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Fair deal not hard to find

来源：网络发布时间：2009-07-29

　　A tight budget doesn't have to mean skipping this year's San Diego County Fair when there are deals and discounts available for food, admission, rides and even samples – Vitamix smoothies, anyone?
　　“We'll go, because we love the fair,” said Cathy Esqueda of Encinitas, who plans to take her family. “We will do as always and try and hit the specials as much as possible.”
　　The Del Mar Fairgrounds will reopen today at 11 a.m. after being closed yesterday. Today's promotion is “Two Dollar Tuesday,” a deeply discounted entry price, with $2 admission tickets sold at Albertsons stores. Admission includes not only exhibits, contests and events but also live entertainment such as country music star Phil Vassar on the Heineken Grandstand Stage at 7:30 p.m.
　　In addition, children 6 to 12 years old get in free on Tuesdays; it's $7 on other days. Visitors can get $2 food samples from more than 100 vendors on Tuesdays.
　　Discounts for other days, such as PennySaver Value Fridays and Pepsi Pay-One-Price Ride Days, are being aggressively promoted in radio and television spots. The fair drew more than 1.2 million visitors last year, but this year unemployment in the county is running at 9.1 percent and consumers are spending less on nonessentials.
　　Fewer people came out for the opening weekend than did so last year. After the fair drew 35,083 for opening day on Friday, overall attendance of 95,532 on Saturday and Sunday was down 7 percent compared with the first fair weekend in 2008.
　　Fairgrounds spokeswoman Linda Zweig said it's not unusual for opening weekend to be “a little soft” because the fair has a 22-day run. “Some of the people wait and as the momentum gets going we see them come in,” she said.
　　Experts say it's too soon to draw conclusions, because the weekend weather was gray and last year's opening day was a Saturday, which likely boosted attendance that day.
　　Even families watching their budgets say the fair is a must-do event.
　　Cindy Mangold of Rancho Santa Fe plans to take her daughter today for her 11th birthday. Mangold bought $2 tickets at Albertsons and will look for free parking along El Camino Real.
　　“My kids love the fair, but I am a new special-ed teacher in Encinitas and don't have a lot of money,” Mangold said. “I am thankful for the deals that they are doing on Tuesdays.”
　　There are numerous promotions available. On Fridays, for example, fairgoers can receive a PennySaver booklet with more than $500 in savings on food and merchandise. The Pepsi Pay-One-Price Ride Days are Wednesdays and Thursdays; purchase a $30 wristband at the Fun Zone ticket booth for unlimited rides from noon to 8 p.m.
　　Those who want to throw a picnic can bring food to the fairgrounds, although alcohol, knives and glass should be left at home. Free cooler check-in is available at Guest Services.

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