By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Aug 06, 2015 at 12:46 PM

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It's the opening day for the Wisconsin State Fair, and if you're anything like me, at least part of the reason why you're heading through the gates is for the food.  But, especially if you want to taste everything, your food bill is going to add up fast. And then how are you going to pay for your ride down the giant slide?

Here are eight ways to save a bit on your food bill while still eating up a storm at the Fair.

1. Develop a game plan.
There's nothing like being caught off guard by all the options at the Fair.  To make the most of your trip, you need a game plan. Download the printable food lists from wistatefair.com -- which includes lists of new foods, gluten-friendly foods, and food-on-a-stick. Or use the Food Finder to search out foods in any number of categories, including breakfast, kids' portions and Sporkies categories. Then mark off the foods you'd like to try on the State Fair map.

2. Throughout the Fair -- stay hydrated.
You're not going to have any fun if you don't drink enough liquids, especially when you're spending the day in the sun. Fortunately, there's a way to stay hydrated without breaking the bank. Grab your official souvenir cup, which is available at nearly 100 locations throughout the Fair park. The 32-ounce cups are $5, filled with your favorite Coca-Cola product. Refills are just $2.50 at participating vendors. Bonus: you can also use the covered cup to fill up on water at one of the bubblers on the grounds.

3. Grab a bargain book.
Bargain Books will be available for $4 at all Fair Information Centers. The books contain numerous deals on food and souvenirs (68 coupons in all), including $1.50 off a caramel apple from the WI Apple Growers (regularly $5), $1.50 off a jalapeno cheddar corn dog at 3B Corn Dogs (regularly $5), $3 off an order of deep-fried pickle chips at Saz’s (regularly $6), $4 off a chicken and ribs plate from Charcoal Grill Roadhouse (regularly $12), $2 off beer-battered bratwurst at Poncho Dogs (regularly $6) or $1.50 off a jumbo apple fritter at Aggie’s Bakery (regularly $5).

4. Saturday, Aug. 8 -- Sample beef, beef and more beef.
It’s Sentry Foods Day, and they’ve partnered with the Wisconsin Beef Council to bring fair-goers a variety of free product and beef samples. Just head over to Central Park, where samples will be available while supplies last, starting at 10 a.m.

5. Monday, Aug. 10 -- Get your Jelly Belly on. 
Jelly Belly Day means lots and lots of jelly beans! Head over to Central Park to discover the latest Jelly Belly flavors, including flavors like champagne & pancakes and maple syrup. Spin the popular "What’s New" wheel and take your chances; you might get to try weird and wild "Beanboozled" flavors like skunk spray and stinky socks!

6. Tuesday, Aug. 11 -- Go crazy grazin'.
If you're out to try as many Fair favorites as you can, you'll love Crazy Grazin’ Day. All day long, you can sample a wide variety of Fair foods available at more than 50 food vendors for reduced prices. Smaller portions of favorite foods -- including the BBQ pork slider from the West Allis Shrine Club for $2.50, 12 oz. rootbeer floats from Got Milk? for $2.75, a small bag of Sil’s mini donuts for $1.50, a small Door County fish boil for $4.75, a regular sized waffle dog from Chicken & Waffles for $3, a half-pound of chocolate fudge from Morgan’s Fudge for $4, a half order of Rocky Mountain oysters at Big Sky Country Bar & Grill for $4.50 or sweet potato tots from Major Goolsby’s for $4.

7. Don't forget your milk!
Head over to the Milwaukee Bucks Milkhouse at Main Street and Grand Avenue, and grab yourself a cup of delicious milk for just $0.25 cents. This year's flavors include chocolate cream pie, orange creamsicle, banana cream, strawberries and cream and rootbeer.

8. Friday, Aug. 14 -- Put your bacon hat on.
There are plenty of spots around the Fair to get your bacon on just about any day of the week. But, what would State Fair be without an official bacon day? Taste Patrick Cudahy Sweet Apple-Wood Smoked bacon and deli meat products, along with unique recipes in Central Park. 

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.