State Fair’s Early Bird Special offers extra incentives through Sept. 29

Fairgoers can buy discounted admission and ride tickets online in advance of the 2010 N.C. State Fair to save money on North Carolina’s premier fall event. Admission, ride and concert tickets go on sale Monday, Aug. 2, at the State Fair website, www.ncstatefair.org.

“Gate admission prices increased this year by $1, so buying in advance will help families save money,” said State Fair Manager Wesley Wyatt. “Plus, early birds can earn free tickets for purchases made before Sept. 29 through the Early Bird Special promotion.”

Admission tickets at the gate are now $8 for adults and $3 for children. Buying advance tickets will save $2 per adult admission ticket and $1 per child’s ticket. Adult admission tickets for groups of 40 or more will cost $5. An 18-ticket ride sheet will cost $10 in advance, saving fairgoers $8 off the price of ride tickets at the Fair. Children under age 6 and adults 65 and over get in free.

With the Early Bird Special, ticket buyers can earn up to three free adult admission tickets based on the total purchase amount before convenience fees. Spending between $40 and $100 earns one free ticket. Purchases of $100.01 to $200 will earn fairgoers two free tickets, and purchases of more than $200 earn three free tickets.

Admission, ride, grandstand and Dorton Arena concert tickets apply toward the purchase total. The Early Bird Special lasts until Sept. 29, and is good for online sales only. Purchases cannot be combined.

“The N.C. State Fair remains a great value, and our advance sales program keeps this North Carolina tradition a very affordable family outing,” Wyatt said.

N.C. State Fair advance gate and ride tickets will be available at area retail locations beginning Sept. 30. Go to www.ncstatefair.org for more.

The 2010 N.C. State Fair will be held Oct. 14-24 at the State Fairgrounds.