TURLOCK FAIR WELCOMED FAIR GUESTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Turlock – Guests from 14 countries and 46 states visited the Stanislaus County Fair that wrapped up Sunday.

            Big scaly reptiles, a newly expanded concert venue and exciting new motorsport events were some of the attractions that drew 219,050 visitors to the Stanislaus County Fair.  The fair opened on Friday, July 27 and concluded its 96^th annual run on Sunday, Aug. 5. 

            “This community is proud of the Stanislaus County Fair,” said Tony Leo, chief executive officer. “This is evidenced by the fact that residents picked our fair as a destination at which to entertain their summer visitors from around the globe.” 

            The fair welcomed visitors from Austria, Bavaria, Canada, China, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Sweden and Wales. 

            Guests from coast to coast visited the Stanislaus County Fair, representing 46 states, including Alaska, Hawaii and New York. 

            The fair’s newly expanded Budweiser Variety Free Stage was a hit with performers and fair guests alike.  For the first time at this fair, all concerts were included with the price of admission.  “LeAnn Rimes was one of the most sought-after concerts of the summer,” shared Leo.  “Our fair continues to be packed with value, including the 10 celebrity concerts included with admission.” 

Leo shared that more than 26,500 individual entries—from apple pie to market beef to zinnias—were exhibited at this year’s fair. 

            More than 500 animals were sold at the 43^rd annual Junior Livestock Auction on Saturday, Aug. 4. Auction highlights include the sale of Justin Meyer’s 4-H Reserve Grand Champion poultry meat pen (two chickens).  The award-winning chickens sold for $275 per pound, for a total sale of $2,750 for the pair.  The 1,250-pound Supreme Champion Market Steer, raised by Kyle Mendes from the Modesto High School FFA, sold for $8 per pound—garnering $10,000 for the high school student’s livestock project.

The FoodMaxx Arena was filled with excitement during the fair’s 10-day run, too. Capacity crowds filled the stands for the three most popular events—Destruction Derby I, Destruction Derby II and the Truck and Tractor Pulls. 

The 2008 Stanislaus County Fair will open on Friday, July 25 for a 10-day run.  The theme of the 2008 fair is “Fun in a Nutshell.”

The mission of the Stanislaus County Fair is to provide a family and community oriented experience promoting agriculture, entertainment and technology.  For more information about the Stanislaus County Fair log onto www.stancofair.com.

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