HOWEVER, my children beg to go every year. This year I gave in because, somehow the sun, stars and moon aligned just right so that the cheapskate in me managed to be somewhat appeased. We went on a "school day" with the Girl Scout Troop, which means the kids were free and my ticket was only $5. As a bonus, parking was also free. The "Body Worlds" exhibit was free and the Butterfly Pavillion was free, too. All in all, how could a cheapskate like me pass that up?
I didn't. The cheapskate in me played some hardball with my kids before I agreed to go, though. They could read and fill out their "Read to Ride" papers to earn three free rides each, and any rides beyond those that they wanted to do would come out of their own pockets. And, there would be.no.fair.food. We packed our own lunches and I brought along a jug of water. Finally, since I had to work in the afternoon, we couldn't stay all day and into the evening.
We started off in the Butterfly Pavillion, which was cool. Everyone was given Q-tips to dip in butterfly food. We had to watch our feet to make sure we didn't step on any butterflies on the ground.
We went into one of the agricultural arenas next. The solar system exhibit and presentation was there. Since I was following my animal-loving two-year-old around while she insisted that the sheep and goats "EAT!", I didn't hear any of that presentation from the folks at the Challenger Space Center. My kids came away with free tickets for various events there, though.
We went into the "Body Worlds" exhibit, too. I left my youngest with a friend in Tot Town, where they played on foam mats, rode on Plasma cars, and the like. I took my 12-year-old son, my 9-year-old daughter and her friend into the exhibit. (There was no photography allowed inside, so I don't have any pictures). My son wanted to read every plaque next to every item. The girls moved through a lot faster. Mid-way through, my daughter's friend, a little grossed out, pointed out that she hadn't seen ANY female bodies yet. Just a few feet further, we came across our first, um, segment of a female body, which left both of the girls completely grossed out that the folks who had put that part of the exhibit together left some hair in the body. My son and I both left with a feeling of profound awe over the complexities of the human body.
With four starving children in tow, we unpacked our lunches next. Since it wasn't very crowded, we were able to eat at some shaded tables.
Following lunch, the kids were OFF for the rides!
My littlest wasn't about to be left out of the fun, so I had to pony up $5 to get some ride tickets for her (for the cheapskates who count, I'm now up to $10). Fortunately, she was tall enough for the kiddie rides!
She rode on two by herself and conned her brother into hopping onto the kiddie tea cups with her.
By that point, we were all HOT (did I mention it was HOT out?!) and thirsty. Our water in the jug was running out. The big kids went into a fun house, and I bought two lemonades. (For the cheapskates counting, that added another $6 to my tally). After that, we headed out. My youngest was asleep in her stroller before we reached the car.
So, I spent $16, not counting gas, at the Arizona State Fair. I had fun. Do I love the fair? No, I still don't love the fair, but I love that my kids had a blast.
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