Yay, it’s almost time for the OC Fair, which runs through Aug. 17. As many of you have discovered, the fair can be surprisingly expensive, what with the admission, parking, funnel cakes, carnival rides and fried Twinkies.

So here are our best tips to save money while you’re there.

Set a budget: Decide in advance how much you’re willing to spend, and then take a few minutes to plan out your strategy for sticking to it. Make a list of the times and locations of free fun events, go early to take advantage of deals, and be strategic about what you’re going to spend. Give everyone cash and warn them that when it’s gone, it’s gone.

Bring your own food and drink: This is a big one. If you’re a typical fairgoer, you’re going to spend much more on libations and food than on your entrance tickets, but it’s not necessary. You’re allowed to bring in soft-sided coolers and factory-sealed water bottles. I like to bring my meal in a plastic grocery bag with a small bag of ice or a frozen water bottle to keep it cool. That way, I can just discard the whole thing when I’m done and don’t have to carry it around. (No one’s saying you can’t have a fried Twinkie. But it doesn’t have to be your main meal, does it?) No cans, glass, outside alcohol or hard-sided coolers allowed.

Refill your water bottles: No need to buy expensive beverages to beat the heat. Bring water bottles that can be refilled at six chilled water stations around the grounds for free.

Attend on a weekday: You’ll save $2, plus it will be less crowded. That’s a win-win, my friends. Prices are $13 Wednesdays-Thursdays, $15 Fridays-Sundays for adults. Older adults and kids ages 6-12 are $9 every day. Children 5 and younger are free. Buy in advance — don’t wait until they’re sold out. Sorry, no other deals or discounts this year. I know, it’s sad. ocfair.com/tickets

Get an Every Day Passport: This might save you money, depending on how many times you want to go. This $60 ticket gives you unlimited admission, even on days the fair is sold out. Sorry, no discounts for kids or older adults. ocfair.com/tickets

Buy a show ticket: If you buy a ticket to a Pacific Amphitheatre or Hangar concert or seats to an Action Sports Arena event, your same-day fair admission is included. Now, before you roll your eyes, think about this: There are concerts that look fun and only cost $20. That means for $5 more than admission alone, you get a show and the entire fair. (If your show will take place after the fair closes, you can still use your ticket to get in on a Wednesday or Thursday during the fair.) Here’s the schedule: ocfair.com/oc-fair/entertainment/

Take advantage of the afternoon $5 food deals: This year, you can get Taste of the Fair deals every day until 4 p.m. This deal means you can buy a miniature portion of fair food for $5. Your arteries will thank you. And, yes, the fried Twinkie is one of them. There’s even a 4-ounce glass of wine on the list. The master list online has a map showing all the locations. ocfair.com/oc-fair/things-to-do/food/

Get a wristband for carnival rides: Do you like thrill rides? Another advantage of going midweek is you can ride all day, if you buy a carnival wristband. It includes unlimited rides and two arcade games, but it’s good only Wednesdays and Thursdays. The pass is $54. You can ride from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., but you must redeem it by 5 p.m. daily. (Closed-toe shoes are required for some rides.)

Read & Ride: Speaking of rides, kids ages 5-11 who read three books and sign up for the Read & Ride program can get a QR code valid for two free rides in the Kidland area only. Only one per child. Go to form.jotform.com/251238689032157

Ride the special bus: This Orange County Transportation Authority bus is available only twice a week — 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. (i.e., after midnight) Saturdays and 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Sundays, depending on location. Kids 18 or younger ride free. Fare is $2 one way or $4 round trip from five locations directly to the fair. You’ll likely save on parking, which at the fair is $15 for passenger cars —plus the bus drops you off right next to the Yellow Gate. No long marches in the heat (at least until you get inside). Pickup locations are at the Fullerton Transportation Center, Anaheim ARTIC, Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center, Goldenwest Transportation Center (Huntington Beach) and Laguna Hills Transit Center.

Map out your free entertainment options in advance: You don’t want to miss the All-Alaskan Racing Pigs, do you? There are five, count ’em, five stages with free entertainment, so look and see what interests you before you go. Local music groups, dance troupes, culinary demonstrations and fun shows with a magician and a hypnotist. You can also see shows at the Action Sports Arena if you’re willing to stand (you have to pay for seats, except for Aug. 13-17). Shows at the Hangar are free until 5 p.m. — after that you have to stand, unless you want to buy a seat.

Go dancing: A new OC Fair After Dark dancing venue is open weekends at the Plaza Pacifica Stage. There’s swing dancing to live music 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Fridays, DJ West Coast Dave from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturdays, and Latin dancing to live music from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sundays.

See the animals: Honestly, this is my favorite thing to do, and it doesn’t cost anything. I always head to the livestock barn to see the many types of animals. And visit the fair’s resident animals at Centennial Farm including pigs, goats, cattle, chickens, rabbits, peacocks and sheep. Look for the llama show as well. (Sadly, no poultry this year due to avian flu.) Find the schedules for animal exhibits at ocfair.com/oc-fair/things-to-do/animals

View the local exhibits: Who will win? You can see the competitors for the produce and floral prizes at Centennial Farm. Or visit the Home Arts & Collections gallery or the OC Promenade/Culinary to see other competitions, including woodworking, quilting, baking, table setting, fine arts and more.

Do kid stuff: The Orange County Sand and Sea exhibit has an ocean animal touch tank. (Don’t be scared. They don’t bite.) Milking demonstrations take place at Millennium Barn at 2:15 and 4:15 p.m. A petting zoo has goats, sheep, pigs and more daily near the Yellow Gate (and check out the baby animals!). And, of course, you have to see the Alaskan racing pigs, which perform three or four times daily. pigrace.com