Discount N.C. State Fair tickets now available

The N.C. State Fair starts October 15 this year and there are plenty of ways to save, including discount tickets that went on sale Monday! Read on for all the details including ways to get into the fair for free!

The following list includes ways you can cut your costs at the fair including entrance fees, ride tickets, food cost and even a free breakfast for seniors!

Seniors 65 and older: FREE every day!

Kids 5 and younger: FREE every day!

Military adults: $6 at the gate every day for Active-duty service members, reservists, retirees, National Guardsmen and their dependents (ages 13-64). Veterans are also offered the $6 discount for themselves and one discounted ticket for a guest or dependent. Proper ID required. See the Fair website for a list of accepted identification.

Child’s ticket group discount: Purchase 40 or more children's tickets in advance of the fair at the same time for $2 per ticket.

Purchase group tickets online or at the advance sales locations. The group discount available Aug. 1 through Oct. 15. The adult and child tickets cannot be combined. You have to get 40 of either the adult or the child tickets to get the discount.

• If you don’t get to the gate by 1:30 p.m., you do not get the $10 back. The card is good only on the day purchased and only for adult admission.

The Family 4-Pack includes: 4 admission tickets and 2 ride sheets for $44. You'll save $32 off regular gate price and $8 off the advance ticket price. The Family 4-Pack offer is available online only through October 15. Once you pay for the offer online, you will receive a print-at-home ticket. Local and state sales taxes are included in the price.

If you REALLY like going to the fair, you can buy a Mega Pass allowing you 11-day access to the N.C. State Fair. The pass is $66.00. You'll save $44 off gate admission and $22 off the advance ticket cost. The passes are available online only through October 15 and will be a print-at-home ticket. You can have it scanned at the gate one time per day during the Fair. You can't use the ticket to gain entrance for multiple people in a single day. As with all advance tickets, there are no refunds offered on Mega Passes.Local and state sales taxes are included in the ticket price.

Spend multiple days at the fair with the Mini Pass. You'll get 4-day access to the N.C. State Fair for $24.00. You save $16 off gate admission and $8 off the advance price. The passes are available online only through October 15 and will be a print-at-home ticket. You can have it scanned at the gate one time per day during the Fair. You can't use the ticket to gain entrance for multiple people in a single day. As with all advance tickets, there are no refunds offered on Mega Passes.Local and state sales taxes are included in the ticket price.

Buy Advance Sale Ride Tickets through October 15 online or at walk-up locations (see the State Fair website for list of walk-up locations): $10 for a sheet of $18 tickets (at the fair they are $1 per ticket so buying in advance saves you a lot of money)

Online ticket purchases will be subject to a convenience fee.

For a list of walk up locations, head to their website.

Entrance cost same as advanced sales: $8 for adults and $4 for kids

Preview Day Ride Wristband for $28. Good for unlimited rides from 3 PM until Midnight (weather permitting). The wristbands can only be bought at ticket booths on the Midway at the Fair on October 15. They cannot be purchased in advance. The wristband is only good on October 15.

Students can buy a $5 admission ticket by presenting their school identification or recent (2015) report card at the ticket booth on Friday. October 16. You save 50% off the regular ticket price. These tickets are not available online or in advance. One ticket may be purchased per student ID at the reduced price. Taxes are included in the ticket price.

Powers Great American Midways will offer a 2nd unlimited ride wristband day on Friday, October 16, from 10 am to closing. The wristband is $34 and can be purchased at the midway ride ticket booths in the fairgrounds. They can't be purchased in advance. Individual ride tickets and ride sheets purchased in advance can still be used on this day, in addition to the unlimited ride wristband.

Senior Citizen’s Day is Tuesday, October 21.

Seniors get a free Bojangles breakfast and entertainment at the Senior Citizen Fun Festival on October 20. The breakfast event will take place in Dorton Arena from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

Parking and handicap parking will be available in Carter Finley Stadium (Gate A).

Remember, Seniors who are 65 or older get in to the fair for free every day!

North Carolina Education Lottery Military Appreciation Day is Wednesday, October 21.

The first 3,000 people in to the fair will receive a 4” x 6” United States flag.

11:00 am: Military Appreciation Parade starting behind the Scott building.

There are a number of other free events at Dorton Arena to honor our military on October 21 that will be announced on their website soon.

Remember that Military adults get a discounted ticket of $6 at the gate every day

The annual Hunger Relief Day is Thursday, October 22. Bring five cans of Food Lion brand food to the N.C. State Fair on Thursday, Oct. 22, and you will receive one free admission ticket.

Look for canned food on sale in the next couple months for as low as .50 per can to get a great deal on admission!

The donated food will go to the The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. They will distribute the cans to those in need in a 34 county area surrounding Raleigh and with Second Harvest Food Banks in other regions, such as Fayetteville, Winston-Salem and Elizabeth City. This is a fantastic way to get a super discount on fair admission AND help your neighbors in need!

* "Sharing food is something we do. Normally the portions are very large and we can also try more things that way."

* "The best way to make sure you don't spend too much is to take in a certain amount of cash and leave the atm card in the car. You will be more selective on what you purchase and once it's gone and you've made that long walk back to your car, you aren't likely to turn around and go back in!"

* "I always pack juice boxes and water for our outings. My 3 years has her own backpack that she puts her juice and snacks in."

What ideas do you have for spending less at the fair?

Have fun and remember: It’s your money – spend it wisely!