Fair a hit with county residents

Most of Petaluma waits with excitement and anticipation for the Sonoma-Marin Fair, the momentous event that arrives every year at the beginning of summer.

The 73rd annual Sonoma-Marin Fair kicked off Wednesday and continues through Sunday, June 24 with a "Straight to the Golden Gate" theme celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The fair delights all with an array of rides and games to suit all ages, delicious carnival food and a plethora of livestock for viewing. The entertainment never falls short.

While the fair is situated at the south end of Sonoma County, people come from all over to enjoy themselves at the fair.

"This one worker allowed my little cousin to play a game for free because she knew he wouldn't win it, but it was so cute to see him try and have fun doing it," said fairgoer Amanda Prentice, a senior at Santa Rosa High School. "The best thing about going to the fair for me is meeting new people and making new friends each year. I love that the Sonoma-Marin fair is so relaxed, versus the Sonoma County Fair."

The fair opened on Wednesday to warm weather and steady crowds, many of whom stayed to see the popular '80s band War perform in the evening.

"Fair attendance was up opening day," said Karen Spencer, spokesperson for the fair.

The patrons are not the only ones to take joy in the fair; Ken Keiffer, the engineer of the train that takes guests on tours of the fair, thoroughly appreciates and savors the kick he gets out of his job.

"Everything about working at the fair is amazing, from the front to the back and everything in between," Keiffer said.

Keiffer knows when a fair is successful. He's been in the industry for many years.

"For the past 35 years, I've been giving tours at fairs," Keiffer said. "The best thing about the Sonoma-Marin fair is that it's family oriented, there is something here for every member of the family to do. I'm proud to have this job, but it's more than a job, it's an adventure."

In celebration of the Golden Gate Bridge's 75th anniversary, the fair offers a variety of educational, historic and contemporary exhibits are planned, including a a 45-foot bus turned into an art canvas with a painting of the bridge and a 48-foot replica of the Golden Gate leading into the wine garden area of the fair.

Other fair highlights include the World Ugliest Dog Contest and the Dog Lovers Festival on Friday, June 22 and the Destruction Derby on Sunday, June 24.

The concert lineup this includes Lonestar on Friday, June 22 and 38 Special on Saturday, June 23. Fiesta Latina, featuring three Latin bands, takes place Sunday, June 24.

Not to mention, the Sonoma-Marin Fair is chock-full of activities and entertainment for every interest, from livestock exhibits, contests and carnival rides to chefs demonstrations and tastings of wines from the North of the Gate Wine Competition.

Fair ticket prices include admission to carnival rides and are as follows: Adults: $15; Children 4-12: $10; Seniors 65 and up: $10.

For more information, and to view a complete schedule of fair events, go online to www.sonoma-marinfair.org.

(Contact the writers at argus@arguscourier.com)

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