The Oklahoma State Fair is almost here. Here's how discounts can help you save money
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It's almost time for the Oklahoma State Fair.
And thanks to the wide array of discounts available, folks can save a fair amount of money on an outing to the fair, especially if they buy tickets and wristbands in advance and go on a weekday instead of during a weekend.
One of the state's largest annual events, the Oklahoma State Fair is Sept. 14-24 at the OKC Fairgrounds, 3001 General Pershing Blvd.
Here's how much it'll cost you to get into the fair, ride the rides and how you can potentially save money:
How much does it cost to get into the Oklahoma State Fair?
Regular outside gate admission is $15 for adults and children 12 and older; $10 for children 6 to 11; and free for children 5 and younger.
To buy tickets, go to the OKC Fairgrounds Box Office, call 405-948-6800 or go to https://okstatefair.com.
How much does it cost to ride the midway rides, and are carnival armbands a good deal?
Are ride armbands a good deal?
About 60 different rides make up this year's state fair midway, and they all require either individual tickets or unlimited carnival armbands to ride. Rides take between three and six tickets.
Available at the carnival ticket booths, armbands are $35 for Monday through Thursday at the fair and $50 for Friday through Sunday. Each armband has a $1 activation fee.
Although armbands are often a better deal for people who want to ride multiple rides, they aren't for everyone. Armbands are not recommended for children shorter than 36 inches, since there are a limited number of rides they can ride.
People who are shorter than 48 inches — and parents of children shorter than 48 inches — should check the ride requirements online before buying armbands. Several rides require children between 42 and 48 inches tall to be accompanied by an adult.
No refunds will be given on armbands, even due to inclement weather. Upgrades from a weekday to a weekend armband can't be accommodated, either.
Separate tickets are required for the Sky Eye Wheel, billed as North America’s largest traveling Ferris wheel. Each ride on the Sky Eye Wheel is $7.
But the state fair offers several ways to save on tickets, rides and more.
How can fairgoers save on outside gate admission?
Before opening day, fairgoers can save when they purchase outside gate admission tickets in person, online or by phone. Discount gate admission tickets also are available in advance at Oklahoma City area OnCue stores.
Advance outside gate admission is $10 for adults and children 12 and older and $5 for children ages 6 to 11. Admission is free for children 5 and younger.
Season passes, which provide once daily admission all 11 days of the fair for one person, are $30 and only available through Sept. 13. They can be purchased by phone or in person.
How much can fairgoers save with advance carnival armbands?
Fairgoers eager to hit the rides can save $15 by buying carnival armbands in advance.
Advance prices are $20 for Monday through Thursday at the fair and $35 for Friday through Sunday. Each armband still has a $1 activation fee. Advance prices are good through Sept. 13.
Buying in advance also lets fairgoers skip the line at the carnival ticket booths and redeem their voucher for their actual carnival armband once they arrive at the fairgrounds. (Each person who will use a carnival armband must be present at the redemption center for the carnival agent to put on the armband.)
Advance $4 tickets also are available for the Sky Eye Wheel.
How much are advance tickets to Disney on Ice and the Hoofs & Horns Spectacular?
Families excited to check out Disney on Ice, or rodeo fans eager to catch the action at the new Hoof & Horns Spectacular, can save if they buy tickets in advance. Tickets purchased to those attractions on or before Sept. 13 include outside gate admission, a savings of as much $15 per person.
The hotly anticipated "Disney on Ice presents Frozen & Encanto" is skating into Jim Norick Arena for 11 performances Sept. 14-19 during the Oklahoma State Fair. Ticket prices range from $20 to $75. All children 2 and older need a ticket for their own seat; children younger than 2 are admitted free but must sit in the lap of a paying customer.
Set for Sept. 22-23, the Hoof & Horns Spectacular is the state fair's new rodeo concept. Devised by the famed Beutler family of Elk City, it features bucking broncs and freestyle bullfighting. It replaces the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's Xtreme Bulls & Broncs previously offered at the fair.
"Past rodeo events at the Oklahoma State Fair have been PRCA-sanctioned events. This is not. The cowboys are more daring and less structured than PRCA cowboys," said fair spokesman J. Scott Munz.
"Part of the reason for the change was we just wanted to freshen things up a little, and the other part was because talent for after the rodeo was getting too expensive for our size venue. The Hoof & Horns Spectacular does not have a musical performance after the rodeo, so we were able to reduce the prices to make it more affordable for families to enjoy."
Hoofs & Horns ticket prices range from $15 to $25. All children 2 and older need a ticket for their own seat; children younger than 2 are admitted free but must sit in the lap of a paying patron.
What discount days are offered for the 2023 Oklahoma State Fair?
For the best value, fairgoers should plan to attend on weekdays rather than weekends.
On select days, special discounts are available on outside gate admission, carnival rides and tickets to the Sky Eye Wheel:
Thursday, Sept. 14 is Thrifty Thursday: $8 outside gate admission for everyone (except children 5 and younger, who are still admitted for free) and ride armbands for $25.
On Monday, Sept. 18, Tractor Bobs presents Military Monday: All active-duty and retired military service members and their spouses, along with veterans and their spouses, receive free outside gate admission and $5 Sky Eye Wheel tickets. Military IDs or supporting documents are required.
Tuesday, Sept. 19 is Pepsi Triple Shot Tuesday: $3 outside gate admission, $3 each carnival rides, $3 souvenir cup refills and $3 Sky Eye Wheel tickets. No Pepsi can is required.
Wednesday, Sept. 20 is Senior Day: Free admission for senior citizens 55 and older (ID is required) and $5 Sky Eye Wheel tickets.
Thursday, Sept. 21 is Thrifty Thursday again: $8 outside gate admission for everyone (except children 5 and younger, who are still admitted for free) and ride armbands for $25.
Thursday, Sept. 21 is also the new College Day, when college students can get $5 admission. A college ID is required, and one admission is allowed per ID.
What should attendees know about the Oklahoma State Fair coupon book?
For coupon enthusiasts, the state fair again is selling its official coupon book, "The Little Book of Big Deals," at its outside ticket booths, the Jim Norick Arena Box Office, InFAIRmation Booths and the Made in Oklahoma Store inside the Bennett Event Center.
The coupon book is billed as including more than 50 coupons and more than $250 in savings on fair food, fun and shopping.
Regular price is $5 for the coupon book, discounted to $3 on Sept. 14, 19 and 21.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State Fair 2023 tickets: See discounts, ride costs, more
