Before-the-Fair Savings

Pre-fair discount admission tickets are $9 (a $3 discount off the regular adult admission price and a $1 discount off the regular seniors and kids admission prices) and are valid any day of the fair.

Also prior to the fair, Mighty Midway and Kidway ride & game tickets are $10 for a sheet of 20 (a $5 savings), and Blue Ribbon Bargain coupon books are $4 ($1 off the regular price).

Discounted State Fair admission tickets, Mighty Midway and Kidway ride & game tickets and Blue Ribbon Bargain Books are available through Aug. 22 at the State Fairgrounds Box Office, participating Cub Foods stores (while supplies last).

Discount tickets and Bargain Books may also be purchased at mnstatefair.org until 5 p.m. on Aug. 14. A complete list of sales outlets is available at mnstatefair.org

Special Deal Days

The State Fair kicks off with savings for families on Thrifty Thursday, Aug. 23. Discounted admission for adults (13-64) is $10 and kids (5-12) is $7.

Monday, Aug. 27 is Seniors & Kids Day. Seniors (65 & over) and kids (5-12) are admitted for just $7.

Military Appreciation Day is Tuesday, Aug. 28 when active military and their families, as well as retired and veteran military and their spouses, are admitted for just $7 when they purchase admission at the gate with documentation of U.S. Military service.

Wednesday, Aug. 29 is Read & Ride Day. Guests presenting valid public library cards when purchasing admission at the gate are admitted for the following discounted prices: adults (13-64) $10; seniors (65 & over) $7; and kids (5-12) $7. (One card is required for each discounted admission.)

Seniors Day is Thursday, Aug. 30. Guests ages 65 and over are admitted for just $7.

Labor Day, Sept. 3 is Kids & Last Chance Day when children ages 5-12 are admitted for only $7.

Specials are offered every weekday on rides, games and concessions at the Mighty Midway and Kidway. All-day specials run Thrifty Thursday, Aug. 23; Read & Ride Day, Aug. 29; and Kids Days, Aug. 27 and Labor Day, Sept. 3. Early Bird specials are offered until 1 p.m. on Aug. 24, Aug. 28, Aug. 30 and Aug. 31.

Free Minnesota State Fair App

The free Minnesota State Fair App is the official smartphone user's guide to finding your way around the Great Minnesota Get-Together. This special technology created just for Minnesota State Fair fans uses the popular Food Finder, Merch Search and Fun Finder tools to help guests locate their favorites. The app is free and available for download through the iPhone App Store or Android Market.

For more information about values, special discount days and bargains at the Minnesota State Fair, visit mnstatefair.org.

The 2012 Great Minnesota Get-Together runs Aug. 23 through Labor Day, Sept. 3.