Car-free getaway | Take the bus or train to the Puyallup Fair

Is $4 gasoline blowing a hole in your budget? Then ditch that gas burner and go green. Here's a summer getaway that gets you there with no time behind the wheel.

The objective: A car-free day at the Puyallup Fair (Sept. 9-25).

The place: Puyallup Fairgrounds, home to year-around events and the annual fair, a local favorite since 1900 and one of the 10 largest fairs in the United States.

What makes it special: Fun for all ages with kiddyland and thrill rides, a rodeo, concerts, vendors, and exhibit halls spotlighting home arts, agriculture, floral arrangements, hobbies and more. Barns show off a huge variety of chickens, rabbits, pigs, cows, horses and other farm animals, and there's special fun such as Mutton Bustin' for kids 3 to 6 to ride a bucking sheep. Special events include an opening-day rodeo parade, daily theme events and unlimited-ride pass days (www.thefair.com).

What makes it tasty: What else? Scones, onion burgers, corn dogs, funnel cakes, cotton candy, elephant ears, snow cones, ice cream and more. See a food map on the fair's website.

Getting there with no car (and no parking fee): Sound Transit route 577/578 from downtown Seattle arrives at the fairgrounds with one transfer for $1.50-$5 one way, schedule and fares subject to change. For more information: Pierce Transit, www.piercetransit.org, or Sound Transit, www.soundtransit.org.

— Madeline McKenzie