Ways to save at the State Fairgrounds

The fair opened Thursday, and here are some money-saving tips.

The Blue Ribbon Bargain Book. It contains 100 coupons worth more than $500 in savings on food, merchandise and attractions for $5. It can be purchased in advance or at the State FairWear Gift Shops and State Fair souvenir kiosks. A few standouts: $17 off the "A Prairie Home Companion" two-CD sampler for $25 at MPR's Lake Wobegon store (Judson Avenue near Nelson Street), $10 off a German porcelain ornament at German Specialty Imports (Heritage Square), and 30 percent off any State FairWear T-shirt over $12 at the gift shops in the Visitors Plaza, lower Grandstand and Warner Coliseum.

Park free and ride free. Choose one of 32 locations around the Twin Cities. For a list go to MNstatefair.org/pages/park_ride.html or call 651-288-4400.

Admission discounts. Thursday ($9 for adults and $6 for kids 5 to 12), Monday ($6 for adults 65 and older and kids 5 to 12), Sept. 1 ($9 for adults), Sept. 2 (the new Read and Ride discount of $9 for adults, $6 for adults 65 and older and kids 5 to 12 when you show a valid library card), Sept. 3 ($6 for adults 65 and older), Sept. 7 ($6 for kids 5 to 12).

Best freebies? Check the "Deals, Drawings and Giveaways Guide" on the website for a complete list. Qwest Corp. (W-17, Baldwin Park across from the 4-H Building) has Joe Mauer on-a-stick fans, Concordia University (X-21 Education Building, northeast corner) has sticky notes and sun visors, the American Civil Liberties Union (X-21 Education Building) has pocket-sized Constitutions and the Bill of Rights on-a-stick, the Minnesota Blue Flame Gas Association (O-25 on the west side of Nelson Street between Dan Patch and Carnes avenues) has the ubiquitous yardsticks and Minnesota Forest Industries (X-21 Education Building) has tree seedlings. Go to http://www.mnstatefair.org/2009_pdf/DDGA_web.pdf

Sunset Sunday savings. Selected spots trot out bargains after 8 p.m. Sunday and Sept. 6. A sampling: Get a full slab of ribs for $15 (regularly $22) at Famous Dave's BBQ (K-24 Chambers Street), a burger, fries and 12-ounce drink for $4.50 at Mel's Food (J-26 Liggett Street) and 20 percent off one 100 percent bamboo towel set at Strictly Bamboo (N-23 Upper Grandstand). Check "Deals, Drawings and Giveaways" on the website for a complete list.

Thrifty Thursday deals. A sampling: Retro Image bags (N23 upper Grandstand) discounts all of its inventory 50 percent, Rock Gardens (P-28 Nelson Street) discounts everything 30 percent, and Green Mill (V-17 Cooper Street) offers two pizza slices for $5. Check "Deals, Drawings and Giveaways" on the website for a complete list.

Kids Days deals. On Monday and Sept. 7, get 50 percent off any menu item at Holy Land Deli (U-30 International Bazaar), free painted black eyes on children at Minnesota Rollergirls (R-24 Underwood Street) and 20 percent off all bin fossils and minerals at ZRS Fossils (N-23 Grandstand lower level). Check "Deals, Drawings and Giveaways" on the website for a complete list.

Free Wild West entertainment. Check the fair's website for the complete list of free shows. New this year is Shenaniguns, a comedy Wild West shoot 'em up at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. daily near Heritage Square. All horse shows in the Warner Coliseum are free this year. To check the schedule, go to www.mnstatefair.org/pages/horse_schedule.html.

A bottomless glass of milk for $1. It's not a dime anymore, but at All You Can Drink Milk (N-29 Judson Avenue) moo juice is only a buck for white or chocolate.

Satisfaction guaranteed. The fair still believes that the customer is always right, said State Fair spokeswoman Brienna Schuette. The fair typically gets a few complaints about purchases during the fair, Schuette said, and a half-dozen after that. Each concessionaire is licensed and registered, so consumers should be able to contact sellers during or after the fair ends or get a phone number or address. If a consumer's complaint goes unresolved, a concessionaire cannot return to the fair until it is. In the past 32 years at the fair, three vendors have been told not to return. Unresolved issues are typically the result of bankruptcy or financial troubles, Schuette said. Contact the fair (651-288-4400) if a vendor is unresponsive.