FREE State Fair admission Thursday with canned food donation!

This is such a great deal and a wonderful way to help our neighbors in need!

When you get to the fair, bring your 5 cans of food to any gate and they will be exchanged for an admission ticket.

Look for canned food on sale for as low as .50 per can for the best deal.

For instance, Aldi, Lidl and Dollar General have canned vegetables for $0.50 or less every day of the week.

Lidl usually sells their cans of corn for only 33 cents every day and green beans for 38 cents every day. This week, a number of canned veggies (including corn and sweet peas) are on sale Buy One Get One Free making them less than 20 cents each! If you buy 5 cans of corn, the total is less than $1.00 - an excellent deal for fair admission!

This week, through 10/23, Harris Teeter has their store brand canned vegetables on sale for $0.37 each with the e-Vic special! If you buy 5 cans, the total is $1.85 plus tax - a super low price to pay to get in to the fair! You can get a limit of 18 cans with this offer but you must be signed up for their e-Vic offers on their website to get this deal.

The donated food will go to the The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. They will distribute the cans to those in need in a 34 county area surrounding Raleigh. Since 1993, over 4.8 million pounds of food have been donated by fairgoers. This is a fantastic way to get a super discount on fair admission AND help your neighbors in need!

Following are some tips to save you money on fair admission, ride tickets, parking and more so you can have a great time without breaking the bank.

Get into the Fair for FREE during lunch on the weekdays! Here are the details from their website:

* Visit Gate 9 off Trinity Road, or Gate 1 off Hillsborough Street ONLY after 11:30 a.m. on weekdays. This offer is not valid at other gates or on weekends.

* Purchase a lunch card at the gate for $10 with cash (cash sales only).

* Buy your lunch from the many fair food vendors on site. Fair food vendors take cash. ATMS are available inside the fairgrounds.

* Return the lunch card by 1:30 p.m. to the same gate you entered on the same day purchased the card for a full $10 cash refund.

* If you leave later than 1:30 p.m., then you forfeit your $10. The card is good only on the day purchased. This program is only for adult admission.

The annual Hunger Relief Day is Thursday, October 18. Bring five cans of food to the N.C. State Fair on Thursday, Oct. 18, and you will receive one free admission ticket!

Look for canned food on sale in the next couple weeks for as low as .50 per can to get a great deal on admission!

The donated food will go to the The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. They will distribute the cans to those in need in a 34 county area surrounding Raleigh. Since 1993, over 4.8 million pounds of food have been donated by fairgoers. This is a fantastic way to get a super discount on fair admission AND help your neighbors in need!

Online ticket purchases will be subject to a convenience fee.

Students get a $6 admission ticket when they show their school identification or recent (2017/2018) report card at the ticket booth. One ticket per student ID at the reduced price.

Seniors age 65 and over get in free every day of the Fair and on Tuesday, Oct. 16, they also receive a free Bojangles breakfast and entertainment at the Senior Citizen Fun Festival. The event takes place at Dorton Arena from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Military Appreciation Day is Wednesday, October 17.

11:00 am: Military Appreciation Parade starting at the carnival midway.

There are a number of other free events at Dorton Arena to honor our military on October 17 including:

Noon - Military Appreciation Day Program

12:30 p.m. - 440th Army Band

2:30 p.m. - Historical Uniform Revue presented by the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources

4 p.m. - 440th Army Band

6 p.m. - 440th Army Band

Remember that Military adults and dependents get a discounted ticket of $6 at the gate every day

The annual Hunger Relief Day is Thursday, October 18. Bring five cans of food to the N.C. State Fair on Thursday, Oct. 18, and you will receive one free admission ticket!

Look for canned food on sale in the next couple weeks for as low as .50 per can to get a great deal on admission!

The donated food will go to the The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. They will distribute the cans to those in need in a 34 county area surrounding Raleigh. Since 1993, over 4.8 million pounds of food have been donated by fairgoers. This is a fantastic way to get a super discount on fair admission AND help your neighbors in need!

For more information on the special events listed above, head to their website.

For the 2nd year in a row, the N.C. State Fair has a parking lot at the corner of Edwards Mill and Reedy Creek. With quick access to I-40 via Wade Avenue, this is an easy lot to access as you make your way to the Fair. They also provide FREE shuttles. You'll be dropped off just across from Gate 8 on Trinity Road, and pick up will occur at the same location. Shuttles will run continuously. Drop off and pick up will be at Gate B Carter Finley Stadium. Amenities on site will include a covered waiting area, portable restroom facilities and drink machines. Address: 4501 Reedy Creek Road, Raleigh, NC 27607

Reedy Creek Parking Hours

Thursday, Oct. 11: 2 p.m.- 1 a.m.

Friday, Oct. 12 - Sunday, Oct. 21: 8 a.m. until one hour after gates close

Free parking is also available on State Fair, Carter-Finley Football Stadium and PNC Arena properties. Fairgoers are encouraged to take Wade Avenue to the Edwards Mill Extension to park in these lots. There may be exceptions if events are scheduled at Carter-Finley or PNC Arena.

* "Take your own cups-we use ones bought previous years-anything with a lid and/or straw. Many places will refill any cup for $1. Share food-usually big portions so you can share and that leads to trying more things anyway." - from Ashley, 10-2017

* "My tip is to buy your ride ticket sheets at Food Lion for the best price and to avoid the online fee! I was able to use my Huggies Catalina (register coupon) to get a free ride sheet!" - from Heather, 10-2017

* "Sharing food is something we do. Normally the portions are very large and we can also try more things that way."

* "We always take a huge empty cup. A lot of the vendors will refill any cup for $1 :)"

* "The best way to make sure you don't spend too much is to take in a certain amount of cash and leave the atm card in the car. You will be more selective on what you purchase and once it's gone and you've made that long walk back to your car, you aren't likely to turn around and go back in!"

* "I always pack juice boxes and water for our outings. My 3 years has her own backpack that she puts her juice and snacks in."

* "Free samples of food can help fill you up. Go the the Got to Be NC tent for lots of free food samples, including seafood. There is a cheese sampling tent near the Jim Graham building. The commercial and education building has some free food samples including roasted peanuts, maple cotton candy and hush puppies. In the Kerr Scott building you can find samples of meat products, honey cotton candy, peanuts, maple butter and cookies."

What ideas do you have for spending less at the fair?

And while you are sharing, what is your favorite food? Favorite ride? Favorite exhibit? Favorite performance or event?

Have fun and remember: It’s your money – spend it wisely!