Sonoma-Marin fair celebrates the classics

The five-day event that runs through Sunday brings music, food, rides, animals and fun to Petaluma.|

The rides have been assembled, the cotton candy has been whipped into a sugary puff, and some truly unattractive dogs have been made to look their ugliest.

The 76th annual Sonoma-Marin Fair is in Petaluma, this year with the theme of “Only at the Fair,” a celebration of the agricultural exhibits, entertainment, rides and deep fried food that can only be found in Petaluma during the fair’s five-day run.

“People look forward to the fair all year,” said Sarah Cummings, the CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Fair. “It’s a special time of year.”

The fair opened Wednesday with a concert by jazz-funk ensemble, Tower of Power. Thursday, seniors receive $5 admission. The fair runs through Sunday, June 28, with highlights including an exotic animal exhibit, a Beach Boys concert and the World’s Ugliest Dog contest.

The fair operates on the 64-acre site in the heart of Petaluma through a $1 per year lease with the city. The lease expires in 2023, but city leaders and fair officials are already in talks over whether to renew the deal.

“We’re happy to be working with the city,” Cummings said. “I’m hopeful we can come to a mutual agreement.”

Cummings said the fair is Petaluma’s chance to showcase it’s agrarian roots. Livestock will be on display throughout the fair with judged events each day.

A favorite with the kids, the Great American Pig Race is held each day at 7:30 p.m.

A unique feature of the fair is the all-inclusive admission price, Cummings said. For $15 ($10 kids 4 to 12 and seniors 65 or older), visitors get unlimited rides and entertainment.

“You can ride until you’re blue in the face,” Cummings said.

As Petaluma is the gateway to Wine Country, the Sonoma-Marin Fair again hosts the North of the Gate Wine Competition. Award-winning wines will be poured each day during the fair accompanied by culinary demonstrations.

This year, the fair has partnered with Petaluma Transit. Those who ride the bus to the fair will receive $2 off on admission to enjoy all the unique things that only come around once a year, Cummings said.

“It’s about embracing the classics at the fair,” she said. “My favorite thing is seeing the excitement on people’s faces when they arrive. You can go back to being a kid.”

(Contact Matt Brown at matt.brown@arguscou rier.com. On Twitter @MattBrownAC.)

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