The MINNESOTA STATE FAIR

We went to the great MINNESOTA GET TOGETHER on Friday and actually saved some money this year. I know, saving money and the fair doesn't really go together but we decided to try it ... so...

* We parked in a free park and ride lot and took the shuttle to the fairgrounds - saved a $9 parking fee.

* We bought tickets in advance for $8 each instead of paying $9 (senior rate) or $11 (young wife rate). We saved $4 at the gate.

* We had purchased a Blue Ribbon Bargain Book in advance for $4 ($5 if you buy it at the fair) so we saved $14 on two denim shirts ( the ones I always buy at Heritage Square), another $4 on "stuff" at the State Fair store, $2 on coffee when we had our morning scones and we still have a bunch of coupons to use!

So... with all this savings, we still managed to spend $26 on food - Hey, but we were there all day - not bad, huh!

We heard "Ompa" music, saw the lumberjacks climb trees, checked out the DNR fishes, scanned the history of the fair museum, saw the best Christmas trees and apples and grand champion wines, sampled honey, gazed at the garbage sculpture (amazing the variety of garbage taken from the rivers each year), observed the queens observing the judging, did the barn tour and ... well, you know what it's like.

And we collected at least 6 bags in which we found coupons, stashed recipes and other freebies - first time we have gotten lip balm and udder cream samples at the fair. Speaking of coupons, at the WCCO radio booth, they were giving bags with $5 coupons from Grand Casino so today we cashed each of ours in - got a real $5 bill instead of play but we both "reinvested" the money and we came away with $25.80 we did not have before ...

SO... Fair Food only cost us 20 cents! Gosh, next time we go, we may make money ...

AHHHH...Minnesota at State Fair time ...

An Udderly Marvelous Place To Be!