The fair-est deals of all

Looking forward to some “Fair-N-Dipity” at this year’s Central Washington State Fair? The theme, a play on the word serendipity, will focus on “discovering desirable and valuable things unexpectedly at the fair.”

Here, you can discover desirable and valuable things before you ever go to the fair. I’m talking about a deal, friends.

First off, admission for kids ages 5 and younger is always free. Regular admission is $12 for adults, $7 for youth (ages 6-12) and $9 for seniors (65+). Carnival wristbands are $25 Tuesday-Friday and $30 Saturday-Monday.

So, let’s assume you have two adults and two kids, ages 4 and 6. Regular admission plus two wristbands would be $33 plus $50/$60 (depending on what day you go) = $83/$93.

We can do better than that.

First, you can buy discounted carnival wristband vouchers ($22) until 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 at the State Fair Park box office, Banner Banks, Wray’s, Fiesta Foods, Big R and most Yakima AM/PMs. Cash only, except the fair box office, which will accept credit cards.

Advance purchase will save you $3-$8 off the cost of each wristband. That’s enough to buy a corn dog!
Adjusted cost for my example family: $77/$77. If they visit the fair on a weekend, they’ve just saved $16.

Bet we can still do better. Here’s some info about the fair’s promo days that offer a price break on admission/carnival rides:

Friday, Sept. 25 — KIMA TV “Dollar Day”
Deal: $1 Gate Admission (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and $6 parking all day.
Example family: $3 admission + $44 advance purchase wristbands = $47 total ($36 savings). Awesome deal! Without buying wristbands in advance, the total is $53 — still a sweet deal.

Monday, Sept. 28 — Franz Bread Day
Deal: Bring an empty bag of Franz bread with a blue sticker on it, pay $25 for admission and a wristband. One sticker per person is required. Note: This is the only pay-one-price promo day this year. Also, Yakima School District kids will get out of school early, so this is a fairly practical day to go.
Example family (updated 9/24 and 9/26): For the adults, purchase two admissions/wristbands for $50 + $7 youth admission = $57 total ($36 savings). Give the wristbands to the kids. Note: Today, our example family pays a little more with advance purchase wristbands: two wristbands at $22 each + $33 admission = $77 total. But that’s still a $16 savings off the full price (wristbands are $30 today).

Wednesday, Sept. 30 — Pepsi Kids Day
Deal: All kids ages 12 & younger get free admission all day when they bring an empty 12-oz Pepsi can or other Pepsi product can (Mountain Dew, Mug Root Beer, 7-Up, Squirt, Dr. Pepper). Enter through Blue Gate or Gold Gate. One can per youth. Kids must be accompanied by an adult.
Example family: $24 admission for two adults + $44 advance purchase wristbands for kids = $66 total ($17 savings). Without buying wristbands in advance, the total is $74 ($9 savings). And, this deal improves if you have more kids ages 6-12.

Sunday, Oct. 4 — Sonic Family Day
Deal: Pay $25 and receive gate admission for two adults and three youth. No coupon required; just ask for the Sonic Family Day special. (Remember: Kids 5 and younger are always free.)
Example family: $25 admission + $44 for two advance purchase wristbands = $69 total ($34 savings). With wristbands purchased at the carnival = $85 ($8 savings). However, this deal definitely improves when you have more than one child age 6-12.

Also, here’s the entertainment lineup and fair hours each day, in case that helps you decide when to go.

• Friday, Sept. 25: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Jamie Lee Thurston. American Sprint Car Series NW Region.
• Saturday, Sept. 26: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Phil Vassar. American Sprint Car Series NW Region.
• Sunday, Sept. 27: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Juice Newton. Latino Festival: Yolanda Del Rio, Con Mariachi, El Chichicuilote and more.
• Monday, Sept. 28: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Guitar Hero. Red Hot Ride Horsemanship Challenge.
• Tuesday, Sept. 29: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Billy Ray Cyrus.
• Wednesday, Sept. 30: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Boys II Men.
• Thursday, Oct. 1: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. REO Speedwagon.
• Friday, Oct. 2: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Curtis Salgado. Pro-West Finals Rodeo.
• Saturday, Oct. 3: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Little River Band. Pro-West Finals Rodeo.
• Sunday, Oct. 4: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Laura Flores and Sergio Goyri. Demolition Derby.