Dozens of Bargains and Ways to Save at 2012 Minnesota State Fair

ST. PAUL, MINN. (08/09/2012)(readMedia)-- The 2012 Great Minnesota Get-Together is just two weeks away. This year's 12 days of fun feature a variety of discounts, special days and bargain-hunting tools.

Before-the-Fair Savings

Pre-fair discount admission tickets are $9 (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 $10 for a sheet of 20 (a $5 savings), and Blue Ribbon Bargain coupon 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. 22 at the State Fairgrounds Box 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 $12 for adults (13-64); $10 for seniors (65 & over); and $10 for kids (5-12). Children (under 5) are always admitted free. Mighty Midway and Kidway tickets purchased at the fair are 75 cents per ticket, $20 per sheet of 28 or $30 per sheet of 44. 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. 23. Discounted admission for adults (13-64) is $10 and kids (5-12) is $7.

Monday, Aug. 27 is Seniors & Kids Day. Seniors (65 & over) and kids (5-12) are admitted for just $7.

Military Appreciation Day is Tuesday, Aug. 28 when active military and their families, as well as retired and veteran military and their spouses, are admitted for just $7 when they purchase admission at the gate with documentation of U.S. Military service.

Wednesday, Aug. 29 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) $10; seniors (65 & over) $7; and kids (5-12) $7. (One card is required for each discounted admission.)

Seniors Day is Thursday, Aug. 30. Guests ages 65 and over are admitted for just $7.

Labor Day, Sept. 3 is Kids & Last Chance Day when children ages 5-12 are admitted for only $7.

Many vendors feature special day deals on Thrifty Thursday, Aug. 23; Seniors & Kids Day, Aug. 27; Military Appreciation Day, Aug. 28; Seniors Day, Aug. 30; and Kids & Last Chance Day, Sept. 3. 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. Select vendors also feature closeout prices on Kids & Last Chance Day, Sept. 3. Last Chance Day deals will be listed in a special flyer available on Labor Day at State Fair information booths.

More Fun for Less at Mighty Midway &?Kidway

Specials are offered every weekday on rides, games and concessions at the Mighty Midway and Kidway (sponsored by Sensodyne). All-day specials run Thrifty Thursday, Aug. 23; Read & Ride Day, Aug. 29; and Kids Days, Aug. 27 and?Labor Day, Sept. 3. Early Bird specials are offered until 1 p.m. on Aug. 24, Aug. 28, Aug. 30 and Aug. 31.

Blue Ribbon Bargain Book

The 2012 Blue Ribbon Bargain Book offers 126 coupons worth hundreds of dollars in savings on food, merchandise and attractions throughout the fairgrounds. New this year, the Bargain Book features five Mighty Midway ride coupons and one Kidway ride coupon for additional savings on several favorite carnival attractions. 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 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: English and Western Horse Shows; the daily 2 p.m. parade; Doggies of The Wild West frontier stunt show; the Giant Sing Along (presented by Bremer Bank); music and fun just for kids at Family Fair (sponsored by Mr. Bubble and Coca-Cola); 3rd Lair BMX and skateboarding demos at The X-Zone (sponsored by Piranha X Action Sports Body Wash); FAN?Central (sponsored by Xfinity) featuring local sports teams and hometown heroes; live demonstrations and competitions at the Education Stage (sponsored by the BIC Pen-sonality Tour); live music and entertainment at stages all around the fairgrounds; High School Rodeos; karaoke in The Garden (sponsored by Treasure Island Resort &?Casino); the CHS?Miracle of Birth Center; Eco Experience; nightly fireworks spectacular; The Kemps Little Farm Hands agricultural education experience (sponsored by Butter Kernel, Cargill, Cub Foods, John Deere Company and Minnesota Corn Growers Association); dog agility and police K-9 demonstrations at the Pet Center (sponsored by Science Diet® Ideal Balance) and much more.

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 Search and Fun Finder tools to help guests locate their favorites. The app is free and available for download through the iPhone App Store or Android Market.

Free Information and Guest Services

The Great Minnesota Get-Together offers many free services and amenities for guest convenience including free trolley rides (sponsored by Gold'n Plump) to the north end of the fairgrounds; cash machines with no TCF fee at the fair (sponsored by TCF Bank); 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; and Medical Aid Stations (sponsored by Regions Hospital) located on the east and west ends of the fairgrounds.

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

The 2012 Great Minnesota Get-Together runs Aug. 23 through Labor Day, Sept. 3.