Starving Artist Shenanigans: State Fair Edition

Whether you’re actually a starving artist or just a fauxhemian who pretends to be one (for funsies, right?), checking out videos for free from the library can soon become tiring. And depressing. In the quest of hipster amusement at a price even a disowned trustafarian can afford, let us present to you a regular series looking for—and finding--cheap (and yet cool) thrills.

Although you might balk at the “cool” factor, the Arizona State Fair is open through November 7th. You should go on the days when they have a concert. Snoop Dogg, anyone? In an effort to lure people back, they’ve created all sorts of deals of which you should take advantage. In the case of going to watch the B-52s, the entrance before six p.m. was BOGO, so the show was only five bucks.

While some of you might complain about the low-brow nature of the fair, this is precisely the reason you should go. The people-watching alone is worth it (although don’t look too long, or you risk getting shanked.). Enjoy the aroma of cow poop mingling with deep-fried Snickers bars. Or, put some lavender salve in your nostrils and avoid the olfactory pain.

Don’t get sucked into buying food that you’ll regret eating in a few hours; don’t spend $6.50 on a 12-ounce glass of Budweiser (when you could buy a six pack of much-better beer for that price and drink it before you go to the fair); and don’t spend $30 trying to win some super-sized stuffed banana that will be relegated to the closet as soon as you get home. Do check out the art in the Coliseum and some of the side performances. Where else can you see so many well-intentioned paintings of Michael Jackson, or watch the “Procrastinators” turn a bunch of garbage into a Stomp-worthy percussive adventure?