Welcome to the fair…. Its that time of year again for some good old fashioned fun at your local state fair! I have the information for all of the state fairs I found some really fun pictures of our trip last year to the Delaware State Fair. I’ve also written about some great tips on how to save money at your local state fair! Find your state in the listing below and plan your FUN!~ 
This guide includes all state fairs all over the United States – not just my area. I published this guide last month in April 2013 but I know some of you don’t start planning your summer fun at the fair until the weather gets warmer and warmer weather is finally here! Remember that frugal living is about advance planning to you PLAN to save money while still having fun with your family! You might wanna tell your kids about the fair and make it a reward for good behavior – just an idea!
State fairs are such great old fashioned wholesome fun but you can easily drop a couple hundred in 1 night so I have some tips for your before you head out to the fair!
Eat a full meal before you go! You’re not going to have time (or desire) so clean up a big meal so plan something like pizza, salad and bread stick and be sure to use paper plates. It will save you money on food and get you out the door fast. Be sure to use paper plates and cups so you can throw your trash out fast and get in the car to go. (you know Ledo’s pizza is my favorite )
Pack drinks for your family. I packed 2 bottled waters for each person in my family and brought along Kool Aid packets to add to our water in case anyone complained about wanting a beverage with more flavoring. I put my cooler under the stroller so I didn’t have to carry it. If you aren’t bringing a stroller think about a back pack for all of your kid supplies
Talk to the kids in advance and agree that each person can get 1 treat like a funnel cake, candy apple etc. That will help eliminate impulse purchasing yet still gives everyone a treat at the fair.
Check out the animal barns 1st – They’ll frequently close earlier than the midway rides and seeing the animals is a great educational part of the fair!
Check out fair websites before you go to see if there are any special offers or discounts for rides or tickets! Last year the DE State fair had a partnership promotion with Food Lion. For just $10 bucks you could purchase tickets to ride the midway rides all day. There was also another promotion for discounts tickets when you supported the Food Lion Food drive~!
Don’t get lost…. If you have a large family it might be a good idea to give everyone the same color T-Shirt or think about giving everyone a glow stick necklace. Be safe and make sure you have a plan in case a child becomes separated from a parent. Discuss it BEFORE you get to the fair and be 100% SURE the kids understand the plan.
Have fun and don’t forget your camera!
Alabama State Fair – Starts August 30-September 8th
Alaska State Fair– Starts August 22-September 2nd
Arkansas State Fair – Starts October 11-20th
Arizona State Fair – Starts October 12- November 4th
California State Fair – Starts July 12-28th
Colorado State Fair – Starts August 23-September 2nd
Connecticut State Fair – Information Not available
Delaware State Fair – Starts July 18-27th
Florida State Fair – Starts January 7-14th (2014)
Georgia State Fair – Spring Fair Starts May 2-5th .. Fall Fair Starts October 25-November 3rd
Hawaii State Fair – Starts May 24 – June 30th
Idaho (Eastern) State Fair – Starts August 30 – September 7th
Idaho (Northern) State Fair – Starts August 21-25th
Idaho (Western) State Fair – Starts August 16-25th
Illinois State Fair – Starts August 8-18th
Indiana State Fair – Starts August 2-18th
Iowa State Fair – Starts August 8-18th
Kansas State Fair – Starts September 6-15th
Kentucky State Fair – Starts August 15-25th
Maryland State Fair Starts July 10-14th
Louisiana State Fair – Starts October 24-November 10th
Maine State Fair – Starts July 26-August 4th
Massachusetts State Fair – Starts September 13-29th
Michigan State Fair (out of funding)
Minnesota State Fair – Starts August 22-September 2nd
Mississippi State Fair – Starts October 3- 14th
Missouri State Fair – Starts August 8-18th
Montana State Fair – Starts July 26-August 3rd
Nebraska State Fair – Starts August 23-September 2nd
Nevada State Fair – Cancelled
New Hampshire State Fair – Starts August 9- September 2nd
New Jersey State Fair – Starts August 2-11th
New Mexico State Fair – Starts September 12-23rd
New York State Fair – Starts August 22-September 2nd
North Carolina – Start October 17-27th
North Dakota State Fair – Starts July 19-27th
Ohio State Fair – Starts July 24- August 4th
Oklahoma State Fair – Starts September 12-22nd
Oregon State Fair – Starts August 23 – September 2nd
Pennsylvania State Fairs – different counties have different dates
Rhode Island State Fair – Starts August 14-18
South Carolina State Fair – Starts October 12-23rd
South Dakota State Fair – Starts August 29-September 2nd
Tennessee State Fair – Starts September 6-15th
Texas State Fair – Starts September 27-October 20th
Utah State Fair -Starts September 5-15th
Vermont State Fair – Starts August 30- September 8th
Virginia State Fair Starts September 27- October 6th
Washington State Fair – Starts September 20-29th
West Virginia State Fair – Starts August 9-17th
Wisconsin State Fair – Starts August 1-11th
Wyoming State Fair – Starts August 10-17th
Are you living a frugal life? Check out some of the other great articles and ideas on Family Frugal Fun – the frugal living experts!
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