Bargains and Ways to Save at the 2014 Minnesota State Fair

ST. PAUL, MINN. (08/07/2014)(readMedia)-- The 2014 Great Minnesota Get-Together begins just two weeks from today. This year's 12 days of fun feature a variety of discounts, special days and money-saving tools.

Before-the-Fair Savings

Pre-fair discount admission tickets are $10 (a $3 discount off the regular adult admission price and a $1 discount off the regular seniors and kids admission prices) and are valid any day of the fair. Also prior to the fair, Mighty Midway and Kidway ride & game tickets are $15 for a sheet of 25 (a $10 savings), and Blue Ribbon Bargain Books are $4 ($1 off the regular price).

Discounted State Fair admission tickets, Mighty Midway and Kidway ride & game tickets and Blue Ribbon Bargain Books are available through Aug. 20 at the State Fairgrounds Ticket Office, participating Cub Foods stores and numerous locations in greater Minnesota and western Wisconsin (while supplies last). Discount tickets and Bargain Books may also be purchased at mnstatefair.org until 5 p.m. on Aug. 14. A complete list of sales outlets is available at mnstatefair.org or by calling (651) 288-4400.

During the fair, regular admission is $13 for adults (13-64); $11 for seniors (65+); and $11 for kids (5-12). Children (under 5) are always admitted free. Mighty Midway and Kidway tickets purchased at the fair are $1 per ticket, $25 per sheet of 30 or $40 per sheet of 54. Throughout the fair, Blue Ribbon Bargain Books are $5 and available at State FairWear Gift Shops and Bargain Book & State Fair Poster Carts.

Special Deal Days

The State Fair kicks off with savings for families on Thrifty Thursday, Aug. 21. Discounted admission for adults (13-64) is $11 and kids (5-12) is $8.

Monday, Aug. 25 is Seniors & Kids Day. Seniors (65+) and kids (5-12) are admitted for just $8.

Military Appreciation Day is Tuesday, Aug. 26 when active military and their families, as well as retired and veteran military and their spouses, are admitted for just $8 when they purchase admission at the gate with documentation of U.S. military service.

Wednesday, Aug. 27 is Read & Ride Day. Guests presenting valid public library cards when purchasing admission at the gate are admitted for the following discounted prices: adults (13-64) $11; seniors (65+) $8; and kids (5-12) $8. (One card is required for each discounted admission.)

Seniors Day is Thursday, Aug. 28. Seniors (65+) are admitted for just $8.

Labor Day, Sept. 1 is Kids & Last Chance Day when kids (5-12) are admitted for only $8.

In addition, many vendors feature special day deals on Thrifty Thursday, Aug. 21; Seniors & Kids Day, Aug. 25; Military Appreciation Day, Aug. 26; Seniors Day, Aug. 28; and Kids & Last Chance Day, Sept. 1. Participating vendors will display a special deal sign and are listed in the Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide available at all information booths (sponsored by CenturyLink) and at mnstatefair.org in mid-August. Select vendors also feature closeout prices on Kids & Last Chance Day, Sept. 1.

More Fun for Less at Mighty Midway &?Kidway

Specials are offered every weekday on rides and games at the Mighty Midway and Kidway (sponsored by Sensodyne and DISH). All-day specials run Thrifty Thursday, Aug. 21; Read & Ride Day, Aug. 27; and Kids Days, Aug. 25 and?Labor Day, Sept. 1. Early Bird specials are offered until 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22; Tuesday, Aug. 26; Thursday, Aug. 28; and Friday, Aug. 29.

Blue Ribbon Bargain Book

The 2014 Blue Ribbon Bargain Book offers 150 coupons (25 more coupons than ever before) worth more than $900 in total savings on food, merchandise and attractions throughout the fairgrounds. Coupons are valid all 12 days of the fair and a preview of bargains is available at mnstatefair.org. Bargain Books are available wherever pre-fair discount tickets are sold before the fair, and at State FairWear Gift Shops and Bargain Book & State Fair Poster Carts at the fairgrounds during the fair. Proceeds support the Minnesota State Fair Foundation mission to preserve and improve fair buildings, grounds and educational experiences.

Free Entertainment and Attractions

This year's State Fair features more free attractions and exhibits than ever, including:

• Nightly fireworks spectacular (sponsored by Mazda)

• Live music and entertainment all day and night at stages around the fairgrounds

• The daily 2 p.m. parade featuring the High School Marching Band Competition (sponsored by McDonald's)

• The Giant Sing Along (presented by Bremer Bank)

• Music and fun just for kids at Family Fair (sponsored by Coca-Cola and DirecTV)

• 3rd Lair BMX and skateboarding demos at The X-Zone

• Ongoing culinary demonstrations at the Creative Activities Kitchen (Creative Activities Building sponsored by Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores; Creative Activities Premium Books sponsored by Gold Medal Flour)

• Dog agility and police K-9 demonstrations outside the Pet Center (sponsored by Sam's Club)

• FAN?Central (sponsored by Xfinity) featuring local sports teams and hometown heroes

• The Minnesota State Fair Horse Show at the Warner Coliseum featuring more breeds, competitions and classes than ever before

• The CHS?Miracle of Birth Center where nearly 200 baby calves, lambs and piglets will be born during the fair's 12-day run

• Fruit, wine, Christmas tree, crop art, flower, vegetable, potato, bee & honey, and pumpkin contests at the Agriculture Horticulture Building (pumpkin contests sponsored by Noosa Yoghurt)

• The Timberworks Lumberjack and Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Shows at The North Woods (sponsored by Good Health Saunas)

• The Kemps Little Farm Hands agricultural education experience (sponsored by Butter Kernel, Cub Foods, John Deere Company, Minnesota Corn Growers Association and Cargill)

• Karaoke and live music in The Garden (sponsored by Treasure Island Resort & Casino)

Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guides (Sponsored by PreferredOne®)

Available for download at mnstatefair.org just before the fair or at any information booth, the Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide details special day deals, items available for $1 or less, freebies and places to sign up and win prizes.

Free Minnesota State Fair App

The free Minnesota State Fair App is the official smartphone user's guide to finding your way around the Great Minnesota Get-Together. This special technology created just for Minnesota State Fair fans uses the popular Food Finder, Merch & More Search and Fun Finder tools to help guests locate their favorites. The app is free and will available for download through the iPhone App Store or Android Market by mid-August.

Free Information & Guest Services

The Great Minnesota Get-Together offers many free services and amenities for guest convenience including:

• Park & Ride service from 33 metro locations

• Trolley rides to the north end of the fairgrounds

• Information booths (sponsored by CenturyLink) stocked with free maps, daily schedules (sponsored by the Minnesota State Lottery), specialty brochures and Deals, Drawings and Giveaways Guides (sponsored by PreferredOne®)

• Medical Aid Stations (sponsored by Regions Hospital) located on the east and west ends of the fairgrounds

• A Wi-Fi hotspot in the west Grandstand Plaza (sponsored by DragNFly Wireless)

For more information about values, special discount days and bargains at the Minnesota State Fair, visit mnstatefair.org.

The 2014 Great Minnesota Get-Together runs Aug. 21 through Labor Day, Sept. 1.