Sonoma County Fair plans special events for ‘Holidaze’ theme

As you may have seen on promotions, the theme of this year’s Sonoma County Fair is the holidays. Which ones, you ask? Behold this day-by-day breakdown:

Aug. 3 - Easter. Put on your Bunny Ears. Kids of all ages will love coloring eggs and hunting for them. The highlight of the evening is a Sock Hop, with the Hot Rods Band playing music from the ’50s. This is the first day of horse racing, and race fans are invited to join the Hat Contest, with a division for Easter bonnets. Wear your best pastel colors.

Aug. 4 - New Year’s Eve and Grandparents Day. Grandparents Day takes place on the first Friday of the Fair. Kids can bring their grandparents to enjoy a New Year’s Eve Countdown with a balloon drop. After dark, the Fair will have another take on a New Year’s Eve Countdown, ending with a “Light Stick Light Show.” Bring out that bedazzled T-shirt.

Aug. 5-6 - Winter Holidays. Put on your holiday hat and enjoy the winter festivities. Fairgoers will be able to decorate gingerbread houses, wreaths and trees. Don’t miss the Fruitcake Toss and Present Pile-Up. A perfect day for red.

Aug. 7 - Earth Day. Learn how to have a positive impact on the environment through entertainment and educational opportunities. Green Fest will take place all afternoon, to promote environmental values and companies producing Earth-friendly and green-certified products. Kids and adults can take part in a Nature Scavenger Hunt. Flash those natural fibers and tie-dye.

Aug. 8 - Veterans Day and Independence Day. Free admission for those in uniform, with valid military ID, this day only. The fair’s daily parade will include color guards. Live music by Guard Experience, from the 40th Infantry Division Band from the California Army National Guard and the Air Force Band from Travis Air Force Base.

Aug. 9 - Talk Like A Pirate Day. Contests will include Pirate Swagger and the Look Like a Pirate costume competition. Test your endurance with a Tankard Lift contest. Wait for it: swashbuckler shirt.

Aug. 10 - St. Patrick’s Day. Wear green clothing, so you don’t get pinched, and enjoy some green beer. Dress up the kids for the Little Leprechaun Costume Contest.

Aug. 11 - Valentine’s Day. Celebrate with love songs from Court ’n Disaster, or you can even get married, or renew your vows on the giant Ferris wheel. Pre-fair sign-ups required. If you’re doing the nuptials, white, of course.

Aug. 12 - Halloween & Thanksgiving - Donate to the Thanksgiving Food Drive and get $4 off fair admission. Make an Easy Bake pumpkin pie and grab a team to join the Mummy Wrap contest, or wear your best costume to go trick-or-treating.

Aug. 13 - Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos, and The Zombie Gathering. Trick-or-treating continues with more contests. Dress up as a zombie and mill around the fairgrounds at The Zombie Gathering. Face painting will be available if you forget your zombie costume.