Arizona State Fair offers

The Arizona State Fair opened it's gates to a long line of fair goers ready to take advantage of the deals the fair will offer this year.

If you hit at the right times, it will be like walking into a dollar store.

"Lots of free admission deals, cheap admission, ride discounts, there's literally a discount every day," boasted Kristi Walsh, marketing director for the Arizona State Fair.

One dollar admission until 7 p.m. is what drew the crowds in on opening day.

"We hadn't come in a long time, because it was too expensive, but we wanted to take advantage of the dollar," said Melissa Bernal from Chandler.

Bernal and Nicholas O'Hara said they've had to give up on a lot of the things they love to do, just to make ends meet during the struggling economy. The state fair was among them.

"Everything is expensive, even sports games cost a lot of money now to take your family. Food, tickets and parking all cost a lot," O'Hara said.

The Arizona State Fair offered deep discounts last year to draw in the crowds during the poor economy and it worked.

"Our attendance was down a little bit, but without the discounts it would have been much worse. We were very pleased with last year," Walsh said.

This year Walsh and other fair officials are banking on discounts drawing crowds and even added bigger, better discounts to entice families even further.

"Lots of free admission deals, cheap admisstion, ride discounts, there's a deal everyday," according to Walsh.

On $1 Wednesday all rides and games are a buck and admission is free with a donation of an all day bus or light rail pass.

There's free admission on Thursdays between noon and 1 p.m. Plus you can pick up a $5 coupon from Cricket Wireless stores and get an unlimited ride wristband for $20.

For Friday Happy Hour, a buck will get you admission, rides, games, select food items and a show in the general admission seating area.

Saturday and Sunday are BOGO days. Buy one, get one free on admission from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Even ABC15 is jumping in on the action. Every kid that reads three books will get three free rides any day of the week.

"I'm sure a lot of people will end up coming, especially for the $1 admission days," said O'Hara.

For more information on ticket discounts go to the Arizona State Fair website .

The fair runs from now until November 7.

(source:abc15.com)