Stanislaus County Fair – 2002

900 North Broadway, Turlock CA 95380

(209) 668-1333

For Immediate Release:

May 6, 2002

For further information:

Pennie C. Rorex, Publicity Director

Office: (209) 667-7024

Rock, country and derby fans gobble up Stanislaus County Fair show tickets!

Turlock--Tickets for the Stanislaus County Fair went on sale just three days ago and some shows are already sold out!

The Destruction Derby sold out in less than one hour!  By Monday morning, less than 500 tickets were left for the Lynyrd Skynyrd concert!  And, country music fans are grabbing Martina McBride tickets faster than she can sing “Wild angels!”

            Close to 400 music and derby fans were in line on Saturday, May 4, when tickets for the Stanislaus County Fair’s always-popular arena attractions and two headliner concerts went on sale.  “This was one of the biggest crowds we’ve seen in line since tickets.com implemented the random number distribution line control procedures to eliminate “camping out” for a place in line, and to ensure that each ticket customer has an equal chance at being the first in line,” said Pennie Rorex, spokesperson for the Stanislaus County Fair.

            More than 50 percent of the tickets purchased for this year’s Fair events were purchased on-line and through tickets.com by telephone.

            Rorex suggested that Martina McBride fans act now because with only 40 percent of the pre-sale arena floor and grandstand seating tickets remain.  “Martina McBride fans who do not act soon could be left empty handed and disappointed,” said Rorex. 

            For both the Lynyrd Skynyrd concert on July 29 and the Martina McBride concert on July 30, there will be general admission tickets available on the day of the concert.  However, those 600 general admission tickets will be only available one a first-come, first-serve basis inside the fair gate. “General admission tickets are $16 and are for bleacher seating at each end of the arena,” said Rorex. 

            The Destruction Derby is always a sell-out.  “It usually sells out by noon,” explained Rorex.  “But, this year the Derby was sold out in an hour!”  Like the Skynyrd and McBride concerts, there will be general admission tickets available for the Destruction Derby the day of the event.  The derby is slated for Thursday, August 1.

General admission tickets (bleacher seating) for the derby are $8 for adults and $6 for children.

“The Destruction Derby is popular for a variety of reasons, but especially because of the many local drivers.  Friends, family and neighbors turn out in record numbers to support their favorite derby driver,” shared Rorex.

Tickets still remain for the following arena events:

There are five convenient ways to purchase arena event tickets:

1.  Tickets can be purchased in person at the Stanislaus County Fair office, located at 900 N. Broadway in Turlock.  The ticket office will be open on each weekday thereafter from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased with cash, VISA or MasterCard (checks are not accepted). 

2. Mail order: To request an order-by-mail form please call the Fair office at 668-1333 or 524-2660. Or, you may log onto the Fair’s web site at stancofair.com and download the order form.

3. Telephone: Arena event tickets can be ordered by telephone by calling 1-800-225-BASS.  A nominal customer convenience fee will be added to the price of the event ticket by tickets.com.

4.  Online: Arena event tickets can be ordered online at www.tickets.com. A nominal customer convenience fee will be added to the price of the event ticket by tickets.com.

5.  Tickets.com Outlets: Arena event tickets can be purchased through ticket outlets which are located in Raley’s Supermarkets in Manteca; Merced; Modesto; Ceres; and Turlock.

In addition to arena event tickets, fair gate admission and carnival coupons also go on sale on Saturday, May 4.  Fair gate admission and carnival coupons are only available at the Fair office and by mail order.

• Pre-sale adult fair admission (available only until July 13) is available for $5 per adult (normally $7 per adult) 

• Child fair admission (age 6 to 12) is available for $2 per child

• Carnival pre-sale ride coupons are available for $15 (until 5:00 p.m. on July 26)

•  Carnival pre-sale ride coupons can be used for either one unlimited ride wristband on one weeknight only (Monday through Friday).  Or, the pre-sale ride coupon can be used for 30 ride tickets (rides take two to five tickets each). 

The Stanislaus County Fair is now in its 91^st year.  The 2002 Fair opens Friday, July 26 for a 10-day run.  The theme of this year’s Fair is “Through the Eyes of a Child.”  Last year, a record-number of family members enjoyed the Fair as attendance topped 215,000 visitors.

The mission of the Stanislaus County Fair is to provide a family and community oriented experience promoting agriculture, education, entertainment and technology.

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