Stanislaus county fair opens THIS Friday

     Turlock - Like a sixth sense, or being able to smell the rain before
it arrives, Stanislaus County residents can sense the excitement in the air
as the Stanislaus County Fair opens this Friday.

     The Stanislaus Fair opens this Friday, July 27, for a 10-day run.
The 72-acre fairground is located at 900 N. Broadway in Turlock.  Now in its
96th year, fair officials have been working year round to plan for the
annual family extravaganza.

     "The entire staff has pulled together to produce what we think may be one of
the most exciting fairs in years," said Tony Leo, chief executive officer of
the Stanislaus County Fair. "With this year's Summer Safari theme, we've
packed the grounds with adventure around every corner. There are discount
days to suit the entire family, free celebrity concerts every night and with
discount tickets available online through July 26 guests can get an
incredible value for their admission."

     Fair admission tickets and unlimited ride wristbands can be purchased and
printed from an individual's personal computer via the fair's web site at
www.stancofair.com now through closing day of
the fair.  However, discounts apply on purchases made before Thursday, July
26 at 7 p.m. This brand new feature makes purchasing fair fun quick and
convenient, saves fair guests money if they purchase by the discount
deadline, plus saves time at the admission gates.

     Fair guests will be whisked away to distant lands as they visit each
of the safari-themed exhibits available throughout the fairgrounds. Take a
trip through a tropical rainforest with Safari Sadie on her Rubber Jungle
Review in the Sky Trek Kids Zone. With balloon animals, song and dance and a
thrilling safari story, this is one show the family won't want to miss. 
Guests can get up close and personal with some new faces from far
off places at the Wildlife Experience Show and Animal Encounters. Audiences
will be wowed as they are introduced to exotic animals, great and small. The
Wildlife Experience begins with an up-close animal encounter at the Garden
Stage, sponsored by AT&T, and continues with the full show in the Sky Trek
Kids Zone.

     Travel around the world without ever leaving the Midway, sponsored by Taco
Bell. The Himalaya takes you on a spin through the Alps, the all new Flying
Swinger comes to your hometown all the way from Italy and the Starship 2000
will take you all the way to outer space. 

     New for the 2007 fair, there are 10 celebrity concerts included with your
fair admission. There are more comfortable seats at the newly renovated
Budweiser Variety Free Stage and with jumbo screens also showing the
concert, there won't be a bad seat in the house.

     With six stages filled with entertainment each night of its 10-day run, the
fair has something to offer every member of the family. 
The Budweiser Variety Free Stage lineup includes:

* Smash Mouth: Friday, July 27 at 8:30 p.m.
* LeAnn Rimes: Saturday, July 28 at 8:30 p.m.
* Tanya Tucker and The Bellamy Brothers: Sunday, July 29 at
8:30 p.m.
* Mark Shultz and Big Daddy Weave: Monday, July 30 at 8:30
p.m.
* Triple Threat Tour: Restless Heart, BlawkHawk and Little
Texas: Tuesday, July 31 at 8:30 p.m.
* Blake Shelton: Wednesday, Aug. 1 at 8:30 p.m.
* REO Speedwagon: Thursday, Aug. 2 at 8:30 p.m. (Note: Hootie
& the Blowfish will not appear tonight as previously scheduled, due to
illness of the lead singer.)
* The Guess Who: Friday, Aug. 3 at 8:30 p.m.
* Adbacadabra - the ultimate ABBA concert: Saturday Aug. 4 at
8:30 p.m.
* Ana Bárbara: Sunday, Aug. 5 at 8:30 p.m.
In addition to the Budweiser Variety Free Stage entertainment
included with fair gate admission, tickets are on sale now for motorsports
madness in the fair's FoodMaxx Arena including:
* Tuff Truks (featuring Big Foot and Shocker Monster Trucks):
Friday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m.
* Truck and Tractor Pulls (featuring Big Foot and Shocker
Monster Trucks): Saturday, July 28 at 7 p.m.
* Cavalcade of Wagons  followed by Pack Scramble: Sunday, July
29 at  6:30 p.m. (FREE with price of fair admission)
* Destruction Derby I: Traditional Turmoil: Monday, July 30 at
7:30 p.m.
Ticket Info: Reserved seating for this show sold out in less
than 20 minutes. However, 1,200 general admission seats (bleacher
seating) will go on sale at 5 p.m. the day of the event at the FoodMaxx
Arena Box Office.
* Destruction Derby II: Metal Mayhem: Tuesday, July 31 at 7:30
p.m.
* NEW! Quad Drags and Motorcycle Jumpers: Wednesday, Aug. 1 at
7:30 p.m.
* CCPRA Rodeo: Thursday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. (FREE with price of
fair admission)
* NEW! QuadCross and Pee Wee Bikes: Friday, Aug. 3 at 7:30
p.m. 
* Motocross: Saturday, Aug. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
* NEW! Mud Bogs: Sunday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m.

     Motorsports event ticket pricing information and the fair's complete 10-day
schedule of events are available online now at www.stancofair.com.
The Stanislaus County Fair is now in its 96th year. The 2007 fair opens
Friday, July 27 for a 10-day run. The theme of this year's fair, "Summer
Safari," will provide a great adventure for kids and adults alike. Discount
carnival and admission tickets for the 2007 fair, as well as tickets for
motorsports events in the FoodMaxx Arena are now on sale. To buy and print
eTickets for fair admission and unlimited ride wristbands, from the
convenience of your own computer, or for the other methods of purchase
available, please visit www.stancofair.com. 

     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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