round trip) from the capital to the Fair. Well, if you have a big family, or a huge group, ...try this....

1 person (most likely the driver) ...drops "everyone" off at any entrance to the Fair. Then go park at the Capital and spend the $2 for yourself (RT)
And at the end of the day, when everyone is burned out of energy (and ca$h) you "all" conveniently ride back to the capital for free. I know this is a no brainer, but twice now I have witnessed HUGE fam's taking the bus and heavily complaining about the cost of the trip. Hope this helps.

There's a church on Grand (maybe 5 or 6 blocks from the fair entrance) that charges $5 for parking. Most of the time there are spots there and you never end up blocked in like you would at a regular house. A few blocks down from that there is a lodge that provides parking and a free shuttle as well. Parking is $5.

As far as the expensive rides, I've never even been in the midway area at the fair. To me, the fair isn't about the rides----if you want the rides go to Adventureland.

**Cyclonepride** · 08-17-2009, 11:35 AM

Walk around the parking lot for a while, and odds are that your family will be taken to the fair for free, provided that you stick to the grill of the bus for that long.

**CYdTracked** · 08-17-2009, 11:44 AM

Yeah, just going to the concert last night:

$7 advance fair tickets x2
$7 parking
$38 concert tickets x2
$5 beers x2

$107 night for 2 right there. Luckily we ate at a family BBQ beforehand!

**richey24** · 08-17-2009, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by travman23

Yeah, just going to the concert last night:

$7 advance fair tickets x2
$7 parking
$38 concert tickets x2
$5 beers x2

$107 night for 2 right there. Luckily we ate at a family BBQ beforehand!

That doesn't really sound like much more than going to a show somewhere else though, maybe the extra $7 for the fair tickets.

**cloneluke80** · 08-17-2009, 12:25 PM

I am going to sneak beverages and sandwiches in my kid's stroller, and yes also do this DART thing...

I figure I can get in and out of the fair for $20.