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Falcon Heights Homeowners Cash In On Fairgoers

FALCON HEIGHTS (WCCO) -- The Minnesota State Fair is up and running and so are residential lots in nearby neighborhoods.

"People seem to like it and it's convenient," said Jen Peper.

Peper's parents live in a home on Snelling Avenue across from the fair. She spends much of her day helping her brother shuffle cars around the lawn.

"Usually, the line to go into the parking gate is backed up as far as Highway 36," said Peper. "You can avoid all that and park here."

NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Edgar Linares Reports

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However, the convenience will cost you. To park on Peper's parents lawn will run you $20. To park at the fair, its only $12 and they offer discount coupons as low as $9.

Peter Kurr lives four hours away from the Twin Cities, he traveled from Ghent, Minn. He thinks convenience is more important than price, so he paid $20 for his spot.

"We were driving around for 40 minutes trying to find a place to park, but they're all full," said Kurr.

Driving through the neighborhood, you'll find dozens of places to park. Some in the back allies of homes and others smack-dab in the middle of their front lawn.

Also, if paying $20 dollars is a bit too much, you might want to try parking at Leann Clemmons' home. She's charging $10 and is about four blocks down from Snelling Ave. Further down, homeowners are charging $5.

"I can park six cars in my home," said Clemmons. "I'm not really close enough to charge $20 and I don't get enough traffic to get $15. So it's more like $10."

How much these homeowners make during the 12 day event is a sensitive subject. Some made enough to repave their driveway and others enough for a new bird bath for their garden. Most wouldn't disclose, but all said they pay taxes on the money they make.

"You have to deal with living on Snelling Avenue and deal with the fair. This kind of makes up for it," said Peper.

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