Ag-Ventureland at the 2018 fair

Learning never stops at the Sonoma-Marin Fair as this year’s theme of Beyond The Milky Way brings together the FUNdamentals of STEM.|

The Sonoma-Marin Fair is featuring a hands-on spotlight this summer on science, technology, engineering and math with the premiers of a new Ag-Ventureland exhibit debuting June 20 to 24.

“The most exciting part of this year’s fair is the ability for all the youngsters to interact with the hands-on aspects of agriculture,” says Ruth McClure, president of the board of directors for the fair. “We learn by doing when it comes to STEM-related businesses and Ag-Ventureland is a chance for the general public to get reacquainted with Sonoma-Marin’s agricultural roots”

The community will get to meet the farmers of the future in the livestock area as young animal scientists who participate in FFA and 4-H showcase the best of their herds. From animal husbandry and farm biosecurity to grooming and care, fair attendees can learn all about what makes Sonoma’s local agricultural communities great. The animals will be strutting their stuff in the Livestock Shows as beef and dairy cows, sheep, goats, chickens and rabbits line up for their blue ribbons. Top it all off with a demo at the Milking Barn and put a cherry on top at the Clover Ice Cream Giveaway.

Ag-Ventureland will be an interactive farm experience where kids can learn to milk a cow, rope a steer, pedal a tractor, and so much more. This unique play area incorporates fun and educational activities that mimic everyday chores on a modern farm. Get the kids involved with the foundations of farming like learning where your food comes from, and mix in some creativity over at the craft and face-painting station.

The Butterfly Adventures garden will be an eye-opening show of over 1,000 native butterfly species. Visitors can experience the magic of seeing them up close with nectar feeding sticks to bring the experience right into their hands.

The MindWorks exhibit will get kids’ gears turning with hands on STEM/STEAM games. With large scale games of skill and strategy like Chess, Checkers, Connect Four, Battleship, Simon Says, Scrabble, Jenga, and Operation, there are hours of fun to be had. Build with magnets, giant foam blocks and wood blocks, or challenge your mind with chunky wood puzzles, metal tavern puzzles, and jumbo jigsaw puzzles.

This summer’s Sonoma-Marin Fair is all about the brain food alongside the carnival food. You’ll have fun science and learning galore, starting with experiential discovery brought to you by the North Bay Science Discovery Day.

Foodwise, Clo’s Imagination Station will host an old fashioned funnel cake-eating contest daily at 1 and 3 p.m.

Fairgoers can look forward to five days of affordable fun with a pay-one-price entry. Tickets include unlimited carnival rides, headlining entertainment, contests, games, and activities all included in the price of admission. On Wednesday, everyone is a kid for Kids’ Day and gets into the fair for just $12 until 5 p.m. Thursday is Seniors’ Day, which allows individuals 65 years or older entrance for $6. Friday honors our heroes by discounting admission to $15 for law enforcement, fire department personnel, and active or reserve military with a government ID.

The theme of the 2018 Sonoma-Marin Fair is “Beyond the Milky Way.” For details, visit sonoma-marinfair.org or call 283-3247.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.