The San Mateo County Fair Is In Full Swing
If there’s one thing I love, it’s county fairs. I’ll travel throughout the state to attend the different fairs when they’re around. I love the smell of the fair food, the screams of teens enjoying the various rides, the calls of the stand owners enticing you into popping balloons, and the view of the lights while riding the ferris wheel at night. Not to mention any live acts performing It doesn’t get much better than that if you ask me.
That’s why I’m so excited to let you know that the San Mateo County Fair is now running! It started on June the 10th, but don’t worry. It’s a nine day fair so it’ll continue until June the 18th. So you haven’t missed your chance to get in one the fun. Adults are only $12 to get in and kids ages six to twelve are $10. Any kids under six are free, so get the whole family together! (But don’t forget the $12 parking fee.)
Certain people can also get into the fair at no cost at all. If you’re an active duty military member, then you can show your ID for free entry on any fair day. If you are a retired or otherwise inactive military member and show your ID, you can get it for less than half the cost at only $5 on any fair day. On Tuesday the 13th, those over 62 years of age also receive free admission. And everyone gets free admission before 3pm on Wednesday the 14th. Students who bring a school ID on Friday the 16th get $5 admission to let their young imaginations run wild and try out the hands on science experiments available for all ages.
For what’s going on throughout the week, those admission prices are great. I’m looking forward to Tuesday the 13th the most. They’re putting on a “Laser Spectacular” showcase with Pink Floyd music to accompany it. Talk about a rocking party. And on Saturday the 17th, the legendary band Smash Mouth will take the stage to entertain fairgoers. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to hear them without paying steep concert prices.
Musical acts not your cup of tea? No worries. There is plenty of free entertainment going on throughout the fairgrounds. Dennis Forel is known for his singular balloon animals. Instead of taking multiple balloons to make a critter, he uses only one. And somehow he has a knowledge base of hundreds of animals! There will also be a Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean) impressionist that is quite convincing. He even has a monkey. If you want hands on fun, check out the petting zoo filled with local and exotic animals for you to get up close and personal with.
For another extra touch of community fun, consider entering one of the daily competitions the San Mateo County Fair has going on. They’re free to enter for anyone walking around the fair, so why not give it a shot. Some of the many competitions that are available include hula hoops, watermelon eating, apple bobbing, and limbo. Do you have what it takes to claim first place or will you walk away in shame? Good luck!
If all of this sounds like fun that you want to partake in, then be sure to check out www.sanmateocountyfair.com for more information and to purchase tickets online for concerts and activities. And download the official fair app to find maps, a schedule of events, and a list of vendors. Remember that all the fun ends June 18th, so be there or be square!
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to share it on Facebook or Twitter so your friends and family can have the chance to experience the fair as well. And comment below if you’ve been to the fair and, if so, what was your favorite part of it? I look forward to reading all your fair fun stories!
