Fair on a Budget

State Fair of Texas leaks early details on discounts for 2017

State Fair of Texas 2017 is a mere four months away.

Photo by Jason Hays

Is it too early to be thinking about the State Fair of Texas? It begins September 29 which is like four months away. But it's never too early to be thinking about discounts.

The State Fair agrees, and is offering early intel on discounts. Top of the list: Opening day will be free for active military, retired military, and veterans who present valid documentation of military service at the gate. Spouses and children under 18 also get in for free.

First responders will get a free day on October 13. That includes active and retired public law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, and other emergency services agencies, who can also get up to three admission tickets for family members.

Other discounts include:

The Coca Cola discount: On September 29, fairgoers can bring a 20-ounce bottle of Dasani water, or any 20-ounce Coca-Cola product, for donation to the North Texas Food Bank and get in for only $10.

On Thursdays, guests who bring an empty 20-ounce bottle of any Coca-Cola product get in for $7.

The Dr Pepper discount: Every Tuesday, guests who bring an empty Dr Pepper can get in for $6. Discounts even extend to the Midway, with most rides offered at a reduced price on Tuesdays.

The Kroger-NBC 5 discount: Bring four canned food items on any Wednesday and get in for only $4. All canned donations go to the North Texas Food Bank, which helps feed members of the community.

The senior citizen discount: guest who are 60 years and older get in free on Thursdays.

The KISS-FM discount: A coupon will magically appear on 1061kissfm.com on September 1 that gets you $5 off general admission tickets on Fridays.

In addition to the discounts offered on specific days of the week, guests can take advantage of discount opportunities that are available any day of the Fair. For example:

Late night discount: After 5 pm, visitors receive get half price admission when they bring an empty Dr Pepper can.

McDonald's discount: Discount coupons are available at McDonald’s locations throughout North Texas on tray liners and inside their meal bags, and are redeemable any day. You can get $5 off a general admission ticket, or half off a children’s ticket with the purchase of a regular-priced general admission ticket.

DART GoPass discount: Guests can receive discounted tickets by downloading the free DART GoPass app on their mobile devices. When purchased through the app, tickets are $16 for general admission and $12 for children and seniors.

The GoPass app allows users to purchase tickets and download them right to their phones, which will then be scanned at the gate.

Ticket prices for 2017 remain the same as 2016: $18 for adults, $14 admission for children under 48 inches in height and seniors age 60 and older, and free admission for children age two and under.

Season passes will be available for purchase online this summer for $39.99, which include 24-day admission as well as a variety of special pass holder benefits.

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RIP Mark

Colorful Dallas musician and DJ Mark Ridlen passes away at 65

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Mark Ridlen RIP

A bright and colorful light in Dallas' music scene went out: Mark Ridlen, DJ and musician, passed away on November 17, following a bout with cancer; he was 65.

From his appearance in Ron Howard’s 1978 directorial debut, Cotton Candy, to his groups Quad Pi, Lithium X-mas, and a plethora of side projects with scores of DFW musicians, to his full-time job as a professional DJ under the moniker "DJ Mr. Rid," Ridlen had been a steady staple on the local creative scene.

He surfed pretty much every musical wave: from Dallas' epochal dance music scene in the early 80s, to punk rock to his role as one of Dallas' top DJs — the guy you called when you wanted your event to be cool and fun.

Ridlen had been quietly battling kidney and lung cancer for the past three years. Over the summer, he had his second kidney removed, which meant he was on dialysis treatment a couple times a week.

He remained upbeat, but according to friends of the family, two more tumors were recently found in his brain. His family and friends decided to forego further treatment and were by his side when he died.

He remained in demand until his passing. In May, he DJed a party at the Kessler Theater, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Starck Club, the legendary '80s dance music club designed by Philippe Starck, which had a huge influence on Dallas, and which Ridlen was part of.

He was invited to DJ at the Starck Club when it opened in 1984 and remained in that role until the club closed in 1989.

Reid mark ridlen Mark Ridlen (right) with close friend Reid RobiinsonFacebook

From there, he migrated to Expo Park, the underground neighborhood across from Fair Park where art and music ruled. His stints at XPO Lounge, Double Wide, and other neighborhood venues made him a staple in the community.

At the same time, he was a member of Lithium Xmas, a psychedelic art-rock band which he formed with acclaimed musicians Chris Merlick and Greg Synodis.

He was also a pop culture savant with a comprehensive knowledge of music, who balanced a low-key charm with a vibrant sense of style, whether it was a vivid pop-art tunic or a flashy sequinned jacket, he did it all with originality and panache.

In late August, a large circle of musicians and friends rallied to participate in a benefit for Ridlen, to help pay for his medical costs — a sweet indication of the high regard in which he was held.

“I do want people to know that I am not being slowed down by cancer,” Ridlen said at the time. “I'm ready to continue working. I have more-or-less a clean bill of health for the moment, and hopefully that doesn't change.”

Survivors include his mother Nancy and his brother David. A memorial service is in the works with details still to be announced.

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