The Stanislaus County Fair kicks off its centennial celebration this Friday, July 15, with some old memories and some new additions. Opening night promotions include: All carnival rides will be just $1 and guests will get a spectacular fireworks show on the opening night of the Fair, July 15th.
“This year’s Fair is a centennial extravaganza,” said Adrenna Alkhas, spokesperson for the Stanislaus County Fair. “We are excited to celebrate the Fair’s long-standing history, as well as introduce some great new additions to our Fair guests’ experience.”
A Centennial Exhibit will be open to the public to walk down memory lane and look at memorabilia from the past 100 years of the Fair. The exhibit will be open Weekdays: 5pm – 11pm and Weekends: Noon – 11pm.
‘Jest in Time’ is a new circus act to the fair featuring Topper Todd and Li Li Zucchini. The duo will entertain kids and adults alike with their jokes and wacky antics. The pair will be entertaining Monday – Friday at 6pm & 8:30pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30, 5:30, and 8:30pm.
A StanCoFair Mobile App is another new addition to this year’s fair. The free app provides an interactive fair experience including maps, daily discounts, pictures, and other information. The app is iPhone and Android compatible.
SCVNGR! is back this year. The text based mobile scavenger hunt game is an exciting opportunity for fair guests to win big. Every day of the fair, players get asked numerous questions regarding something specific to the fair that day. For each question correctly answered, points are received. The player with the most points receives an iPad and 4 Disneyland Park Hopper Tickets, courtesy of KAT County 103.3 as well as a 100 Year Pass for the fair, effective until 2110. To play, text ‘FAIR’ to 728647.
The popular Rainforest Adventure exhibit is also back this year along with the Rainforest Animal Show. The Rainforest exhibit is 8,000 square feet of beautiful and exotic reptiles, birds, and mammals. The Rainforest Show, sponsored by Monte Vista Small Animal Hospital, is 20 minutes of fun and education about the animals, including star of the show the Capuchin monkey.
The Rainforest exhibit is open Weekdays: 5 – 11pm and Weekends: Noon – 11pm.
The Rainforest Animal Show is held Weekdays: 5:45, 6:45, and 8pm and Weekends: 4:15, 5:30, 6:45, & 8pm.
Along with the Rainforest, the fair wouldn’t be complete without 4-H and the Farmyard experience. Full of farm animals and a petting zoo, this is a must-stop for kids.
The 4-H area will be open: Weekdays: 5-10pm and Weekends: Noon to 10pm.
Lowe’s Playhouse provides an opportunity for kids to make and take home projects. The projects and fun are free, and every child that participates will also take home a free Lowe’s work apron.
“Make & Take” Hours for the Playhouse are: Weekdays 5:30 & 7:30 and Weekends 3, 5, and 7pm.
Fair guests 55+ will have a place to call their own during the 10 days of Fair. The climate-controlled 55+ Relaxation Station, sponsored by Covenant Village of Turlock, provides entertainment, seminars, information and a place to relax and converse. The 55+ Relaxation Station is open weekdays from 5pm-9pm and weekends from noon to 9pm.
For a schedule of all the major acts scheduled on the free stage at the Fair, read:
Concert Schedule at the Stanislaus County Fair Free Stage
The Food Maxx Arena will be hosting a variety of events that begin at 6:30pm. The arena line-up includes:
Friday July 15: Tuff Trucks plus Monster Trucks
Saturday July 16: Truck and Tractor Pulls
Sunday July 17: Quad Drags and Extreme Freestyle Motorcycles
Monday July 18: Destruction Derby I Traditional Turmoil
Tuesday July 19: Destruction Derby II Metal Mayhem
Wednesday July 20: New: Valley Stock Tractor Pullers Including 4×4’s
Thursday July 21: CCPRA Rodeo – Free with fair admission
Friday July 22: QuadCross and Pee Wee Bikes
Saturday July 23: Motocross
Sunday July 24: Mud Bog/Races and Lawn Mower Races
Tickets are needed to attend motorsports and can be purchased at: www.StanCoFair.com
The CCPRA Rodeo is free with fair admission
Admission for this year’s Fair is: $12 for adults, $5 for Seniors (65 and up), $5 for kids (7-12), and free for kids 6 and under.
Tickets can be bought at the entry gate or buy online to save some time. Visit: www.StanCoFair.com
A new ticket is available this year in celebration of 100 years. By purchasing the “100 Year Pass,” the buyer has entry to the fair for the next 100 years – until 2110, and may be passed down to a family member. The Pass is priced at $500.
Unlimited Ride Wristbands are $30 per day/night.
Every night at the fair is hosted by a different company, and each day offers various discounts and gifts to fair attendees.
To receive future Fair announcements by text message, text the word “FAIR” to 99299. Fair enthusiasts can also follow how the 2011 Fair is developing at twitter.com/stancofair. In addition, become a fan of the Fair at facebook.com/stancofair. Fair news and event listings are also available at myspace.com/stancofair.
2011 Fair Dates – Friday, July 15, 2011 to Sunday, July 24, 2011
Grounds and buildings open:
Monday-Friday: 5 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: noon
Buildings close:
Nightly: 11 p.m.
Fairgrounds close*:
Monday-Thursday: 12 a.m.
Fridays and Saturdays: 1 a.m.
Sundays: 12:30 a.m.
Carnival Hours*:
Monday-Thursday: 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Friday: 5 p.m.-1 a.m.
Saturday: noon-1 a.m.
Sunday: noon-12:30 a.m.
Administration Office Hours:
July 1, 2011: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
July 5-7, 2011: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
July 8, 2011: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
July 9-10, 2011: 8 a.m-5 p.m.
July 11-24, 2011: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
July 25-29, 2011: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
*Closing hours for the grounds and the carnival subject to change by Fair officials on a nightly basis.
Stanislaus County Fair Daily Schedules (pdf files)