25 Ways to Save Money at the Minnesota State Fair

August 19, 2019 by 1 Comment

Looking for ways to save money at the Minnesota State Fair? We’ve got ’em – you don’t have to break the bank to have a good time!

How to Save at the Minnesota State Fair (1)

The Minnesota State Fair is just around the corner – hooray! Our state fair is incredibly popular, and for good reason! The 2019 Minnesota State Fair runs from Thursday, August 22nd to Monday, September 2nd (Labor Day) with twelve days of fantastic fun and food.

It’s easy to spend big bucks at the Minnesota State Fair with all of the treats, rides, vendors, and entertainment. And it’s totally OK to spend money if you want to! However, if you’re looking for some ways to save money at the Minnesota State Fair, we’ve got lots of different ideas for you!

Ways to Save Money at the Minnesota State Fair

Ways to Save Money at the Minnesota State Fair

1. Buy Discount Tickets

You’ll definitely want to get your tickets in advance, if you can. Pre-fair discount admission tickets are $12 and are valid for any age guest (age 5+). Most people buy their discount tickets at Cub Foods (locations here), but they have been known to sell out so GET TO IT if you’re going this route.

Otherwise you can buy discount tickets in advance online through 9 pm on 8/21/19, swing by the State Fairgrounds Ticket Office, or call Etix at 800-514-3849. If you work for a large company (Target, the state government, 3M, etc.), you maybe be able to get discount tickets through them.

Regular price tickets are $15/adult (ages 13-64), $13/senior (ages 65+), $13/child (ages 5-12), and free for children 4 and under.

ways to save money at the minnesota state fair

2. Visit on a Discount Day

If for whatever reason you don’t buy discount tickets, you can visit on a discount day instead. (It’s actually cheaper in some instances to visit on a discount day vs. buying discount tickets.) When adults are discounted they’ll pay $13 vs. the regular $15 fee. When seniors or children are discounted they’ll pay $10 vs. the regular $13 fee.

Discount Days for 2019 include:

  • Thrifty Thursday (August 22nd)
    • Adults, seniors, and children all receive discounted admission.
    • Deals on merchandise and food for all Fair guests.
    • All-day specials offered on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides and games.
  • Seniors & Kids Day (Monday, August 26th)
    • Seniors and children receive discounted admission.
    • Deals on merchandise and food for all Fair guests.
    • All-day specials offered on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides and games.
  • Military Appreciation Day (Tuesday, August 27th)
    • Discounted admission ($10) for active military, their spouses and kids, retired military and their spouses, and military veterans and their spouses.
    • Deals on merchandise and food for all Fair guests.
    • Early Bird specials offered on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides and games until 1 pm.
  • Read & Ride Day (Wednesday, August 28th)
    • Show your valid public library card to receive discounted admission.
    • All-day specials offered on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides and games.
  • Seniors Day (Thursday, August 29th)
    • Seniors receive discounted admission.
    • Deals on merchandise and food for all Fair guests.
    • Early Bird specials offered on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides and games until 1 pm.
  • Kids & Last Chance Day (Monday, September 2nd)
    • Children receive discounted admission.
    • Deals on merchandise and food for all Fair guests.
    • All-day specials offered on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides and games.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Great Deals, Thrifty Tips

Rockin’ Jump Eagan Discount Passes

August 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment

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Rockin' Jump Eagan Discount Passes

Finding indoor activities for the middle school crowd can be a bit of a challenge. They’ve outgrown most of the indoor play areas and even some of the smaller water parks. One option that works well for this age is an indoor trampoline park, and right now you can buy discount jump passes to Rockin’ Jump in Eagan via Groupon!

Rockin’ Jump discount options include:

  • $20 for two 60-minute jump passes ($30 value) – $10 each
  • $38 for four 60-minute jump passes ($60 value) – $9.50 each
  • $55 for six 60-minute jump passes ($60 value) – $9.17 each
  • $10 for one 60-minute jump pass ($15 value)
  • $325 for a 20 Jumper Party (valid Wednesday – Friday)
  • $266 for a 15 Jumper Party (valid Wednesday – Friday)

Rockin' Jump Eagan Discount

Besides the trampolines, there’s also a climbing tower, dodgeball, basketball, stunt jump airbag, ninja obstacle course, and other features included in the jump pass. They also have an onsite cafe that serves pizza and refreshments.

Please note that the promotional value expires 90 days after purchase, and you must use the entire promotional value in one visit (so if you’re using the $55 option, be sure to bring six people to jump). It cannot be redeemed on Saturdays. You’ll also need to have Rockin’ Jump Socks ($3/pair).

Get your Groupon HERE!

Filed Under: Attractions, Great Deals

Half Price Tickets to Twin Cities Oktoberfest – G’suffa!

August 18, 2019 by Leave a Comment

You’ll have to act now to get discount tickets to the upcoming Twin Cities Oktoberfest at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds October 4th and 5th! Discount tickets are available via Groupon for 50% off:

  • $30 for Friday, 10/04/19: Single-Day Admission and Stein Package for Two Adults ($15/person)
  • $60 for Friday, 10/04/19: Single-Day Admission and Stein Package for Four Adults ($15/person)
  • $30 for Saturday, 10/05/19: Single-Day Admission and Stein Package for Two Adults ($15/person)
  • $60 for Saturday, 10/05/19: Single-Day Admission and Stein Package for Four Adults ($15/person)

Included in your Groupon is general admission, a 24-oz collectible beer stein, and one fill with beer or cider. Tickets are valid for customers ages 21+; children’s tickets are available for purchase on-site. Oktoberfest takes place Friday from 5 – 11 pm and Saturday from 12 – 11 pm.

Twin Cities Oktoberfest returns for their 10th year of celebrating and honoring the Bavarian tradition of food, fun and beer. The event brings together more than 4,000 people at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds Progress Center. The family-friendly festivities feature authentic German food, live music, traditional German entertainment, great people watching, festival games and shopping.

This year’s 10th anniversary event features a tap line-up that includes Summit Brewing’s Oktoberfest, the award-winning Keller Pils, an exclusive brew for Twin Cities Oktoberfest and many other beers along with St. Croix Vineyards wine and hard cider. New food vendors, bands, interactive contests and prizes, and more await you at the 10th anniversary celebration.

Get your Groupon HERE!

Filed Under: Events, Great Deals

Discount Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf at Lilli Putt (Coon Rapids)

August 18, 2019 by Leave a Comment

My kids have been obsessed with the TV show “Holey Moley” lately. It’s like mini golf on steroids! While we’re not quite at the level those golfers are, I know my kids would enjoy a fun mini golf outing as a family. Right now you can grab discount glow-in-the dark mini golf at Lilli Putt in Coon Rapids via Groupon!

Options include:

  • $13 for One Round of Glow-in-the-Dark Golf for Two ($24 value)
  • $25 for One Round of Glow-in-the-Dark Golf for Four ($48 value)

Please note that while Lilli Putt is open all week long for mini golf, bumper boats, and go-kart rides, Glow Golf is only available Friday and Saturday nights. (For discounted bumper boats and go-kart rides, go HERE.)

Your Groupon’s promotional value will expire 9/30/19 and there is a limit of 5 per person.

The castle turrets of Lilli Putt Family Entertainment Center greet travelers from afar, inviting ladies and lords to wile away the day in a trifecta of leisure activities. As an outdoor facility, the entertainment center is open during the warm months of the year, where guests enjoy the towering trees and domesticated dragons that dot the landscape of a challenging mini-golf course where golfers can knock balls over ramps and around aquatic obstacles. For those with a need for speed and fresh air, take a ride on the 2016 track with Lilli Putt’s go-karts, which come in single- and double-seater models or take aim at rivals in bumper boaters take aim with mounted squirt guns.

Get your Groupon HERE!

Filed Under: Attractions, Great Deals

Trading Plastic Handles for Discounted or Free Beer

August 17, 2019 by Leave a Comment

 

Trading plastic handles for free beer?  Who would have thought it was a thing?  Well it’s real and it’s a real deal in MN.

First of all you need to know that the handles are pretty specific.  The handles need to be made by a company called PakTech, which if you aren’t familiar with the company they make some pretty awesome products.  You can look at some of the handles here.

Next you might be wondering where you need to bring them to get discounts or possibly even free beer.  Indeed Brewing is the place to be for free or discounted beer if you bring in handles.  If you bring in one or more handles  you can get you $2 off any one beer. Four or more  handles will get you a free beer. **Limit one per customer.  You can read more about the partnership between Indeed and Paktech here. 

Although you won’t get deals on beer elsewhere, you can still help the environment at other breweries that accept the handles.  You can drop them by the following:

  • Utepils Brewing
  • 56 Brewing
  • Modist Brewing Co.

Image from Indeed Brewery Blog

A little more about the PakTech handles:

According to PakTech’s website, PCR production uses 90% less energy, 100% less petroleum and emits 78% fewer greenhouse gasses than plastic that’s newly created without any recycled materials. In fact, PakTech kept over 100 million gallon-sized jugs out of landfills by reusing them for their handles.

Although these handles are highly recyclable, you may not be able to toss them in with your other recyclable materials at home. Because many local recycling facilities do not recycle rigid plastics, PakTech has implemented a recycling program created for their products where your 4-pack, 6-pack, and 3-pack handles can be recycled sustainably. PakTech works with a variety of plastic reprocessors to create PakTech handles, composite lumber, flower pots, pipe, park benches, and more out of your recycled handles.

Filed Under: Great Deals, Minneapolis, Thrifty Tips

*REMINDER* Goodwill Back to School Sale – Save 30% or 40%

August 16, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Just a reminder – save 40% off clothing this weekend at Goodwill!

As you’re doing your back to school shopping, don’t forget about Goodwill as an option. They’re having a Back to School Sale this month in which you can save 30% or 40%!

Save 30% on your purchase this weekend (August 2nd – 4th), then come back in a couple weeks (August 16th – 18th) to take 40% off your clothing purchase when you show your Goodwill anniversary tote. If you don’t already have the Goodwill 100th Birthday Reusable Tote, it’s available in all stores for $1.99.

*Offer is valid on blue, green, pink and yellow tags only, up to $100 total purchase. Cannot be combined with other offers, promotions or used on prior purchases or gift cards. Valid at Goodwill locations listed on gesmn.org, (not redeemable at Goodwill Outlet, Wholesale, or shopgoodwill.com). See store for details. August 16 – 18, 40% offer is valid on tagged-clothing only.

Filed Under: Great Deals

Discount Paddle Board Rentals on Lake Minnetonka

August 15, 2019 by Leave a Comment

There’s still time to get out on Lake Minnetonka this summer! Save on your paddle board rental with this deal from Tommy’s Tonka Trolley. They have a Groupon offer currently available in which you’ll pay $30 for a two-hour paddle board rental (a $40 value) or $59 for TWO two-hour paddle board rentals (an $80 value).

You’ll get a paddle board, life jacket, map of the area, and safety instructions for paddling around beautiful Lake Minnetonka (launching in Excelsior).

Be sure to make your reservation online after purchasing your Groupon, and note that it expires 8/31/19.

Nestled among the trees that surround Lake Minnetonka, Tommy’s Tonka Trolley’s bright yellow exterior and neon signs lure in passersby with promises of summertime treats and adventures on the water. Their fleet of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards accommodate beginners, who can launch their chosen vessel from a special floating dock built by the nation’s best sturgeon architects. Before sending customers onto the scenic lake, Tommy’s crew instructs them on proper usage and supplies maps showcasing various on-water locals.

Back on shore, staff members serve selections from a menu of hot dogs, sandwiches, and tasty treats. Scoops of Sebastian Joe’s Ice Cream, lauded as one of the nation’s best ice creams by USA Today, pile onto waffle cones and chill taste buds with flavors that range from salty caramel to coffee oreo.

Get your Groupon HERE!

Filed Under: Great Deals

Big Thrill Factory Discount All-Day Play Passes

August 14, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Enjoy a day of indoor fun at Big Thrill Factory in Minnetonka or Oakdale and get a great deal on discount All-Day Play Passes with this offer from Groupon!

Options include:

  • All-Day Play Passes for Two: $47 ($23.50 each)
  • All-Day Play Passes for Four: $90 ($22.50 each)
  • All-Day Play Passes for Six: $130 ($21.67 each)

These All-Day Play Passes are normally $35.99 each, so this is a nice discount! Be sure to purchase the Groupon for the correct location as attractions are slightly different at each one. Passes are valid for all-day play on the following attractions:

  • Laser tag
  • Ropes course
  • Bump-n-spin cars (Minnetonka) or Drop tower (Oakdale)
  • Time challenge
  • Kids’ fun factory
  • X-rider motion simulator – one ride (Minnetonka) or Mini bowling (Oakdale)
  • 40 play points to use on the choice of arcade games and zombie blasters (Minnetonka) or arcade games, go karts, and axe throwing (Oakdale)

Your Groupon is good through 11/17/19, and there is a limit of 2 per person and you may buy 2 additional as gifts. Limit 1 per visit.

Venture out for a day of fun at the #1 family entertainment center in North America. Make the most of state-of-the-art games and attractions including Laser Tag, Go Karts a Ropes Course and more! (vary by location). Sample stellar menu selections, wine, craft beer and enjoy great gathering spots for groups large or small. Big Thrill Factory is the ultimate place to eat, play and celebrate! Located in Oakdale or Minnetonka and online at BigThrillFactory.com

Get your Groupon for the Minnetonka location HERE or the Oakdale location HERE!

Filed Under: Attractions, Great Deals

Minnesota Renaissance Festival Discount Tickets

August 13, 2019 by 1 Comment

Minnesota renaissance festival tickets discount

You can tell we are nearing the end of summer because the Minnesota Renaissance Festival is here! Save by thinking ahead and buying your Minnesota Renaissance Festival tickets NOW!

*NEW* Get BOGO adult admission tickets HERE and pay $24.95 for two tickets! Offer good through 8/31/19.

For a limited time, you can get Minnesota Renaissance Festival discount tickets for up to 20% off when you buy through Groupon! Options include:

  • $21.95 for Single-Day Admission for One Adult (Ages 13+); Valid from August 17 to September 29
  • $13.50 for Single-Day Admission for One Child (Ages 5–12); Valid from August 17 to September 29
  • $64.50 for Single-Day Family Admission for Four People; Valid from August 17 to September 29

The Family Admission is the best deal and is good for two adults and two children or one adult and three children. Note that children 4 and under get free admission.

BUT WAIT! Before you buy your tickets through Groupon, know that you may find a better deal in our list of promotions below.

FREE Honor Roll Ticket

Celebrate your Honor Roll achievement with FREE admission! Just bring your report card to the box office to receive your complimentary honor roll ticket. (I do not know how they define “Honor Roll,” so you may want to call ahead and ask.)

Other Minnesota Renaissance Festival Discounts

This list is organized by weekend as each weekend has a different theme and different promotions. Let us know of any other Minnesota Renaissance Festival discounts you find!

Bold North Vikings Invasion (August 17th – 18th)

  • FREE Admission with Blood Donation – more information HERE.
  • FREE Honor Roll Ticket
  • Spend $250 total at any of the artisan booths, get one free admission ticket to return any of the remaining 2019 weekends

Highland Fling (August 24th – 25th)

  • FREE Honor Roll Ticket
  • BOGO Adult Admission when you bring 5 food donation items to the festival gates
  • $3 off admission for residents of these cities: Belle Plaine, Carver, Chaska, Chanhassen, Elko New Market, Jordan, New Prague, Prior Lake, Savage, Shakopee, Victoria
  • Spend $250 total at any of the artisan booths, get one free admission ticket to return any of the remaining 2019 weekends

Bellies & Beer Weekend (August 31st – September 2nd)

  • FREE Honor Roll Ticket
  • BOGO Adult Admission for active military or veterans, plus discounted admission ($19.95) for other family members

Wine, Chocolate & Romance Weekend (September 7th – 8th)

  • FREE Honor Roll Ticket
  • Half Price Admission for First Responders (law enforcement, firefighter, and EMS personnel)
  • $5 off admission for Sign Language Interpreters on September 7th

Pet Fest (September 14th – 15th)

  • FREE Honor Roll Ticket
  • Discount admission for Boy or Girl Scouts in uniform: $9.95 for Scouts, $18.95 for Leaders
  • Half Price Pet Admission ($5) – yes, you can bring your dog to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival!

Shamrocks & Shenanigans (September 21st – 22nd)

  • FREE Honor Roll Ticket
  • $5 off admission with motorcycle license

Festival Friday (September 27th)

  • FREE Honor Roll Ticket
  • Discount admission: $18.95 for Adults, $16.95 for Seniors, $9.95 for Children
  • Free Grain Belt Beer for patrons with a valid student ID that are of legal drinking age

Oktoberfest (September 28th – 29th)

  • FREE Honor Roll Ticket
  • $5 off admission for workers in the food and lodging service industry on September 29th

Minnesota Renaissance Festival Information

The Festival is only open Saturday and Sundays August 17th through September 29th with the exception of Labor Day (Monday) and Festival Friday, September 27th. Parking is free, otherwise you can also take a free shuttle from Mystic Lake in Prior Lake.

Filed Under: Attractions, Great Deals

Minnesota Vikings Wall Print – Just $4.49!

August 13, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Football season is back! Show your Vikings pride with this Minnesota Vikings Wall Print for just $4.49 from Jane.com! Choose from 8×10 or 11×14.

Please note that the frame is not included and this is not a digital download – you will receive an actual print. Shipping is $3.45 for the first item and $0.20 for each additional item, so consider stocking up on additional prints to give to your fellow fans!

If for some reason you’re a fan of another team, Jane.com has all 32 NFL teams available to order for these Modern Football Team Prints.

Football season is here!Show your team spirit with these modern, chic wall prints, great for any time and place. Choose from every NFL team. The perfect way to show your team spirit in the home, office, or anywhere else! Each print is professionally printed on 80 lb. uncoated, archival paper and cut to size (11″ x 14″or 8″x10″).

Get yours HERE!

Filed Under: Great Deals, Sports
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