Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Some things you may want to do while at the Illinois State Fair may be out of your price range — some of the grandstand shows, for instance.

But, State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark says you should still be able to take the family and still make a day of it when it starts this Thursday, without much money at all.

“Every day of the fair, children 12 and under are free,” said Clark. “Seniors can enjoy the fair for just $3. We continue to offer popular discount opportunities, including our $2 admission day on Tuesday.”

Clark says a flash sale is going on through Wednesday, where you can purchase admission tickets for $5 a piece that can be used any day of the fair.

That’s in addition to some discounted food items, and a limited-time sale of discounted tickets to see Ella Langley in the grandstand. In addition, the fair says there will be 165 hours of free forms of entertainment, starting when the fair starts Thursday.

“We want to make the Illinois State Fair a place that anyone can afford to visit and come to,” said Jerry Costello, Director, Illinois Department of Agriculture. “It’s an ag-centric fair. We understand that the agricultural economy has been tough the last couple of years. We are trying to do everything we can to make sure this is an affordable fair for the people of the State of Illinois — and, honestly, around the country.”

Costello says the fair is just acting on orders from Governor JB Pritzker to make and keep the fair affordable.