If it wasn't the $13.00 I paid for nachos and a corn dog. Or $10.00 for a Bud Light in the grandstand. Or the $17.50 ribeye sandwich and Diet Pepsi at the Beef House I'm not sure I'd be writing this article about how you can save some cash at the fair.

I'm not complaining about the prices really. In the age of inflation, beef's expensive. So rising prices at the Beef House aren't that surprising. Not to mention, fair food being expensive isn't anything new. One of my fair favorites, two slices of pizza and drink, has always been outrageously priced. Not to mention, when has beer ever really been affordable at a concert or sporting event? Expensive concessions have always been part of the baked-in expense of state fairs. It doesn't matter if you're talking Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, or Kansas.

That said, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the Missouri State Fair and save some money. When it comes to your fair gate admission pricing your best bet is to take advantage of the $5.00 after 5:00 PM admission special Sunday, August 14 through Thursday, August 18. Or get your fair admission money back with a Lunch Bunch admission between 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM CDT Monday, August 15 through Thursday, August 18.

For carnival rides, your best bet is the Two for Tuesday deal on August 16. Or picking up a coupon from Missouri County Farm Bureau offices good on Monday, August 15, or the coupon in Rural Missouri Magazine good for Friday, August 19.

For concessions, your options are a little limited, but you can find some deals on Tuesday, August 16, or the last Saturday and Sunday of the Fair,  August 20 and August 21.

Here's a listing of the discounts in one handy place that help you save money when you plan your trip to the Missouri State Fair:

Gate Admission Specials

Saturday, August 13 - Firefighters, Police Officers, and EMTs / Paramedics can get free gate admission with proper ID. Immediate family members can get in for $1.00.

Sunday, August 14 - Active Military, Veterans, and delayed entry recruits can get free admission with proper ID. Immediate family members can get in for $1.00.

Monday, August 15 - Save $1.00 off the $12.00 gate admission ticket with a coupon available at County Farm Bureau Offices.

Tuesday, August 16 - Save $2.00 off your gate admission ticket by making a $2.00 donation to Feeding Missouri, or by bringing two non-perishable food items to the tent outside the Centennial ticket booth.

Wednesday, August 17 - Save $2.00 off your adult or senior gate admission ticket by bringing in a special front page sticker from this day's Sedalia Democrat newspaper.

Sunday, August 21 - $6.00 gate admission tickets for adults, $2.00 for kids ages six through 12.

$5.00 admission after 5 PM CDT from Sunday, August 14 through Thursday, August 18.

The Lunch Bunch - You can hit the state fair for lunch Monday, August 15 through Thursday, August 18. Head to the Centennial entrance between 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM CDT and pay the special Lunch Bunch gate admission fee. Return to the Centennial gate with your ticket before 2:00 PM CDT and get your fair admission fee refunded.

Carnival Deals

Sunday, August 14 - Military and immediate family can get a coupon for $5.00 off an unlimited ride wristband good for this day only at the admission gate.

Monday, August 15 - Missouri County Farm Bureau Offices have a coupon where you can get $5.00 off an unlimited ride wristband good for this day only.

Tuesday, August 16 - Most carnival rides will cost $2.00. Some exclusions may apply.

Friday, August 19 - Rural Missouri Magazine has a coupon where you can get $5.00 off an unlimited ride wristband good for this day only.

Tram Rides

Monday, August 15 - Free tram rides for all ages.

Two Dollar Tuesday on August 16

Bell Concessions in the southeast corner of the Coliseum in front of the grandstand is offering $2.00 Pepsi products.

Chittenden Concessions northwest of the Coliseum is offering a special on small popcorn and small snow cones.

Westmoreland Concessions with two locations, one next to Donnelly Arena and one next to Pork Place will be offering a $2.00 small funnel cake.

Creamy Rich with two locations, one in front of the grandstand and one in front of the Family Fun Center is offering a $2.00 single cone.

Kindle Concessions with two locations, one next to the FFA Building and one south of the carnival entrance is offering $2.00 corn dogs.

The Missouri Cattlemen's Beef House will be offering $2.00 baked potatoes, steak fries, or lettuce salad.

Sedalia Shrine Club on Woods Ave, west of the grandstand will be offering $2.00 hot dogs and $2.00 grilled cheese sandwiches.

Youth In Agriculture Day Concession Specials, Saturday, August 20

Bell Concessions in the southeast corner of the Coliseum in front of the grandstand is offering $2.00 Pepsi products.

Chittenden Concessions northwest of the Coliseum is offering a special on small popcorn and small snow cones.

Westmoreland Concessions with two locations, one next to Donnelly Arena and one next to Pork Place will be offering a buy one get one half price special on nachos.

The Missouri Cattlemen's Beef House & Express will be offering an all-beef hot dog and drink for $4.00.

Midstate Cookers southwest of the Agriculture Building is offering a half-price extra large soda with the purchase of any meal item. Limit one per order.

Sedalia Shrine Club on Woods Ave, west of the grandstand will be offering $2.00 hot dogs and $2.00 grilled cheese sandwiches.

Half Price Day Concessions Specials, Sunday, August 21

Chittenden Concessions northwest of the Coliseum is offering a special on small popcorn.

Westmoreland Concessions with two locations, one next to Donnelly Arena and one next to Pork Place will be offering half-price small slushies.

Kindle Concessions with two locations, one next to the FFA Building and one south of the carnival entrance is offering half-price funnel cakes.

Midstate Cookers southwest of the Agriculture Building is offering a half-price extra large soda with the purchase of any meal item. Limit one per order.

The Missouri Cattlemen's Beef House & Express will be offering $1.00 drinks.

Sedalia Shrine Club on Woods Ave, west of the grandstand will be offering $2.00 hot dogs and $2.00 grilled cheese sandwiches.