It’s nearly time for racing pigs, dog tricks, new carnival rides, more than 8,400 exhibits, electronic dance music by Marshmello and cream cheese on a stick.
The Ventura County Fair opens its 12-day run at the Ventura seaside fairgrounds on July 29. Days before its debut, carnival operators were building rides, volunteers were judging leather goods and gardeners were doing their thing in the floriculture area.
“We are full speed ahead,” site CEO Heidi Ortiz said in a July 21 fairgrounds board meeting.
Changes this year start with a clear-bag policy that will mean many bags and backpacks won’t be allowed at the fair. Attractions include a grandstand lineup with Bush, Iration and Ashanti, a new carnival that features favorite stomach-churning rides like the Zipper and a new water ride called Big Splash.
Also on tap are three days of rodeo, a beer fest that will be held the final day of the fair and contests ranging from best chocolate dessert to rooster crowing. Here’s what else you need to know about this year’s fair.
When does the Ventura County Fair open?
The fair runs from July 29 to Aug. 9. Hours are noon to 11 p.m. every day except for Aug. 4 when gates open at 11 a.m.
Where is the fair?
The fairgrounds are at 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. Fair officials are encouraging fairgoers to enter through the main gates that face the parking lot bordered by Figueroa Street. A second gate on Garden Street will also be open.
How much are tickets?
Discounted tickets can be bought through July 28. They are $18.95 for adults including fees, $13.45 for people 65 and older and $13.45 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and younger are free.
When the fair starts, tickets at the gate or online are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and kids age 6 to 12. People are encouraged to buy tickets online or at the fair from kiosks in the main parking lot.
Discounts are available on the following value days:
Will carnival wristbands be sold?
In a change this year, carnival wristbands will be available each day of the fair, allowing unlimited rides on that day. Wristbands can be bought before the fair online for $45 or with a Fast Pass for $65. During the fair, daily wristbands are $60 and $80 with a Fast Pass.
On Aug. 3, children 17 and younger can purchase a daily wristband for $25 at the fairgrounds.
Where can I park for the Ventura County Fair?
Parking at the fairgrounds costs $20, same as last year. The lot fills up quickly. People can also park offsite and use a free shuttle service from various locations. Shuttles begin one hour prior to the fair’s opening and run until 11:30 p.m.
Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner is providing 20% discounts on train fares to and from the fairgrounds starting July 16. Use code V510 when booking. The fair is also offering a free bike valet to cyclists who pedal to the fair
Who are the musical acts?
The grandstand lineup includes:
Dia de la Familia starts in the afternoon. The other grandstand shows begin at 7:30 p.m. with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. for a pre-party. All of the acts are free with admission to the fair. People can also purchase VIP tickets that will bring them seats closer to the stage and other amenities.
What about clear bags?
Fair board directors for the first time adopted a clear-bag policy, citing security reasons. It means many nontransparent purses, backpacks and other bags won’t be allowed.
The clear bags that will be allowed will not be larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. Clear purses and backpacks will also be allowed in the same sizes. One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags will be allowed.
Reusable water bottles will be allowed at entry gates but must be empty.
Small nontransparent clutch bags — no larger than 5 inches by 8 inches — will be allowed as will bags used to carry medical items and diaper bags though a child will need to be present.
Fairgrounds officials want people to leave nontransparent bags in their cars. But there will be a free check-in area where people can leave their bags. The fair will also have a limited amount of free clear bags available at the fairgrounds.
The policy has triggered anxiety from some fairgoers but fairgrounds spokesperson Megan Hook said the rules have become commonplace for many venues.
“While it’s new, it’s not new for people who attend events,” she said.
What is new?
Fairgrounds officials are using a new carnival vendor this year, Helm & Sons Amusements. It means there will be new rides and more rides, Hook said. Some of the attractions, including the Ferris wheel, will also be in new locations.
Fair board members had approved an emergency project to replace a deteriorated storm drainage pipe system in the carnival area before the fair’s opening. That work has been postponed until after the fair, Ortiz said. Instead, steel plates are being used to stabilize parts of the pipeline as an alternative suggested by a civil engineer and OK’d by the California Construction Authority.
Other new attractions include a future of agriculture exhibit and a daily dog show where pets adopted from shelters will perform stunts and tricks.
What can I eat?
New and exotic foods include tiramisu cinnamon rolls, sushi served on a push pop, jalapeno cheddar sausages dipped in churro batter, udon noodles, Sriracha sliced pickles and foods on a stick that range from cream cheese to candied tanghulu fruit.
If that makes your stomach grumble, don’t worry. The old standbys will be there, too.
What else is happening?
The Flying U Rodeo will hold five shows from Aug. 7 to Aug. 9. Tickets are needed and cost $11.45 for adults, including fees and $9.29 for children ages 3 to 12.
Attractions that debuted last year and will be back include a Beer Fest on Aug. 9 that will feature some 20 local breweries and wineries. The Golden Pony speakeasy that offers drinks and music near the floriculture area is also back in business.
The junior livestock auction will be held beginning at 9 a.m. on Aug. 7. Youth exhibitors raise money for their education by selling the pigs, goats and steers they’ve raised. Uncle Leo’s Barn will be back at the fair for its 68th year with baby pigs, tractor pulls and other attractions.
At a fair board meeting on July 21, director Dan Long compared the fair’s opening day to a holiday.
“It’s finally Christmas morning on Wednesday,” he said.
For more information on the fair, go to venturacountyfair.org.
Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at tom.kisken@vcstar.com.
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This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Ventura County Fair opens July 29. What it costs, where to park, more
Reporting by Tom Kisken, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
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By Tom Kisken, Ventura County Star | USA TODAY Network
