Elkhart County 4-H Fair attendees warn of "Fair-Flation"

ELKHART, Ind. -- The Elkhart County 4-H Fair opened their gates Friday morning, kicking off 9-days full of fair food, concerts, rides and more.

However, those rides have caused some mixed feelings among fair attendees. Some feel the rides require too many tickets per single ride, like Lifetime fairgoer and Goshen resident, Gregg Zentez.

“My wife and I priced it out, it’s about 12 tickets a ride, and just to buy 40 tickets here it’s 20 bucks. So, if you want to ride multiple times like we’ve done today, it’s going to cost you several hundred dollars,” said Zentez.

Tickets for gate admission cost $10 on most days, but tickets for rides are separate. These tickets, called Midway Tickets, cost $0.50 each. Some rides require anywhere from 9 to 15 tickets per ride. Elkhart resident and longtime fair goer, Angi Brock, says she got a wristband instead, which gives unlimited rides for a set price.

“One of the rides required 15 tickets… that, I just think is a bit unreasonable,” said Brock.

Other fair attendees, like lifetime attendee Diane Harbell, did not think there was much of a difference this year, saying if the prices are a worry, to opt for the free attractions the fair offers.

“To be honest I’m really not seeing much of a difference, the ticket price to get in is exactly the same and once you get in there are so many free events,” said Harbell.

The fair goers mentioned the best way to avoid those ride costs is to come on a wristband day. There are three remaining this summer happening on July 22, 25 and 27.