New theme embraces holidays through the year
The Sonoma County Fair returns this week for the 81st year, bringing with it fun, food and flowers, rides and racing and shows of the musical, artistic, culinary and livestock varieties.
The fair opens today, Aug. 3 and runs through Aug. 13. Wine Country Racing, the annual horse race program (which also features mules) take place Aug. 3-6, Aug. 10-13 and Aug. 18-20 (after the conclusion of the fair). Each Sunday of racing will also feature the “Derby Dog Dash” a 50-yard race for canine speedsters, and Aug. 3 will be Hat Day at the races, with prizes for best racing theme, most glamorous, most outrageous and grand prize.
The theme this year of “Holidaze” means that each day special activities will be focused around the celebration of one or two holidays, such as Easter (Aug. 3), New Year’s and Grandparents Day (Aug. 4), Winter and National Beer Day (Aug. 5-6), Earth Day (Aug. 7), Independence Day and Veterans Day (Aug. 8), Talk Like Pirate Day (Aug. 9), St. Patrick’s Day (Aug. 10), Valentine’s Day (Aug. 11), Halloween (Aug. 12-13), Thanksgiving (Aug. 12) and Dia De Los Muertos (Aug. 13).
These holiday themes will also be a part of the famed flower show in the Hall of Flowers, Holidays In Bloom. According to the fair website, “The centerpiece will showcase a 40-foot Christmas tree decorated to the hilt and surrounded in water. Look forward to lingering in the Mexican cemetery of pastel monuments and colorful décor of Dia de los Muertos as you make your way for the livelier exhibits of Mardi Gras and Cinco de Mayo. Enjoy a celebratory beverage in the New Year’s Garden and stroll through the glorious floral interpretations of Valentines Day, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, Fourth of July and Thanksgiving.”
The fair is featuring a new midway carnival vendor this year, with Butler Amusement stepping up with new rides such as the White Water Flume, the Pole Position Spinning Coaster and the Music Express. According to Tony Geraldi of the fair board of directors, one ride, the Century Wheel, will be available for weddings and vow renewals at 3 p.m. on Aug. 11, officiated by State Senator Mike McGuire (call the fair to pre-register).
The Community Concert Series will again fill the summer air with music, starting with the Marshall Tucker Band on Aug. 3, and continuing with the Life in the Fast Lane: Eagles Tribute (Aug. 5), Lauren Alaina (Aug. 7), Foghat (Aug. 8), War (Aug. 9), and Trent Harmon (Aug. 12). This year there are optional dinner and concert packages available for some shows. All performances start at 7:30 p.m. Last but not least, the Community Theater Stage will come alive with cultural entertainment such as the Guerra de Grupos (War of Groups) on Friday, Aug. 4, Graciela Beltran (Aug. 6), Batalla de Bandas (Battle of the Bands) (Aug. 11) and Banda Machos (Aug. 13).
Sonoma County’s rural and farming heritage is always on display at the fair and this year local farms and 4-H kids will put their best foot forward displaying their livestock in shows and demos throughout the fair.
Even if you aren’t a farm family, you and your kids can get up close and personal with various animals and their handlers. Sweet Lil’s Farm, located in Saralee & Richard’s Barn, is a place for kids and adults to learn about life on the farm at the fair. At Sweet Lil’s, you’ll find faux cow milking, baby chicks hatching and enjoy the chance to drive a tractor, venture into a hay maze or visit the little pigs in their straw, wood and brick houses. You can meet some beekeepers and learn how important our pollinators are for farming. There are corn boxes and a chance to visit baby farm animals and their mothers.
For those who want to get even closer to the animals, the Great American Petting Zoo is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The zoo contains a wide variety of animals including llamas, Fallow deer, African Pygmy goats, assorted exotic and domestic goats and sheep, Vietnamese Potbellied pigs, bantam chickens, miniature Sicilian Donkeys, miniature Call ducks and baby animals born all year long.
You can also visit the Milk Barn and watch cows being milked and learn about Sonoma County’s famous dairy industry, in conjunction with the Cattle Barns, which houses both dairy cows and beef cattle during the livestock competitions. Dairy cows will be on display Aug. 3-6 and beef cattle will be on display Aug. 7-13.
Sheep and goats will also be appearing in the show ring and the livestock barns. Sheep will be on display Aug. 3-4 and 7-13, while goats will be on display Aug. 3-5 and 7-10. In the Fur & Feathers barn, fairgoers are invited to see geese, cavies (Guinea Pigs), rabbits, ducks, turkeys, chickens and all kinds of other birds. Poultry on display Aug. 3-13, cavies on display Aug. 5-6, and rabbits on display Aug. 3-6. Finally, don’t forget about the pigs in the Swine Barns on Aug. 4-10.
Local 4-H clubs send participants to the fair, along with Future Farmers of America students. For some young 4-Hers, their hard work culminates in the sale ring, when their animals are auctioned off at the end of the fair. Check the fair website for dates and times of these auctions and for more information.
Still not enough farming action? Then don’t miss Farmer’s Day, Aug. 6. Activities include: Kiddie Fun On The Farm, Stick Horse Drill, Line Sorting Challenge, Wild Cow and Wild Goat Milking, Hide Race, Pig Scramble, Stick Horse Competition, Sheep Dog Trials and Demo, and crowd favorite, Mutton Busting.
The final new addition to this year’s festivities is NorCal Brew Fest. Attendees will enjoy unlimited tastes of over 50 different beers and ciders.
The Sonoma County Fair runs from Aug. 3 to Aug. 13 and the Sonoma County Fair Grounds. Gates are open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more information, or to purchase tickets (which are also available at the gate) check out sonomacountyfair.com.
