Cost-saving tips for your trade fair visit

ESSEX JCT., Vt. (WCAX) – Attending the Champlain Valley Fair can be quite expensive, especially for families, but if you do your research in advance, you can score some bargains.

Wristbands for the rides typically cost $40. Admission is between $7 and $15, and parking is $5. Add in food and people can shell out a lot of money.

That’s why Rachael Armstrong is one of those who looked for ways to save money before taking her family to the fair. Wednesday is Car Load Day, and for $89, every legal passenger in a car gets ride wristbands, parking fees and admission – a significant savings.

“Look for the flyers and check the website because there are different deals every day,” said Armstrong. “You want to get the most for your money, right!”

And it’s also a weekday frenzy – a chance to snag some food deals, too. A Single Pebble has marked down one of its best-sellers by a few dollars. “You get five pieces of fried chicken dumplings,” said the restaurant’s Demi Macias.

And Jay’s Famous Cheesesteaks offers a whole menu of reasonably priced dishes that sell well. “It draws people in pretty well,” says owner Sean Tatro.

He says they donate virtually all of their profits to various charities, especially those that help veterans. That’s because his father served in the Navy and did two tours in Vietnam. Tatro said his father made sure his children knew the importance of giving back. “We lost him in January, so it was even more important to give back to our veterans. So we try to give as much as we can to our veterans groups across the state,” he said.

Jay’s Famous Cheesesteaks typically gives away well over $5,000 per fair season.

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