The kids might be clamoring to go to the State Fair of Texas. But it can be a budget-buster for families, especially if you head straight to the midway, where the colored lights weave hypnotically through the air and giggles call like siren songs.
But your visit can be affordable, fun and even educational. Check out our top five tips for frugal family fairgoers.
And remember that admission to many of the permanent attractions – including The Women's Museum, the African American Museum and Texas Discovery Gardens – will be free (though Texas Discovery Gardens will charge $3 to see the Skies of Butterflies seasonal exhibit), while others will reduce admission fees during the fair.
Attractions mentioned below are free unless otherwise noted.
FIND OUT WHAT'S COOKING
Kids can learn to make Halloween-themed pudding during four free classes led by Barbara Beery, founder of Batter Up Kids Culinary Center in Austin, on Saturday. At the event, kids can pet Borden's spokescow, Elsie (yes, she's a real cow), and a calf named Beauregard.
• Sep. 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Texas Department of Agriculture's Food and Fiber Pavilion.
ANIMAL ANTICS
You can't go wrong with the Children's Medical Center Barnyard, where kids can get up close to everything from kangaroos to pygmy goats. Visitors can pet the animals and purchase cups of feed to give them a treat. For more animal fun, check out the schedule of animal shows, including pig races, Top Flight K-9s and Dancing With the Dogs, all held in the TXU Energy Arena. And don't miss Birds of the World, starring parrot buddies Groucho and Quito, who will sing a variety of songs including "Old MacDonald Had a Farm."
• Children's Medical Center Barnyard: Daily starting at 10 a.m., north of the Cotton Bowl in the livestock area of Fair Park. Free, with a small fee for the optional animal feed.
• Top Flight K-9s: Daily at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. TXU Energy Arena.
• Pig races: Daily at 6, 6:45 and 7:45 p.m. TXU Energy Arena.
• Dancing With the Dogs: Daily at 3, 4 and 5 p.m. TXU Energy Arena.
• Birds of the World: Daily at 1, 2:30, 4:30 and 6 p.m. in the Band Shell. The show is free. A visit to the aviary costs $1 (a portion of which goes to Natural Encounters' Conservation Fund, which helps birds in the wild).
GIRL POWER
The Women's Museum is presenting its own Texas Girls' State Fair, showcasing music, dance, gymnastics, fashion, sports, video and a range of exhibits. Additional highlights include the Let's Go Science Show, starring Dr. Knowitall and Professor Smart, who will demonstrate the principles of physics. MathMovesU will teach math to middle-schoolers through quizzes, puzzles and experiments. On Saturdays and Sundays, younger kids can meet costumed characters Clifford the Big Red Dog at noon and Maya and Miguel at 3 p.m.
• Activities listed below are at The Women's Museum, 3800 Parry Ave. (via Gate 2 off Haskell Avenue).
• Texas Girls' State Fair: Performances daily throughout the museum and on an outside stage.
• Let's Go Science Show: Daily at 11 a.m. and 2 and 5 p.m. (except Oct. 8 and 15).
• MathMovesU: Mondays through Fridays (except Oct. 10 and 13) at noon and 3 and 6 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays and Oct. 10 and 13 at 10 a.m. and 1 and 4 p.m.
CIRCUS SENSATIONS
Check out the Nerveless Nocks, a family of highflying daredevils (related to Bello Nock, the daredevil clown star of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Bellobration show). They will perform thrilling – and free – feats in Gateway Plaza. Although we wouldn't advise the kids to try to duplicate the Nocks' stunts, they can dress up in costume and put on their own free show at Schepps Backyard Circus.
• Schepps Backyard Circus: Daily at 1, 3, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Hall of State lawn.
• Nerveless Nocks: Daily at noon and 2 and 4 p.m. Gateway Plaza.
PRIZES GUARANTEED
OK, maybe you don't want to forget about the midway altogether. You'll have to pay for games and rides, of course, but there is a way to minimize the bottomless-pit factor. The State Fair of Texas is offering game cards in preset amounts, which can help you stick to your budget. And young players, 54 inches and under, are guaranteed to win a prize at booths displaying the "Little Tex" sign. If you have room in your budget for a few rides, KidWay has scaled-down versions including a mini drop tower.
