I will concede the fair isn't what it used to be. I will also agree that it's very expensive. However, the joy this fair has brought my children is worth every penny!
Unfortunately today my son was sick and couldn't go. He loves the fair and always has. He passed on going and just walking around with my daughter and me. I braved taking a drama filled, often stubborn 3 yr old girl solo. This was my daughter's first fair experience. She was so excited about going I couldn't not take her.
Admission $10 adults
$5 for kids
4 and under free
Arm bands for the rides $25 each.
She's roughly 38 inches tall so I had to ride a number of rides with her and so there went $50.00.
You have to buy some fair food.
Snow cone, popcorn, pretzel, fried macaroni and cheese bites and some awesome Gordo's tacos. I found Gordo's at the fair several years ago and their food is awesome and the prices are reasonable.
I got out cheaper this year vs years past bc I didn't have my son and one or 2 of his friends. Plus we didn't go down the whole carnival games path this time. She saw some cool stuffed animals but was way more into the rides and the side shows vs the games.
Gordos offers $3.00 tacos and $2.00 bottled water. The quality is superior to anything served at the fair and the prices are the absolute most reasonable. Be aware the habanero salsa on he salsa bar forced me to buy a second water. It was far hotter than the varieties generally found on salsa bars and it's not for the faint of heart! In addition to salsa they had onion, fresh cilantro, limes, 5 or 6 types of salsa, some peppers and some avocado sauce.
The rides: there were several rides, fun houses and activities for her age. A couple roller coasters, several spinning rides such as cars and lady bugs, a carousel, a giant ferris wheel etc.. They did not have as many of the awesome scary looking daredevil rides this time that my son loves but it was perfect for my daughters age.
There was a petting zoo with a large variety of animals- included with the price of admission.
They had live music. Tonight the Bellamy Brothers.
The real attraction to me was the old school traveling road show. They had a hula hooper, a strong woman - yes woman, a juggler/ knife thrower a sword swallower, some freak out magic tricks and a real deal fire eater. It was awesome. It was a group of younger people performing. It reminded me of what you see in older movies with the traveling circus. It was great. My daughter absolutely loved the fire eater of all things. It amazed her. She did not want to leave.
For me, I agree the cost is significant but well worth it for my kids.
We definitely got our money's worth out of the arm bands.
Very highly recommend for younger children. The older ones may not like it as much this year. The adults with no kids also may not be happy with the lack of the Mach V - 70 ft high in the air sling shot spinning rides. It's geared more toward children on this tour. read more