Tom KiskenVentura County Star
It's that time again. 1990's rapper Vanilla Ice, nightly drone shows, cows, bunnies, racing babies and bacon-covered chocolate will reign for 12 days at the Ventura County Fair starting Wednesday.
This year's event celebrates the fair’s 150th anniversary. Attractions include exhibit halls packed with everything from home-made berry pies to fossils that date back millions of years, carnival rides designed to twist your insides and grandstand acts ranging from comedian Fluffy to Grammy-winner Ludacris.
Here’s what is on tap and what you need to know to attend.
What are the hours?
The fair runs Wednesday through Aug. 11. The beachside grounds open at noon and close at midnight daily except for Aug. 6 when the grounds open at 11 a.m. Exhibit buildings are open until 10 p.m. and livestock barns close at 8 p.m.
Where is the fair?
The fairgrounds are at 10 W. Harbor Blvd. Ventura. Fair officials are asking all fairgoers to enter through the main gates that face the parking lot bordered by Figueroa Steet.
How much are tickets?
Tickets at the gate or online are $20 for adults, $15 for people 65 and older, $15 for youths age 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and younger. Prices have increased $5 from last year’s fair. People are encouraged to buy tickets online or at the fair from kiosks in the main parking lot.
Are there discounts to enter?
Discounted prices are offered on special promotion days. On Wednesday’s opening day, admission is $3 before 3 p.m. Children age 12 and younger are free with paid adult admission on Friday’s Youth Day.
As part of 805 Day on Aug. 5, admission is $5 before 5 p.m. On Aug. 6, seniors and disabled people get in free. For people with disabilities, a caretaker will be admitted without charge.
On Aug. 7, members of the Ventura County Credit Union receive $4 off admission until 6 p.m. As part of Military Appreciation Day on Aug. 8, members of the military will get in free but will need a military ID. First responders will also get in for free on Aug. 8.
People who donate five cans of food on Aug. 9 and buy an admission ticket can get a second person admitted for free.
Will carnival wristbands be offered?
Wristbands can be used on three days: Thursday, Aug. 6, and Aug. 7. The price of wristbands has risen from $40 a year ago to $45. The bands bring unlimited rides until 7 p.m. on the day they are redeemed. They can be bought at the fair or online.
Where can I park?
Parking at the fairgrounds costs $20, same as last year. The lot fills up quickly. People can also park offsite and use free shuttle service from the following locations.
- DeAnza Middle School, 2060 Cameron St., Ventura
- Ventura County Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura
- Pacific View Mall, near the Target store, 4200 E. Main St., Ventura
- Ventura Community Park, Telephone Road and Ramelli Avenue
- Ventura High School, 2 North Catalina St.
- San Buenaventura State Beach, 901 San Pedro St.($10 parking fee charged)
- Oxnard Police Activities League, 350 S. K St., Oxnard
- Regal Edwards Cinema, 680 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo
The fair is also offering a free bike valet near the main gate to cyclists who pedal to the fair.
Who is performing?
The fair’s grandstand schedule includes:
- 7 p.m. Wednesday — I Love the 90s Tour (with Vanilla Ice, Tone Loc, Sugarhill Gang, C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams)
- 7 p.m. Thursday — Brantley Gilbert
- 7 p.m. Friday — Sublime with Rome
- 7 p.m. Saturday — Dustin Lynch
- 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4 — Los Tucanes de Tijuana and Tapy Quintero as part of Dia de la Familia
- 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5 — Fluffy
- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 — Ludacris
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7 — Gary Allan
Grandstand entry is free with fair admission. Fair leaders have also introduced a new VIP ticket program for grandstand shows with tickets starting at $39. A limited supply of tickets remain. Buyers get seats closer to the stage, turf instead of dirt surfaces, a separate selection of food for purchase and a full bar.
What about the rodeo?
Tickets for the annual rodeo cost $8 to $10. Five shows are scheduled over three days.
- 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9
- 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10
- 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10
- 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11
- 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11
What's new?
The fair’s once daily fireworks display was turned into a weekend event in 2018 and halted altogether three years ago. This year, the sky will light up again each night at 9 p.m. with a drone show. Fair officials say the show will be visible across the fairgrounds, though the carnival midway may offer the best vantage points.
A revamped garden area outside the floriculture building will feature craft beer and wines from Ventura County. The site will also feature a Ferris wheel and a big screen where fairgoers can watch grandstand concerts. Nearby, adjacent to the grandstand, the Tito’s Pre-Party site will open up at 5 p.m. to give people a place to have a drink and listen to live music while waiting for that day’s main concert.
Other new attractions include a new area, The Patio, that includes commercial booths, corn hole games, homemade beignets and a two-story coffee shop.
After being absent for several years, the junior fair board is back. Made up of high school students across the county, the board will put on events that include karaoke, a pie-eating contest and baby races where infants crawl to their parents.
Bingo is making a comeback, too. Another revived event is the Lions Club Bingo tent that will be outside of the Home Arts Building.
Is there anything to eat?
The menu includes bacon-wrapped hot dogs, beignets, deep-fried Oreos, vegan funnel cake, cinnamon rolls, Mexican street corn, tacos, sprial fries, Mackinac fudge and fresh donuts.
Oh and there’s also giant pickles, gelato, pork-pulled sandwiches, smoothies, tri-tip, cake pops and turkey legs.
What about old faves?
Baby pigs and other attractions at Uncle Leo’s Barn will be back as will the Alaskan racing pigs, the junior livestock auction on Aug. 9, and hypnosis shows featuring volunteers from the audience.
How can I find out more?
Go towww.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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