Sonoma gears up for the Sonoma-Marinfair this weekend

Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma runs through June 25|

The agricultural history of the area will be celebrated and on display at the annual Sonoma-Marin Fair this week, starting June 21 and running through June 25, with the theme of “Great Eggspectations.”

“The Sonoma-Marin Fair is all about creating a hometown, all-American Fair for our fairgoers,” say its organizers.

The fair features exhibits, demonstrations, wine tasting, funnel cakes and corn dogs, live concerts, carnival rides, sprint car racing and the internationally-famous World’s Ugliest Dog Contest. Carnival rides and concerts are included in the price of fair admission, which ranges from $10 to $15 in advance, or $12 to $18 at the gate.

This year’s concert line-up include rhythm-and-blues favorite Tower of Power on June 21; country singer Jana Kramer on June 22; the ‘80s rock band Loverboy on June 23; and country singer John Michael Montgomery of the Montgomery Gentry duo on June 24. All of these concerts start at 8 p.m., and the price for the concert is included in the fair admission price.

The fair this year will also feature the 2017 Fiesta Latina, featuring Grupo Brisas del Mar, Bando Toro and Los Angeles Negros, from 3 to 7 p.m. June 25. The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest starts at 6 p.m. June 23 as part of the fair’s Pet Fest running from 2 to 8 p.m. The contest includes the Red Carpet Walk and the Faux Paw Fashion Show, featuring adoptable or previously adopted dogs. The winner of the Ugliest Dog Contest is awarded $1500, a trophy, and is flown to New York for media appearances.

It’s animals, animals and more animals at the Fair. Bring the kiddos to learn all about baby chicks hatching at the incubation stations, exotic reptiles in Eggsceptional Wildlife, to meet a live sloth, stop by the petting zoo, and of course don’t miss the fair barns.

Attendees can spend a day on the farm at Ag-Ventureland, ride a pedal tractor, milk a cow, learning about all of the fun to be had down on the farm. All of the barns are open to the public daily. Drop in on a livestock show and check out what a day as a young farmer looks like.

The Pig Races are a Sonoma-Marin Fair hometown favorite. Come down to cheer on the fastest piglet.

Wine lovers can participate in food and wine tasting at the Fair on Saturday, June 24 from 4 to 8 p.m.. Award-winning wineries will be pouring their gold medal winners, and tickeholders can enjoy appetizers and live music along with the wine. Tickets are sold separately from fair admission for $15, and includes three wine tastes, a souvenir glass and unlimited food tastes.

There will also be daily chef demonstrations in the Culinary Pavilion.

Doors open on June 21 and the fair runs through June 25 at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma.

The fair is expected to draw more than 60,000 attendees over its five days. sonoma-marinfair.org

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