Santa Clara County Fair celebrates ‘80 Years of Innovation’

The Santa Clara County Fair was set to cut the ribbon on its 80th anniversary season July 25 with a ceremony to honor military veterans.

The celebration continues Saturday, July 27, with a parade at 6 p.m. featuring floats, bands, dance teams, unique vehicles and equestrians.

The theme of this year’s fair, which runs July 25-28 and Aug. 1-4, is “From the Fields to the Future, Celebrating 80 Years of Innovation.”

There will be free entertainment on four stages throughout the fair, including music in multiple genres, magic acts, pig races and, for the first time, BMX stunt shows, monster truck rides, pro wrestling and performances by Circus Alegria.

Thrill seekers will enjoy the many carnival rides such as the Spider, Wipeout and the Zipper, but there are plenty of gentler rides like the carousel, Vista Wheel, Super Slide, Berry Go Round and the Tune Town Train for those with more sensitive stomachs.

The fair features youth robotic demos and hands-on exhibits from The Tech Interactive, plus traditional displays of local flora and fauna and home art exhibits. Children can meet Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Peppa the Pig and characters from CoComelon.

4-H members and Future Farmers of America participants will have much to do, with a packed schedule of shows and contests including goat milking as well as large and small animal skillathons. Visitors can get up close with the animals, including sheep, goats, pigs, horses and mini donkeys.

There will be a junior livestock auction the morning of Aug. 3, followed by a firefighters’ chili cook-off. There will be a rabbit and cavy show Aug. 6-7.

The fair’s food options include over 40 vendors offering traditional favorites such as kettle corn, funnel cakes, caramel apples, pepper steak, burgers and corn dogs, but also treats like ice-cream filled churros, strawberry shortcake and Orange Julius. Other food vendors will be serving up international fare such as pupusas, samosas, bulgogi, gyros, curries, teriyaki bowls and ceviche. There will also be a wine and beer garden and a tequila saloon.

Seniors over 62 will be admitted free all day on Thursday Aug. 1, while first responders and people with special needs will have free entry on Saturday, Aug. 3.

Most fair activities are free once inside except for the carnival, monster truck rides, the petting zoo and pony rides.

Fair hours are Thursdays, 3-10 p.m.; Fridays, 3-11 p.m.; Saturdays, 1-11 p.m.; and Sundays, 1-10 p.m. at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road, San Jose. Tickets are $17.50 for adults and $11.10 for children ages 6-12 and seniors over 62. Kids 5 and under are free, as are active military personnel and veterans.

For more information, visit thefair.org.