I can say for certain that this past Monday’s trip to the North Carolina State Fair (with my fellow co-worker Kate) was absolutely, without a doubt the most fun I’ve ever had at the fair. Not only did we over-indulge in greasy, delicious fried food (deep-fried Oreos, anyone?), but we also rode tons of rides, met plenty of good people and had a lot of good clean (and green) fun. And now, I want to share a few tips with you on how to do the same.

Tip #1: Get your tickets early. I know it’s a little late for this year’s fair, but the early bird specials are a great way to save some green. I also recommend still purchasing advance tickets online just to save you a little time from having to wait in lines

Tip #2: Take the bus. Public transportation is a green way to get to the fair, and with all of the parking expenses and heavy traffic, you won’t regret it. It’s practically like getting VIP treatment when you surpass all of the folks hiking from their parking spots and get dropped off right in front of the entry gate!

Tip #3: Bring canned food – get in free! Today and today only is Food Lion Hunger Relief Day, benefiting the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. If you bring four cans of food, you get into the fair for free!

Tip #4: Share food. Trust me when I say there’s no need to get a tray of fried green tomatoes for your very own (if you could eat more than two, I’d be genuinely impressed)! Be sure to share your treats with friends – there will be less waste in the end.

Tip #5: Recycle, of course! Sure, a trashcan may be closer, but taking the extra 100 steps to recycle your cans and bottles will go a long way. Think of how much waste is produced every year!

We’re wishing you all a very happy and safe time at the fair this year. If you have any more fun (or green) tips to share, we’d love to hear them. After all, who doesn’t “Love A Fair?”