'Come on Down to River Town' at the Sonoma-Marin Fair

June 21, 2006

The 67th annual Sonoma-Marin Fair opens its five-day run Wednesday, June 21 in Petaluma. The noon to midnight fair offers five days of affordable family entertainment from musical concerts to hypnotists to contests to exhibits to the carnival. The pay-one-price means that all this is included with admission.

Come on Down to River Town

This year's fair theme is "Come on Down to River Town" in celebration of the Petaluma River. In addition to the general river décor throughout the fair, the fair has put together a themed exhibit in the Herzog Building which includes a sunken treasure boat with treasures for kids, and historical photos of the Petaluma River dating back to the turn of the century.

The Fly Tying Chronicles is a demonstration of innovative fly-tying methods for anglers. The exhibit houses more than 100 photos of different bird species found in Petaluma's Shollenberger Park. The Sea Scouts of Petaluma are the focus of a display featuring memorabilia from the organization from the last 80 years.

Daily contests celebrate the river theme and include a fly-tying competition, smoked fish contest and a fish liar's contest. Judges will determine who brings the best Petaluma picnic basket and dons the best river wear outfit. All entrants get in free to the fair. For details, see the Sonoma-Marin Fair Web site at www.yourfair.org.

World's Ugliest Dog Contest

The World's Ugliest Dog Contest has gone international. Television crews from the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Japan and Los Angeles are coming Friday at 6:30 p.m. to witness the contest. With the death of last year's winner, Li'l Sam, the field is wide open with contestants flying in from New York, Philadelphia, Florida, Colorado, and Southern California to vie for the coveted title.

Wine Garden

Some of the finest wines in Northern California are being poured every day at the Wine Garden. Fairgoers will taste sweepstakes and gold medal-winning wines from the Savor Magazine North of the Gate Wine Competition. Wine lovers pay $7.50 for a glass and three tastings and $1.50 for each taste thereafter.

Chef demonstrations

Chefs from fine restaurants in the North Bay will demonstrate the preparation of everything from tamales to turkeys. Several bakers will demonstrate the preparation of pies to candies. In keeping with the River Town theme, a number of chefs will be showing how to prepare fish. These demonstrations run about every two hours in the Showcase Building.

In Box technology and innovation

This exhibit showcases electric cars and scooters, a solar fountain, alternative energy and fuel displays, including a methane conversion model. Computer junkies can explore the latest Internet and telecommunications equipment or hop onto the available computer work stations. They can ask experts about any issue related to their PC or Mac.

Exhibits

The heart of a country fair is its exhibits. The Sonoma-Marin Fair offers four buildings of adult and junior exhibits. Fairgoers can enjoy the unusual (decorated shoes to scarecrows) to the home arts (quilts to jams) and the industrial (welding to architectural drawings) to the traditional (sheep to cows).

Kid fun

Children will enjoy more than 100 different attractions from Clo's Corner Kid Park to Brad's World Reptiles. Tours of the agricultural barns and visits to the Baby Farm Animals as well as the Exotic Petting Zoo will satisfy the animal lovers. The John Deere Kids' Tractor Pull will test kids' mettle. Children under 4 can also earn their driving licenses at the new ToddlersÕ Driving Games. Roving shows include the Short Attention Span Circus and the Procrastinators playing an assortment of whimsical instruments.

Catch and release tank

The world's largest traveling aquarium demonstration tank, a 41-foot-wide tank holding 7,500 gallons of water and lots of healthy fish, will give kids 12 and under the opportunity to do practice catch-and-release fishing with professional supervision. The tank's transparent walls and exclusive current system allow the crowd to see how fish react to both bait and structure in river settings.

Bike stunts

At the Giant Bicycle Stunt Show, Rob Nolli, a US Open Championship winner and ESPN X-Games finalist and other riders will perform choreographed stunts, both on the ground and in the air. Among other moves, the audience will witness mid-air turns and back flips. By the end of the performance, riders reach heights up to 25 feet above the ground. Young spectators are reminded about the importance of safety gear and safe riding.

Carnival rides

The Sonoma-Marin Fair offers the pay-one-price admission to the fair that gives attendees unlimited carnival rides along with admission to the fair and all its attractions. For kids ages 4 to 12, that's $9. New to the Kiddie Rides area this year are Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Safari Train, Dizzy Dragons and a traditional ferris wheel. For more experienced riders, the midway will feature the Super Bumper Cars (lots of cars), the Fantazma (a two-story haunted house), and a new fun house called the Thriller. Also back by popular demand are the Ranger, Tsunami, Falling Star and the Starship 2000.

Baseball fun

The Pitch-Hit-Run Fun event for kids ages 6 to 13 takes place Friday, June 23. It runs from 10 a.m. to noon with a baseball clinic, followed by lunch and admission to the fair for a special price of $12. Baseball coach Dolf Hes will direct a team of college and high school coaches in fly balls, pitching, catching, and hitting practice for kids. Gate opens at 9 a.m. Family members may accompany children but pay regular admission prices.

Headliners

Three rocking country bands play on Wednesday, opening day. Triple Threat includes Restless Heart, Blackhawk and Little Texas. On Thursday, country star Tracy Lawrence entertains. hip hop singer Uncle Kracker plays on Friday and classic rock's Grand Funk Railroad on Saturday. The Jazz and Blues Festival runs Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. on the Kiwanis Stage and features Craig Chaquico and the Peter Welker Sextet. Also on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. on the Bud Light Stage is the Latino Music Festival with Mike Diaz as well as El Milagro and Grupo Reventon.

Destruction Derby

The Destruction Derby on Sunday at 7 p.m. at the fairgrounds raceway brings the fair to a close with 100 tons of colliding metal. Admission is $5 over the cost of fair admission, running a total of $19 for adults (13 and over), $14 for juniors and seniors, and $5 for under age 4.

Tickets

Fairgoers may purchase fair tickets at the gate or online at www.yourfair.org throughout the fair. Online tickets may be printed out at home and will be scanned at the gate. The price of admission is $14 for adults (13 and up), $9 for juniors (4 to 12), $8 for seniors (65 and up), and under 4 are free. Add $5 for the Destruction Derby.

SONOMA-MARIN FAIR

When: June 21 to June 25, Noon to midnight

Where: Petaluma Fairgrounds, east Washington and Payran streets.

Tickets: Adults (13 and up) $14, juniors (4 to 12) $9, seniors (65 and over) $8, children under 4 free. Add $5 for Demolition Derby tickets. Tickets are available at www.yourfair.org or at the gate.