2011 State Fair dates & discounts

The State Fair of Texas opens today and runs through October 23rd.

This year tickets went up to $16 for adults at the gate. Advance purchase tickets are $14.50 at Kroger's grocery. 

Here are the 2011 discount deals:

Opening Day: Sept. 30th - Bring an unopened 20 oz. or larger Coca Cola product or Dansani Water for donation to the North Texas Food Bank at the Fair admission gates and enter for $4 admission.

Dr. Pepper $4 Tuesdays: Every Tuesday, bring an empty Dr. Pepper can and enter for $4 admission. Some rides are discounted.

Dr. Pepper $5 after 5pm: Bring an empty Dr. Pepper can to any State Fair admission gate after 5pm and enter for $5 admission.

Kroger $2 Wednesday: Admission is $2 for each visitor bringing 3 cans of food for area food banks.

Coke $5 Thursday: Bring an empty 20 oz bottle of a Coca-Cola product and enter the Fair for $5 admission.

FREE Thursdays for Senior Citizens: Senior Citizens 60 years and older get in to the State Fair free each Thursday. All other days senior admission is $12.

FREE Thursday admission with a Cinemark Theater ticket stub.

Any Day - McDonald's offers $4 off General Admission with one of their State Fair coupons any day of the Fair. A free child ticket (with purchase of general admission) coupon is also distributed by McDonald's. Offer may not be combined with any other offer.

Food and ride coupons are .50 cents each and sold in a sheet of 20 for $10. These are discounted at the fair on Tuesdays.

Parking in an official fair lot is $15. Numerous lots are located outside the fairgrounds for less but most do not have security. Or you can buy a DART / Fair combo ticket at Kroger groceries for $17 that includes admission to the fair and a round trip ticket on DART. 

Stop by the Creative Arts building on Saturday, Oct. 23rd when I'll be judging the home made ice cream contest. Yum!

For more information on events, schedules, general information and maps visit http://www.bigtex.com/ .

[where: 75230]