Family summer traditions, reuniting with old friends and outright renewable fun at the county’s largest community event begins Friday.
The Stanislaus County Fair opens on Friday, July 31 for a 10-day run. The 72-acre fairgrounds is located at 900 N. Broadway in Turlock. Now in its 98th year, Fair officials have been working year round to plan for the annual family extravaganza.
“This year’s fair highlights the environment and the many ‘green’ things we can do to help preserve it,” said Pennie Rorex, spokesperson for the Stanislaus County Fair. “With this year’s ‘Renewable Fun’ theme, we’ve packed the grounds with eco-excitement around every corner. There are discount days to suit the entire family, free celebrity concerts every night and with discount tickets available until July 30 at 7 p.m. guests can get even more value for their admission.”
“We have also simplified traveling to the fairgrounds,” said Rorex. “Our new, free Park ‘N Ride program offers complimentary parking and shuttle service for our fair guests. Those using the free shuttle system will receive front-door service as they will be conveniently dropped off just footsteps away from our historical Arch Gate on Broadway. In addition, shuttle riders will help reduce carbon emissions and spend less time maneuvering through traffic surrounding the fairgrounds.”
Fair patrons can park for free at California State University Stanislaus (parking lots located on Crowell, off Monte Vista) or at Pitman High School. The free service will run nightly during the 10 days of the fair, from 4:30 until 11 p.m. with shuttles departing to and from the fairgrounds every 15 minutes. Parking at the fairgrounds is still available for a fee of $4 per vehicle.
This year’s focus on the environment will feature a “Clean & Green Expo” featuring companies like Covanta Energy, Modesto Irrigation District, Rapid Refill and Turlock Irrigation District, who are dedicated to making the earth a cleaner and greener place to live. Also, Sunday, Aug. 9 has been designated as Recycle Sunday, sponsored by Cencal Beverage. On this day, guests are encouraged to bring six or more empty aluminum cans and will receive $2 off one adult admission.
Fair guests large and small will delight in the Fair’s new Rainforest Adventure exhibit, an 8,000 square foot patch of rainforest. The new exhibit features critters that inhabit this rainforest, like toucans, anacondas, snapping turtles and geckos. This exciting and educational adventure is sponsored by Sky Trek Aviation. The exhibit will also feature 20-minute Rainforest Animal Shows, featuring a Capuchin monkey and all of his rainforest bird and reptile friends. The Rainforest Animal Shows are sponsored by Monte Vista Small Animal Hospital.
With five stages filled with entertainment each night of its 10-day run, the Fair has something to offer every member of the family.
The Stanislaus County Fair’s 2009 lineup on the Budweiser Variety Free Stage includes:
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Grand Funk Railroad – Fri, July 31, 2009
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Mark Chesnutt and Trailer Choir – Sat, Aug. 1, 2009
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The FOUR TOPS – Sun, Aug. 2, 2009
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newsboys – Mon, Aug. 3, 2009
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Rick Springfield – Tue, Aug. 4, 2009
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Gretchen Wilson – Wed, Aug. 5, 2009
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Nat & Alex Wolff – Thu, Aug. 6, 2009
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Josh Turner – Fri, Aug. 7, 2009
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Huey Lewis and The News – Sat, Aug. 8, 2009
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Pablo Montero and Noelia – Sun, Aug. 9, 2009
Make your way down to the 4-H Farmyard Experience, sponsored by the Turlock Chamber of Commerce. At the entry there is a windmill propelling a water wheel that then propels water into a tank that illustrates three types of energy. You can learn new words like “hydroponics” and see it in action. Enter a cave full of worms and learn how they help the environment, too. Stroll in the cow garden to learn about recyclable materials a cow eats. Of course, there will be plenty of fun animals like a dairy cow and calf, llama and mamma, Brahma cow and baby calf, baby rabbits, goats, sheep and even piglets.
The 2009 Stanislaus County Fair opens Friday, July 31 for a 10-day run. Discounted Fair admission tickets, unlimited ride wristbands and FoodMaxx Arena motorsports tickets are now on sale. Visit the Fair’s website for detailed ticket sale information at www.stancofair.com.
The Stanislaus County Fair is now in its 98th year celebrating Stanislaus County’s rich agricultural heritage. The theme of this year’s Fair, “Renewable Fun,” encourages both adults and children to appreciate the blending of tradition with innovation in order to preserve our environment while enjoying its abundance.
