The Puyallup Fair is back! And while the fair is classic family fun… it can also be overwhelming. So here are eight insider tips to keep you and the kids sane and happy.
The besttip I can give are to not go on the weekends. Here are a few others:
1. Avoid the long lines at the parking lots by parking at the South
Hill Mall and taking the Pierce Transit Shuttle. Ride Pierce Transit’s
“Fair Express Bus” for just $1.50 each way or $3 round-trip. Plus, up
to four children, 13 and under, ride free with a “fare-paying”
passenger. Express buses run often and conveniently drop off and pick
up at the Fair’s Blue Gate
http://www.thefair.com/puyallup-fair/visitor-info/getting-here.php
2. Mark out the entire day. This is a huge event and it takes no less
than 5 hours with children in tow.
3. Kids 5 & under are free.
4. Pack snacks. Fair food is expensive! I feed my kids before we leave
an then plan on one meal and one treat. Which still amounts to about $40.
5. Next year, buy a ticket pack from Fred Meyer. It was $31.95 for 2
admissions, 6 ride coupons (1 coupon per ride instead of buy all those
little funtastic tickets for $1 each and giving up 5 tickets per ride)
and $12 in food vouchers.
4. Consider the Dizzy Pass: The Dizzy Pass ($25) is valid Tue-Thu
(Sept. 9-11) and Mon-Thu (Sept. 15-18). Includes unlimited Funtastic
rides and $3 worth of game coupons. *Great for the school-aged*
crowd. Excludes Extreme Scream.
6. Plan your day before you arrive. Read the schedule and make a plan
of what shows you or the kids want to see (the draft horses, Let’s
Pretend Circus, Pig Races, Trout fishing, etc) then you can prevent
walking back and forth around the ginormous fairgrounds.
7. Give your kids their money when you get there. I have found this
limits the gimmes when they know their allowance right away.
8. Wear walking shoes and bring jackets. The Fair is in the Puyallup
Valley which can be windy in the fall.
Mamikaze can usually be found writing at Life On the Run.