Sonoma-Marin Fair keeps it local

Your guide to entertainment at the fair, running through June 26|

Petaluma’s expansive fairgrounds have come to life for the 77th annual Sonoma-Marin Fair, with carnival rides twirling, live music pumping from the speakers and a pack of homely canines lining up to once again vie for the title of “The World’s Ugliest Dog.”

This year’s theme is “Sonoma-Marin Fair Goes Local,” which the fair’s newest CEO, Erin Post, says is a nod to the thriving community that’s supported the fair for nearly eight decades.

“The ‘go local’ theme is important to the community because part of our mission statement is to highlight heritage and history - it’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate how that has happened in the past and how we’re doing that today,” said Post, who was hired this March. “There are so many wonderful businesses in Marin and Sonoma countries to highlight for the state to see and for guests to see how lucky we are to live in this area and to celebrate the history.”

Post said the fair, which runs until June 26, will feature entertainment for the entire family, continuing a longstanding summer tradition for the county that will draw an expected 60,000 attendees.

“The fair is truly quintessential for Petaluma and Marin and Sonoma Counties. It highlights our area - the agriculture the people and the community - and we really strive to put on a wonderful event,” she said.

This year’s music lineup kicked off with soul band Tower of Power on June 22, and will continue with top country singer Joe Nicols, who will take the stage at 8 p.m. June 24. The following night, the Oklahoma City-based rock group Hinder will perform at 8 p.m., with county sweetheart LeAnn Rimes set to perform at 8 p.m. June 25.

The curtain closes on the fair with the 2016 Fiesta Latina from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m June 26, featuring Banda Pachuco, Rocio y Su Sonora and El Tiempo. Admission, which is $15 for adults at the gate ($10 for children ages 4-12 and for seniors 65 and older) includes unlimited rides and entertainment. Seniors get in for $5 on June 24. Those who ride Petaluma Transit to the fair, and request a transfer ticket, receive $2 off fair admission.

Other highlights of the fair include an exhibit that will showcase local innovations and the 16th Annual North of the Gate Wine Competition, with the award-winning wines to be featured in the fair’s wine garden. A new swoops trail bike race show, where audiences can watch dirt bikers show off their skills navigating through a technical balancing course made of cars, tires and other obstacles, will be featured for an additional $5.

In addition to various livestock shows, the famed World’s Ugliest Dog contest will be held on the Kiwanas stage at 6 p.m. June 24, with radio personalities Bob and Sheri hosting the event. This year’s judges will be Neal Gottlieb, the founder of Three Twins Ice Cream, Brian Sobel, the principal consultant for Petaluma-based Sobel Communications and ABC Weather Anchor and Meteorologist Indra Petersons.

Chef Amber Balshaw of Preferred Sonoma Caterers; Josh Cerda and Ryan Taylor of Panizzera Meat Co., Executive Chef Thaddeus Palmese of TIPS Tri Tip Trolley and Holistic Nutrition Consultant Thais Harris will join a handful of other local chefs for cooking demos spread across the weekend, showcasing culinary creations such as sausages, jams and scones.

The fair will also feature “Great American Pig Races,” a funnel cake eating contest, plenty of fair food and karaoke, with local musicians playing on various stages throughout the day. The fair also boasts exhibits featuring wheel barrow gardens, photography, baking, welding, adult and youth exhibits.

Other features include a petting zoo, kids crafts, agricultural showcases and various entertainers.

For more details and a full schedule, visit sonoma-marinfair.org.

(Contact Hannah Beausang at hannah.beausang@arguscourier.com. On Twitter @hannahbeausang.)

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