Dave Alley
SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County Fair begins its five-day run in Santa Maria beginning Wednesday afternoon.
The annual event will take place at the Santa Maria Fairpark from Wednesday, July 9 through Sunday, July 13.
Gates opened at 3 p.m. on Wednesday and marked the opening of a yearly tradition that dates back more than 130 years.
Fairgoers who attend this year will notice a handful of changes once they walk through the gates, including the return of the adult carnival section at the front of the facility.
In addition, the immediate walkway down the center of the Fairpark has been reorganized so that vendors are only on each side of the path, unlike in previous years when vendors were also located in the middle area.
Fairpark Board Director Kevin Merrill said the change was to create a cleaner look to the facility’s main thoroughfare, with the goal of enhancing the overall visual appeal of the Fairpark.
“I think that we have tried to really showcase the beauty of what’s here at the fair,” said Merrill. “We have a beautiful tree lined alleyway here with our vendors on either side. We’ve opened that up a little bit to make it a little more user friendly and so that people can come in and get the stuff they need.”
The “La Placita,” section that was created last year has also shifted locations.
The Hispanic-themed entertainment area was located last year next in the back of the Fairpark, where the old grandstand used to be.
This year, the area has been moved to the middle of the Fairpark, right next to the Center Stage area.
“We’re excited about La Placita and the entertainment that goes along with that,” said Merrill. “We have great food here and we are of showcasing our Hispanic heritage here in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara County. We got some great acts on the Center Stage that are going to come and be part of that throughout the day and those are free. I think people are really going to be enjoying that.”
Several other new additions and changes are also in store for fairgoers as they experience what is a popular annual tradition for thousands of people on the Central Coast.
Among the handful of new attractions is the K9 Kings Flying Dogs Show, which is located in the back of the Fairpark next to the livestock section and younger carnival area.
“You’re going to see a really fun interactive show that incorporates eight different rescue dogs,” said J.D. Platt, K9 Kings Flying Dog Show owner/performer. “We do a lot of different acrobatic tricks. We get crowd participation, fun music, and we’ve got the largest meet and greet pet area afterwards. It’s a great time.”
Inside the Convention Center, fairgoers will get to experience Brad’s World Reptiles, which is making its first trip to Santa Maria.
“In our event you actually get to come out and see many different species of reptiles from all over the world, and you get to interact with some of our species we have here with us at the fair,” said Jerry Miller, Brad’s World Reptiles general manager. “We have an American alligator. We have macaws and snakes and tortoises you get to hold and interact with them as well. It’s very important, especially for the kids. It’s a great learning experience and educational. You get a chance to get up close and personal with some of their reptiles and animals.”
The Santa Barbara County Fair runs from July 9-13.
Gates open at 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and at noon on Friday through Sunday.
Closing time each night is at 10 p.m.
For more information about the Santa Barbara County Fair, click here for the official website.
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