Checking Out the Best State Fair of Texas Discounts

Supposedly some people still pay full price admission to the State Fair of Texas ($17 for GA and $13 for seniors and kids under 48 inches). That means a family of four is easily looking at $60 just for entry(not including parking, but we recommend taking DART). The good news is there are plenty of discounts you can get for admission. Here are the best discounts available for the State Fair of Texas:

·         Buy your tickets in advance

o   Online - Meh, you’ll only save $2 for GA and $1 for seniors/kids when you buy them at BigTex.com, but then you’ll pay almost $9 in shipping. Nevermind.

o   Kroger – You can buy GA tickets there for $15.50, but they don’t offer the senior or kids ones.

·         Season Passes – If you plan going to the State Fair at least three times (and we assume your cardiologist has given you a refill of your Lipitor), buy a season pass. For just $39.95 you’ll get your season pass, plus a one-day free guest ticket and free rides on the Texas Sky Way and Top o’ Texas Tower during special season pass event. Buy this one at Kroger to save $5.

·         North Texas Food Bank Deals – This one is always good for a great deal that helps people in our community. All food and drinks will be donated to the North Texas Food Bank.

o   Opening Day – Bring a full 20-ounce Dasani or Coca-Cola product and get in for $6. Everyone in your party needs to bring their own.

o   Wednesdays – Bring at least three cans of food on a Wednesday and you’ll get in for $3. Again, everybody needs to bring their own three cans.

·         Senior Deals – Ah, the luxury of getting older – Seniors get into the Fair for $4 off every day. AND, every Thursday is Senior Day, so those folks get in for FREE!

·         Dr Pepper Deals – Each person who brings and empty Dr Pepper can gets $5 admission on Tuesdays or $8 admission after 5 p.m. any day.

·         Coca-Cola Thursday – Bring an empty 20-ounce bottle any Thursday and get it for $6.

·         McDonald’s Coupons – Check your tray liner or bag for State Fair coupons. They’ve got ones that can save $3 off GA admission and $7 discounts for kids.

·         KISS-FM Fridays – Visit the KISS-FM site to print a coupon for each member of your group to get $5 off GA tickets.

·         Group Tickets – If you’ve got at least 20 people, you’ll start seeing the discounts rack up. But going to the fair with 20 other people in the group is going to make it hard to decide which ride to go on next.

***BONUS***

Discount on Midway rides – Tuesdays are a great day to go to the fair. You can get your $5 Dr Pepper ticket, plus all rides (except thrill rides and the Texas Star) are only six coupons! If you like going for the rides, this can be a big saver for you.

Spring Break Block Party in the Dallas Arts District!

On March 14th (Friday!), Dallas Arts District is helping you celebrate Spring Break by closing down Flora and Harwood streets to throw an EPIC Arts Block Party!

Starting at 6:00 pm, the Dallas Museum of Art, Crow Collection of Asian Art, and Nasher Sculpture Center are hosting this free family event. Grab dinner or dessert from gourmet food trucks lining the streets as you enjoy all three museums and participate in special activities, live concerts, guided tours, films, and more!

Click here for all the artsy details.

Texas-Sized Yoga Session on The Bridge this Weekend

It's Thursday afternoon, so you're no doubt planning your weekend as you read this. How many times have you thought to yourself while driving over the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, "Ugh, if I could just get out of my car and do yoga on the bridge, my life would be so much better." Well, Saturday, you'll get your chance thanks to the Trinity Commons Foundation. See the details below, or check out their site.

WHAT
Yoga on the Bridge is a Texas-sized yoga session that will be held in the middle of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, directly below the center white arch.

WHEN
Saturday, March 1, 1 p.m.

CLASSES

A one-hour open level yoga class will run side-by-side with a 45-minute family yoga class. Open level yoga is designed for adults who are new to yoga as well as for experienced practitioners. Instructors and assistants will ensure you have a satisfying experience. The family yoga class is designed for adults and children.

COST
Adults may participate for a minimum $5 donation per person. Your tax-deductible donation supports the non-profit Trinity Commons Foundation and its goal to turn the Trinity River Corridor into Dallas' Central Park. Children may participate for free but must be accompanied by an adult.

LOCATION
Yoga on the Bridge will take place in the middle of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge over the Trinity River in Dallas, TX. Access will be from the west end of the bridge (Singleton Blvd. at North Beckley Ave.). Parking will be available in Trinity Groves and on nearby streets. Some street closures will be in place for other All Out Trinity events. Please consult the map found here.

SPONSORS
Presented by the Trinity Commons Foundation as part of All Out Trinity, the second-annual Yoga on the Bridge is sponsored by SYNC Yoga & Wellbeing and Clairevista Vitality Club.

INSTRUCTORS
Yoga instructors include Jennifer Lawson, Mike Luckock, Julie Wright and Stephanie Spett.

Take Your Pup to Paws on the Prairie at Trinity River Audubon Center

Join Trinity River Audubon Center for the 2nd annual Paws on the Prairie on February 8th, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.. Normally they're bird-watching and tracking wildlife, so this is the one day a year that domestic pets are allowed on their 120 acres and 5 miles of trails.  Learn how you and your dog can help the environment. Exercise mind and body with a fun dog agility course. Don't have a pet? They've got you covered too since you can take home a new friend through their pet adoption partners. Free Family Fun! Great food and doggie giveaways too. Free admission with a $5 parking suggested donation. Click here for all the details

State Fair of Texas Ticket Deals!

Nobody should pay full price for tickets to the State Fair, which opens Friday. Here's a round up of the ticket deals (Thanks to the fabulous people at CultureMap):

North Texas Food Bank deals: On opening day, anyone who brings in a full 20 ounce Coca-Cola product or Dasani water will get into the fair for $6. Also, NTFB has teamed up with Kroger for a special deal every Wednesday, where everybody who brings in at least three cans of food gets in for $3. That means 3 cans for each person. Don’t try to get in a crowd on 3 cans.

It's good to be a senior: Sure, seniors — anyone 60 and over — already get a $4 discount from the regular price, but every Thursday during the State Fair is Senior Day, where those lucky folks can get in absolutely free.

McDonald's coupons: Eat at any area McDonald's, and you're likely to get a coupon for $3 off general admission, good for any day at the fair. They also have a coupon where a child can get in for half price when an adult pays full price, a discount of $6.50.

Dr Pepper deals: Make sure to save up those empty Dr Pepper cans, as each one is good for $5 admission on Tuesdays or $8 admission any day after 5 pm.

Coca-Cola Thursdays: In addition to the opening-day deal, every Thursday is Coca-Cola Thursday, where an empty 20-ounce bottle is good for $6 admission.

Dickies Day: Forget the Coke bottles on Thursday, October 3 — just make sure to wear any piece of clothing with a Dickies logoon it, and you'll get in for free.

Cinemark Thursdays: Movie lovers can trade one piece of entertainment for another on any Thursday, as a ticket stub from any Cinemark theater gets you in for free.

KISS-FM Fridays: Go to the KISS-FM site and print the coupon for $5 off general admission on any Friday. Make sure to print a coupon for every person in your group.

Discount on Midway rides: Saving on ticket prices is one thing, but everyone knows it's the rides and the food that really drive up the cost. If you go on any Tuesday, though, all rides except for thrill rides and the Texas Star are only six coupons, a savings of anywhere between two to six coupons (or $1-$3) per ride.

Dallas Arboretum Dollar Days Start Thursday!

The Dallas Arboretum is offering up the chance to explore its grounds for just $1 next month. The August Dollar Days program allows guests of all ages to enter the Arboretum in exchange for pocket change from 9 am to 5 pm. The $1 admission excludes parking. Sounds like a great time to take the kids, visiting guests, or even your Sig-O to the Arboretum.

Tomorrow is Dollar Day at the Dallas Zoo

Got Thursday plans? Consider changing them. Thursday is Dollar Day at the Dallas Zoo, with $1 admission and dollar deals all day. That means $1 for selected snack items, including canned drinks, hot dogs and ice cream, $1 to feed the lorikeets and yes, kids 2 and younger are still free.

The program, presented by MetroPCS, will run all day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Say hi to  our zoo friendsand send us some cute pictures while you’re there. You may want to consider taking DART (the Red line goes straight to the entrance); parking remains $8.

Dallas Symphony Free Community Summer Concerts Announced!

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra announced its 2013 Community Concerts Series starting on Monday, May 27, with the popular Memorial Day Concert & Fireworks Display at Flagpole Hill. The series includes four outdoor concerts in different Dallas parks and neighborhoods.

The 2013 Dallas Symphony Orchestra Community Concerts Series Schedule:

Monday, May 27, 2013 - 8:00 p.m.

Memorial Day Concert & Fireworks Display at Flagpole Hill

Tuesday, June 4, 2013 - 8:00 p.m.

Exall Park

Wednesday, June 5, 2013 - 8:00 p.m.

Kidd Springs Park

Tuesday, June 11, 2013 - 8:00 p.m.

Paul Quinn College

Click here to get all the details.

Lighting the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Tomorrow Night

The Mayor and City Council, The Trinity Trust, Trinity Commons Foundation and the West Dallas Chamber of Commerce will light the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge on January 10, welcoming Dallas' newest icon to the skyline. The lights will stay lit for 14 days, and then be tested intermittently until the opening celebration March 2-4. 

The lighting will take place between 5:45pm - 6:15pm. Citizens can watch the lighting from the Trinity Overlook at Beckley Avenue and Commerce Street. There is parking and a covered shade structure. 

The Trinity Trust will also announce exciting new details about the opening celebration, Bridging The Trinity For The Love Of The City, including headline musical artists and activities. The Trinity Commons Foundation will announce details of the annual Trinity River Levee Run, and Bridge-O-Rama organizers will reveal additional details about events that will take place in West Dallas; all during the weekend of March 2-4.

For more details on the Margaret Hunt Hill Celebration, and to buy tickets to the March 2 ticketed event, please visit www.mhhbridgecelebration.com. 

Enjoy the Nutcracker by Texas Ballet Theater for only $25

Enter a holiday dream land filled with sugar plums and sweets with Texas Ballet Theater’s performance of “The Nutcracker." With this Local Deal, save up to 50% on tickets to see the holiday classic at Winspear Opera House over Thanksgiving weekend.

The following seating levels are available for all performances Friday, Nov. 25, to Sunday, Nov. 27:

• Orchestra Terrace ... $25 (regularly $51.50)
• Orchestra ... $31 (regularly $61.50) 
• Corps Circle ... $51 (regularly $69.50)

Hear the sounds of one of Tchaikovsky’s most famous scores and experience Texas Ballet Theater's beautiful costumes, sets and choreography. Click here for the details and to get your tickets.

Harwood Street Market at Dallas Farmers Market Tomorrow

Play with Cows and Get Great Samples at Lucky Layla Customer Appreciation Day Next Saturday

From the Cut and Pate via Eats Blog Division:

Lucky Layla Farms and Lavon Farms hosts a customer appreciation day 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 19 (that's a Saturday). It's a chance to visit a working dairy farm with tours led by owner Todd Moore. Families are welcome.

There will be plenty of samples on hand, including cheeses and drinkable yogurt, and the farm store will be open, where you can purchase a number of dairy products, including Grade A raw cow's milk. That's the only legal way to purchase raw milk - at the farm. Lavon Farms is at 3721 N. Jupiter Road in Plano.

How to Save at the State Fair

The State Fair of Texas is always fun but if you’re not careful you can break the bank. Ticket prices rise each year and frankly, it’s a waste of money.  We’ve gathered ways for you to save at the fair. Don’t pay full retail for your ticket. Check out savings below:

Opening Day Savings: On opening day (September 30th) bring a bottle of Dasani water or any coke product to the fair admission gates for donation to the North Texas Food Bank and get in for $5 per donation, per person.

Advanced Ticket Sales Online: Why wait in line or wait til the last minute to purchase your ticket? Buy your ticket in advance online and save a few bucks. (You can even buy Food & Ride Coupons early!)

School Tickets: Every year, school districts in the area send children home with FREE admission tickets. Be sure to use and take advantage of them.

Dickie’s Day: On Thursday, October 6, wear and show your Dickies logo clothing item at the staffed tent outside the gate and receive a voucher for free admission (only valid on 10/06/11).

Museum of Nature and Science members: You should receive your free vouchers in the mail (mine came last week).  Your voucher is good for two free adult tickets and up to four children tickets.

McDonald’s Deals: McDonald’s offers $4 off general admission with their State Fair coupons (you can find these on tray liner or bag stuffers) any day of the fair. A free child ticket (with purchase of general admission) coupon is also distributed by McDonald’s.

Ride the Dart: Parking at the State Fair costs $15! Don’t waste your money on parking, that $15 could go towards some yummy fried food!

Dr. Pepper Tuesdays: Every Tuesday, bring an empty Dr Pepper can and enter for $4. Most rides on those Tuesdays (excluding the Thrillway, Texas Star, and selected other attractions) are just 5 coupons.

Canned Food Wednesday:  Make a quick trip to the store for some canned goods. Each visitor who brings 4 cans of food for the North Texas Food Bank will pay $2 admission.

Senior Citizen Discount: Grab your granny and take her to the State Fair on Thursday! Senior Citizens get in for FREE on every Thursday that the fair is open. (Oct. 6, Oct. 13 & Oct. 20)

Movie Theater Freebie: No, don’t throw away your movie stub! Save it and  Present a Cinemark movie theater ticket stub on Thursday and receive FREE admission.

Coca Cola Thursdays: Bring an empty 20 oz. bottle of a Coca-Cola product and enter the Fair for $5 admission on Thursdays.

Fun Freebies at ATT Performing Arts Center

FREE EVENTS AT THE CENTER THROUGHOUT THE FALL Local Motion, Saturdays at 9am, provides free fitness classes. This week join us for a Zumba class instructed by Gloria Flores, Zumba JAMMER. Patio Sessions this week delivers an amazing performance by Dallas String Quartet. Looking for a relaxing place tolisten to local musicians and enjoy the great outdoors? Join us every Thursday, 5:30pm-7:30pm in Sammons Park. Sunset Screenings, presented in partnership with the Dallas Film Society, brings you free outdoor movie screenings,the third Saturday of each month, in Strauss Square. This week is Waiting for Guffman!

Discount Deal for Texas Discovery Gardens

From rowdy pool parties to sizzlin’ backyard barbecues, you’ve put all five of your senses through the ringer this summer. So if you’re ready for a calm and colorful escape, head to Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park, and wind your way through a breathtaking indoor tropical butterfly house, native wildlife pond, scent garden and more: 1) $4 gets you one adult ticket ($8 value) or 2) $2 gets you one child ticket ($4 value).

Boasting over 2,000 Facebook fans, featured on Dig In, and listed as a must-see DFW attraction by the Dallas Morning News, Texas Discovery Gardens will fascinate and intrigue you. Whip out your iPhone, BlackBerry or Android for a self-guided smartphone garden tour, watch in awe as tropical butterflies take wing at a butterfly release demonstration (everyday at noon), or explore the fragrant Faerie Blanton Kilgore Rose Garden with your nose. Your senses will thank you for treating them to a tantalizing experience at this magical urban oasis. Get it here.

Today is Dollar Day at the Dallas Zoo!

The Dallas Zoo shows its appreciation to the community for its support with $1 admission all day and dollar deals throughout the park. Take the DART Red Line straight to the Zoo entrance to avoid the traffic and save the $7 per car parking fee.

Cheap Discount Tickets for Cirque du Soleil's Dralion

Get tickets to "Dralion" by Cirque du Soleil for $24, regularly $40! This offer is valid on select performances Wednesday-Sunday, July 27-31, at Dr Pepper Arena. Watch nearly 100 performers from around the world mix ancient Chinese circus acts with signature Cirque du Soleil style.

"Dralion" incorporates Eastern philosophy, Chinese acrobatic art and all the expected beauty of Cirque du Soleil shows, with performers offering "one visual gravity-defying stunner after another" according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. With this deal, see the show in Frisco for as little as $24.


Price Level 3 seats are $24 (regularly $40) and Price Level 2 seats are $45 (regularly $75) for the following performances at the Dr Pepper Arena:

• Wednesday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m. (opening night)
• Thursday, July 28 at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, July 31 at 1 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Click here for the deets and to get your tickets.

Cure for the Summertime "I'm Bored" Effects: Tour Texas Motor Speedway for $8!

Summer is a time for vacationing and fun events. Add Texas Motor Speedway’s facility tour to your list; it’s a must-see! Speedway World, Texas Motor Speedway’s official store, offers tours of the speedway’s 1,500 acre facility.

Enjoy a ride around property in an air-conditioned van with several stops along the way. The tour gets underway with a lap around “The Great American Speedway!™” (Subject to availability.) Then see what it’s like to pull into a pit box on the infamous Pit Road. Follow this with a trip to Victory Lane where you can take a photo with friends and family. It’s the same place where your favorites like Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart and more celebrated their victories. Then enjoy the breathtaking view high atop the speedway in a Luxury Suite.

Tours are available every day of the week for only $8! Discounts are available for seniors 65+ and children under 12 years old. Speedway World’s weekly hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call ahead to (817)215-8565 and reserve your tour in advance.

Show off Your Ooh and Aahh Skills

Help Fair Park test the oohs and aahs. They need more volunteers to help check out sight lines from inside the Cotton Bowl as they test Fair Park Fourth fireworks on Tuesday, June 21. Meet outside the Cotton Bowl at Gate B at 8:40 p.m. Questions? Contact Angela Shellene at (214) 871-0783. No parking fee.

Texas Legends Season Ticket Deal & Party at House of Blues

From the Texas Legends:

Congrats to the Dallas Mavericks on winning the NBA Championship! The Texas Legends are proud to be the affiliate of the Mavs... and look forward to a tremendous season this coming November!

In honor of this Championship occasion, the Legends have announced a new - limited time, limited availability - season ticket opportunity. First, in honor of Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki (#41), this "Championship Ticket Plan" can be purchased at a per ticket rate of $641 or $441 (depending on the section) for all 24 Legends home games in the 2011-12 season. However, this plan is only available in bundles of three tickets... and just like the Mavs, the Legends will deliver in the fourth! Buy three "Championship Tickets" and receive a complimentary fourth ticket - courtesy of the Texas Legends in honor of the Mavs Championship!

Furthermore, those who acquire the "Championship Ticket Plan" today will also receive an invitation to the exclusive House of Blues Foundation Room Thursday night Party (tomorrow night) hosted by Legends owner and Mavericks President of Basketball Operations Donnie Nelson! There are some very unique benefits to the "Championship Ticket Plan"... Call them today at 1-214-469-0822to take advantage of this special offer!