Delaware State Fair cost: Here's how much you might spend

If you're the kind of person who can't go out to have a good time without thinking about how much it's all going to cost, here's a look at some of the prices at the Delaware State Fair so you can fret in an informed way. 

In this unscientific estimate for the 2018 fair, we'll look at a hypothetical family of four. Costs do not include daily special offers for seniors and the like. 

Gate prices at the fair are $9 for ages 13 and older, and $4 for ages 6 to 12, so our family, whom we'll call the Hypotheticals, shells out $26 to get in. 

If the Hypotheticals are on an austerity budget, they can then walk around the fair looking at prize pies and livestock and watching other people enjoy the games, rides and food. And free activities include yoga with goats, a circus, a camel show, a petting zoo, and some stage shows, according to a fair official.

When the Hypotheticals get thirsty, they can find a water fountain or bathroom tap to get a drink out of.

This family can enjoy the fair at a total cost of only $26 and somewhat embittered relationships. 

In our second scenario, after an argument, the Hypotheticals agree they're going to get some food after they've taken in all the sights. They won't go crazy or anything, but the parents will spend $20 each and the kids, $15. They've managed to get a day at the fair for only $96 and some whining from the kids about how they're still SO THIRSTY. 

In our third scenario, the parents break down and agree to also purchase ride tickets. After some quick math, they quickly decide to get unlimited ride wristbands for the kids, at $26 a pop. Then they get a few tickets for themselves, for another $20. The day costs a total of about $168, which won't put too much strain on the parents' relationship. They're used to this kind of price tag. 

If the Hypotheticals really want to spend on the fair experience, they might spend more on fat-laden treats and sweets. That will put their food bill around $90 or so. Mr. and Mrs. Hypothetical both get ride wristbands too, because why not. They also decide to go to a ticketed show. Prices vary for those, but an average ticket is about $35 for a stadium seat, so the family shells out $140. Their price for the day is roughly $360, which they'll think about later when it's time to pay the bills, but not now.

In our last scenario, the Hypotheticals cast caution to the wind. They're here to have a good time, price be darned. They easily spend that $90 on food, deny themselves no rides, take in a show, and buy themselves a pile of "I heart the state fair" shirts and other souvenirs or go on a helicopter ride or two. We'll put a conservative estimate of $100 on these extras. At the end of the day, the Hypotheticals are full of good greasy food, have selfies with goats on their phones and are mostly recovered from the rides, for about $460 or so.  

But can you really put a price on memories? 

DELAWARE STATE FAIR

Delaware State Fair: Deals, weather, rides and shows return Thursday

On-site safety, not past transgressions, focus of inspections at the Delaware State Fair

Bake 'em all, let God sort 'em out. Tips from baker who entered all 9 State Fair pie contests