As always, the Sonoma County Fair offers something for everyone.
The fair’s renowned flower show will echo that theme with “Gardens of Sonoma County Wine Country,” with each of the 12 gardens representing one of the county’s famed wine grape appellations. The flower show preview will be Sunday evening, July 25, with the proceeds from ticket sales going to scholarships for college students majoring in fields related to agriculture. New this year are the flower show VIP tours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m., offering an opportunity to see the show without a crowd. Advance reservations are required for the tours, which will be led by master gardeners.
There’s something for just about everyone during the fair—from horse racing to the flower show, the livestock auctions to the headline concerts, including one of country music’s hottest singer/songwriters, Miranda Lambert, with Keith Anderson, rock icons Blue Oyster Cult and Foghat together in one huge show, as well as Banda Cuisillos coming up from Jalisco to play their romantic ballads.
Look forward to the professional cowboys showing us how it’s done at the PRCA rodeo on the first weekend and the Sonoma County “Crunch-A-Rama” destruction derby on the second weekend. There will be free dance nights in Redwood Theater with all your favorite club and tribute bands, from Wonder Bread 5 to AC/DShe; free hypnotist shows August 3, 4 and 5; and 26 different bands playing every genre of music on the Park Stage.
It wouldn’t be a “Grape Escape” without some grape-related games and contests for all ages, and the fair has lots of them, including the Great Grape Drop, a collective attempt to set a world record for catching the most grapes. The fair is famous for its award-winning games, and this year it’s doing games in a big way—with two life-sized board games where people become the game pieces. The gaming area, dubbed “The Playground,” will feature board game challenges and different activities every day. And make sure you check out the amazing “Ag-Tivities” at Sweet Lil’s Farmery and Uncle Sam’s Farm, both of which showcase Sonoma County’s world-famous agriculture.
If you like the idea of supporting local agriculture—and enjoy locally raised meat—you’ll want to check out the fair’s junior livestock auctions (JLA), which are the culmination of a year’s work for aspiring young ranchers and farmers who select, raise and groom livestock to be judged, graded and sold at the Fair. Their projects include steers, lambs, hogs, poultry and rabbits. Only top-quality animals are sold at the auction, and all are locally raised. Your purchase encourages future farmers and helps preserve Sonoma County agriculture. You’re rewarded, too, with top-quality, additive-free meat that you can enjoy or donate to charity. Part or all of your purchase may be tax-deductible. You can visit the website for details. For the past few years, the junior livestock auction has raised more than $1 million that goes back to its young ranchers and farmers who participate.
The fair is also known for its great array of free family shows, and one you won’t want to miss is the Farmer’s Day Program on July 31. The whole family will love this lineup of goofy events with a down-on-the-farm flavor. Animal lovers will enjoy the Splash Dogs, Acro-Cats and the Pirate’s Parrots show, plus the Derby Dog Dash on August 8 on the horse racing track. Complete details on all these shows are published in the Fair Guide, which is mailed to homes throughout Sonoma County during early July, as well as at SonomaCountyFair.com.
A favorite with kids of all ages is the classic American carnival, which offers both a huge selection of high-end rides with plenty of excitement for thrill seekers and a separate kiddie carnival area for the little ones. The rides include The Wave Swinger, originally from Germany, which is one of only three of its kind on the West Coast. Back by popular demand this year is The Cliff Hanger. If you’ve always wanted to know what it would feel like to fly like Superman, you’ll find out when the Cliff Hanger takes you soaring 30 feet high. There are more than 60 rides coming to the fair this year, and everyone is encouraged to take advantage of discounts and specials detailed on the fair website.
The fair will have three weeks of horse racing this year (not Mondays or Tuesdays). Come on out and play the afternoon away with the friendly Wine Country crowd, superior horses, the sport’s best jockeys, our beautiful turf track—and award-winning, local wines. Post time is at 12:45 p.m. Get tips for the day’s races and learn more about racing at the free racing seminars at 11:15 a.m. in Shade Park. You can win without even placing a bet—check out the Win, Place & Show drawings for cash at the track.
In 1936, the four founders of the fair were Ernest L. Finley, Joseph Grace, V.G. Garrett and Emil Kraft, who saw the need to promote local agriculture and young farmers and ranchers. In 2011, the Sonoma County Fair will celebrate its 75th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary—and plans are already underway for this milestone celebration of where it’s been and where it’s headed in the next 75 years.
Plans include taking a step into years past, with an exhibit hall devoted to the history of the fair with photos, video reminisces and memorabilia, video taping those who remember earlier days, including race fans and participants, agricultural exhibitors, vendors and fair goers. Cities throughout Sonoma County will be invited to host a mini fair in their communities in the month before the 2011 Fair begins, and carry through to have their city’s Day at the Fair, which would be hosted by each community.
Who knows—there may even be a cattle drive through town or even an old-fashioned wing rider on an airplane over the racetrack!
This promises to be a great celebration of the Sonoma County Fair and all those whose lives it has touched.
Ross Liscum is currently vice president of the Board of Directors of the Sonoma County Fair, and broker/co-owner at Prudential California Realty in Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park. You can reach him at ross@pcrsonoma.com.
